Florence - January or August

Old Jun 2nd, 2008, 06:52 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Florence - January or August

I know this is like asking how long is a piece of string, but here goes.

I have the bug to hit Europe again and we would like to go to Florence on our next trip. (We just did Rome for Christmas/New Year's 2007.)

Because of upcoming work and family obligations we have two choices - go to Florence in January 2009 or August 2009, with the obvious pros and cons for each. (Jan cold but uncrowded, August hot and crowded.) We are from NY and we know what cold cities are like and frequently visit Florida in the height of summer.

We would rent an apartment, stay for at least 7 nights and daytrip as well as see the city sights. I am an art curator, so camping out in museums to avoid bad weather is fine with me. Husband is congenial and will do just about anything.

Any suggestions? I am leaning towards January simply because I am impatient!

EvaBryan is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2008, 06:58 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Go in January.

Not only will it be hot and crowded in August, it'll be hot and mobbed - infested with tourists making your visit then quite unpleasant, IMO.
TuckH is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2008, 08:13 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Without a doubt...January.
caroltis is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2008, 08:55 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I generally travel to Italy during the off-season - Jan through March and have been to Florence at least twice in Jan and much prefer it to the summer months let alone August.
PotenzaRon is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2008, 09:00 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
January.

It will be chilly but not heavy winter and the crowds - and hotel rates - will be smaller.

August will be hot as hell - think high 90s and humid - as well as packed to the gills and more expensive.
nytraveler is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2008, 10:19 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
January - for sure!
Margaretlb is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2008, 12:20 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello Eva, you couldn't pay me to be in Florence during the month of August. Florence gets so hot and so humid and muggy. And yes the crowds! Everyone I know that lives in Florence flees that beautiful city during the month of August.

So I would chose January.
LoveItaly is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2008, 08:58 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've been to Florence a dozen times, though never in August. I usually travel off-season. I was there again this year in early March. At the beginning of my visit, Florence was the pleasant city of art that I know and love, with lots of tourists, but not uncomfortably crowded. The last two days of my stay were the beginning of Easter week. The center was amazingly crowded and full of tour groups, a total change from earlier in the week. There were immense lines at the museums. I felt I finally understood the complaints of many who tour Florence in the summer. I couldn't wait to leave the center of town for the quiet of my friend's apartment outside the center.

No contest for me--January!
ellenem is online now  
Old Jun 3rd, 2008, 09:10 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,052
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just be prepared for the fact that Florence will be MUCH colder than Rome in January. I was in Florence in January and absolutely froze even with the proper clothing. From there I went to Rome and it was much warmer so just keep that in mind so that you realize that it will be different from what you experienced in Rome.
LouisaH is online now  
Old Jun 3rd, 2008, 09:47 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
January, without a doubt. You will be able to just walk into the Uffizi and Accademia. No lines.

The last time I was in Florence in January it was about 55F. On the Sunday before I left, it was a glorious 65F and sunny. I took my coat off to stroll around the Boboli Gardens.

Thingorjus

Proenza_Preschooler is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2008, 10:00 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In January 2005, I went to the Uffizi and there was a long lineup at 10 AM. Luckily I had a reservation. So I wouldn't count on there being no lines in January.
WillTravel is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2008, 10:09 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You probably went on a Saturday. You have to go later on in the day, anyway, around 2-ish.

If you do have to stand in line, bring a flask of gin with you. And don't let any Japanese take photos of you--stick them with your hat pin if they try anything shady.

Thingorjus
Proenza_Preschooler is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
IMDonehere
Europe
5
May 5th, 2015 08:39 AM
TXALI
Europe
11
Apr 12th, 2007 11:39 AM
arewethereyet
Europe
9
Jun 5th, 2005 11:19 AM
Mariastefnyc
Europe
4
Jul 23rd, 2004 01:22 PM
rhodcar
Europe
6
Jul 15th, 2004 06:29 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -