Florence
Jun 2nd, 2005, 09:22 AM
#21
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My husband and I like to do new things on trips that we don't get a chance to do at home. Otherwise we would bore ourselves! This is one of the many little adventures that keeps life, and marriage, exciting and alive and new when you are 50 years old...And looking forward to the future!
CAA, do what you want, and enjoy! Personally, I would advise you to skip Florence if you don't want to see the Accademia and Uffizzi or any art museums. The reason is I didn't actually like Florence, too crowded and trafficky and smoggy when I was there last June. Even at 11:00 pm at night the Ponte Vecchio was full of people. We did get to see fireworks one night because they were celebrating Calcio Storico Fiorentino, which happens in June. last year it was around June 24. Others may disagree, but if you are really not going to see the art museums, you might consider skipping florence. How about visiting Siena or one of the many medieval hill-top towns?
We did see the Boboli gardens in Florence, but it was hot and they are spread out in a big area with stairs and hills...I was too hot at the time to enjoy it.
But I loved Rome! Rome is magnificent! I will return to Rome someday...My 23-year-old son and 2 teen daughters and hubby loved Rome as well.
Buon viaggio! Don't feel guilty about what you like! Do consider trying new things, but NOT if it's because you feel guilty or obliged, only if you are looking forward to it.
I'm not a big art fan, but the reason I enjoyed art in Italy is because I read about the awakening that was the Renaissance and how the masters in science and art in Italy contributed to the world...For me, looking at the art was a glimpse into history and into myself.
Also, if you are with a group of family or friends, it's fun to look at modern art and marvel at how one person will see a masterpiece while I see just a mess...
CAA, do what you want, and enjoy! Personally, I would advise you to skip Florence if you don't want to see the Accademia and Uffizzi or any art museums. The reason is I didn't actually like Florence, too crowded and trafficky and smoggy when I was there last June. Even at 11:00 pm at night the Ponte Vecchio was full of people. We did get to see fireworks one night because they were celebrating Calcio Storico Fiorentino, which happens in June. last year it was around June 24. Others may disagree, but if you are really not going to see the art museums, you might consider skipping florence. How about visiting Siena or one of the many medieval hill-top towns?
We did see the Boboli gardens in Florence, but it was hot and they are spread out in a big area with stairs and hills...I was too hot at the time to enjoy it.
But I loved Rome! Rome is magnificent! I will return to Rome someday...My 23-year-old son and 2 teen daughters and hubby loved Rome as well.
Buon viaggio! Don't feel guilty about what you like! Do consider trying new things, but NOT if it's because you feel guilty or obliged, only if you are looking forward to it.
I'm not a big art fan, but the reason I enjoyed art in Italy is because I read about the awakening that was the Renaissance and how the masters in science and art in Italy contributed to the world...For me, looking at the art was a glimpse into history and into myself.
Also, if you are with a group of family or friends, it's fun to look at modern art and marvel at how one person will see a masterpiece while I see just a mess...
Jun 2nd, 2005, 10:54 AM
#23
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Thanks for all of your advice. I am now looking into seeing if I can cut my three night stay in Florence to two so that I will have an extra day in Positano or Rome.
That is true about museums, when I was in Spain last summer I did say why would I go to a museum here when I don't even go at home which is nyc. I don't want to sound uncultured, I do love to travel and see new things.
That is true about museums, when I was in Spain last summer I did say why would I go to a museum here when I don't even go at home which is nyc. I don't want to sound uncultured, I do love to travel and see new things.
Jun 2nd, 2005, 11:31 AM
#24
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You purchase your tickets to the Boboli Gardens at the entrance behind the Pitti Palace.
You don't have to sign up for a tour of the Synogogue of Florence (via Farini). Just go to the synogogue, but not on Saturday (shabaz). I think you have to show your passport at the synogogue for security reasons, and also fill out a form.
You don't have to sign up for a tour of the Synogogue of Florence (via Farini). Just go to the synogogue, but not on Saturday (shabaz). I think you have to show your passport at the synogogue for security reasons, and also fill out a form.
Jun 22nd, 2005, 05:01 AM
#25
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"CAA, do what you want, and enjoy! Personally, I would advise you to skip Florence if you don't want to see the Accademia and Uffizzi or any art museums. The reason is I didn't actually like Florence, too crowded and trafficky and smoggy when I was there last June. Even at 11:00 pm at night the Ponte Vecchio was full of people"
I agree. If you aren't into museums, Florence isn't that great a place, except that the duomo is certainly worth seeing.
I agree. If you aren't into museums, Florence isn't that great a place, except that the duomo is certainly worth seeing.
Jun 22nd, 2005, 05:23 AM
#26
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I was very happily surprised by Florence. We stopped there because it fit into our itinerary, but I didn't really have time to research it. I loved the plaza della Signoria with all the statues - I knew nothing about it, and walking into the plaza and seeing that artwork was fantastic! The Duomo was so different from everything else we had seen that it made a wonderful contrast. And the FOOD - oh my - THE FOOD!!
So - what I learned from that is that sometimes the research gets in the way - and it's kind of fun to roam around a city and find out first hand what there is to do. (The brinde of gold could kill a whole day if you really like jewelry).
So - what I learned from that is that sometimes the research gets in the way - and it's kind of fun to roam around a city and find out first hand what there is to do. (The brinde of gold could kill a whole day if you really like jewelry).
Jun 22nd, 2005, 06:32 AM
#27
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I would agree that you should forget the "museum police" and see what interests you, keeping an open mind for those serendipitous moments when a new interest may be born at the sight of something new. Florence in high tourist summer season mode can be more grim than fun to navigate in hot temperatures & large crowds when you aren't really interested in the thing you are standing in line for....
I personally wouldn't miss many of the museums (and there are many more than the 2 you mentioned that I adore like the Brancacci Chapel and Bargello), but there's also architecture & historical sites & views from Fiesole & gardens & May Festival cultural events that go beyond May & high end shopping & leatherworking workshops & culinary experiences, etc. Hard to single any out when I don't know YOUR particular interests. Some Florentine highlights are mentioned by others here & many are covered this site in detail & can be retrieved by searching on Florence.
But, with no intent to offend, I can't help feeling some sadness in reading some of the above more blanket categorical comments about not being interested in museums. Yes, even without background knowledge, some people can have unanticipated & strong emotional reactions to a piece of art, sculpture, building etc. or to a concert of unfamiliar music. More often, in my experience, people are curious about & enjoy what they have in some measure prepared or been prepared for....by prior experience & exposure, classroom or personal study, association via friends' knowledge/experience, etc. To know the context in which something was produced, or the personal story behind it, adds to the experience. It is why many of us take ScalaReale/Context Rome & other guided tours from time to time, as well.
Sadly, it seems to me there is less & less easy & natural exposure (at least in the US) to this kind of material as our young people are growing up, so when they travel at an older age, they "have no interest" and don't see that they are missing anything. Can't blame them, really. Who wants to take a crash course in Italian Renaissance art, for example, in preparation for a European holiday? Very few can or would, and that is entirely understandable. Had some classroom teachers, influential adults in my life and peers with different life experiences not taken hold of me from an early age and exposed me to the arts in a major way but in small doses, I too would have missed out on a lot over my travel years & never realized just how much I'd missed.
That said, even within the arts (and I use the word in a broad sense), there are differing tastes! And, different comfortable "dosages." Florence museums will not appeal to all, and most who do visit the museums will limit to a few choices so as not to miss out on other fun in a generally short vacation time frame.
Sorry for the mild rant. No, I don't think it's a crime that others choose to eliminate museums as a category of interest though I value them very highly when I travel. But, it does sadden me.
After all, it isn't the museum, in most cases, that is of interest, it is appreciation for what the museum may hold within it. To see a masterpiece you've (hopefully) studied or heard about from TV, books or slides or friends, or to be curious & open to learning about it on the spot, can be exciting, even if done in very small doses.
Florence is full of so many opportunities! It is wonderful that you are asking about what's available to see & do, but you don't really give any positive information about your interests to assist people in giving you suggestions. Only negatives like not being inclined to visit museums.
I personally wouldn't miss many of the museums (and there are many more than the 2 you mentioned that I adore like the Brancacci Chapel and Bargello), but there's also architecture & historical sites & views from Fiesole & gardens & May Festival cultural events that go beyond May & high end shopping & leatherworking workshops & culinary experiences, etc. Hard to single any out when I don't know YOUR particular interests. Some Florentine highlights are mentioned by others here & many are covered this site in detail & can be retrieved by searching on Florence.
But, with no intent to offend, I can't help feeling some sadness in reading some of the above more blanket categorical comments about not being interested in museums. Yes, even without background knowledge, some people can have unanticipated & strong emotional reactions to a piece of art, sculpture, building etc. or to a concert of unfamiliar music. More often, in my experience, people are curious about & enjoy what they have in some measure prepared or been prepared for....by prior experience & exposure, classroom or personal study, association via friends' knowledge/experience, etc. To know the context in which something was produced, or the personal story behind it, adds to the experience. It is why many of us take ScalaReale/Context Rome & other guided tours from time to time, as well.
Sadly, it seems to me there is less & less easy & natural exposure (at least in the US) to this kind of material as our young people are growing up, so when they travel at an older age, they "have no interest" and don't see that they are missing anything. Can't blame them, really. Who wants to take a crash course in Italian Renaissance art, for example, in preparation for a European holiday? Very few can or would, and that is entirely understandable. Had some classroom teachers, influential adults in my life and peers with different life experiences not taken hold of me from an early age and exposed me to the arts in a major way but in small doses, I too would have missed out on a lot over my travel years & never realized just how much I'd missed.
That said, even within the arts (and I use the word in a broad sense), there are differing tastes! And, different comfortable "dosages." Florence museums will not appeal to all, and most who do visit the museums will limit to a few choices so as not to miss out on other fun in a generally short vacation time frame.
Sorry for the mild rant. No, I don't think it's a crime that others choose to eliminate museums as a category of interest though I value them very highly when I travel. But, it does sadden me.
After all, it isn't the museum, in most cases, that is of interest, it is appreciation for what the museum may hold within it. To see a masterpiece you've (hopefully) studied or heard about from TV, books or slides or friends, or to be curious & open to learning about it on the spot, can be exciting, even if done in very small doses.
Florence is full of so many opportunities! It is wonderful that you are asking about what's available to see & do, but you don't really give any positive information about your interests to assist people in giving you suggestions. Only negatives like not being inclined to visit museums.
