Hi my,

Your just one of many who have come up with that good piece of advice.

Extremely expensive too.

And mobbed with tourists.

Attempting to marginalize an activity, whatever it may be, by characterizing it as "high brow" is, unfortunately, a trait which probably won't be diminished no matter how much art, architecture, etc., one ends up looking at.

Florence isn't for everybody. If you want the real answer IMO you'll have to either go and see for yourself or read up and make a decision. As you can see, most of the opinions here are biased and I guess viewing the art didn't help some of them, either.

I once knew a shrewd, ruthless man who made a pile of money and visited Italy often, usually in the company of much younger women, both before and after his wife died.

Old coot never went near a church or museum. Traveled for food and sex, and found Italy the most congenial country for both pursuits.

He was a brute and a dinosaur, but knew what he wanted out of life and I think he got it. Died expressing no interest in the hope of a glorious resurrection.

I forgot to mention that he loved Florence.

My boss replies:

I misspelled "pursuit." How boorish of me.

I also agree with the poster who stated that Florence is so mobbed from June to August that it is difficult to walk on the streets. I only visit in January.

Ira, your lightbulb reminds me of the lamp of Diogenes.

Cheers,
JBG

handsmaiden,

It is easy to presume that the cheapest flights and hotels you can find would have to be in January. I trust your "boss" approved.

can someone tell me is the secret passageway between theUfizzi and Pitti Palace is a tour that you can take and if you can how is it arranged? Thanks!

Flycatcher06: The passageway between the Uffizi and the Pitti is not secret and quite visible in some areas. It's the Vasari Corridor which was open to the public until the terrorist bombing of the Uffizi (1990s?). There has been some discussion on this board about whether tours are available, what days and cost. You could do a search and read the info people have provided. We'll be in Florence this October, and I'm going to ask our hotel to see if they can get a reservation for us.

On the OP's topic and resulting comments: From now on, I'm going to dissuade everyone from going to Florence. "Trust me, there's just no point in going there." Spread the word. Perhaps we can reduce the crowds so that the rest of us who love the place can enjoy it in peace and comfort.

I agree with Ira.

Florence...
bah humbug.

Not even worth a day trip if you asked me! You're much better off spending 5 beautiful weeks in Pisa to marvel at the Leaning Tower.
I wish I had done that instead of spending four long days in Florence!

tcmazz has been posting a lot about an upcoming trip, so no troll, I think.

I would give this answer: if one must ask "Is there any point in going to ________," then one certainly ought not to go there.

JAGIRL, >You're much better off spending 5 beautiful weeks in Pisa to marvel at the Leaning Tower.<
LMAO!I just fell out of my chair! To add, be sure to have plenty of memory in your camera to get lots of shots of you and your traveling companions in those ridiculous poses in front of the tower.

Jean,

SelectItaly can make arrangements for tours of the Vasari corridor - for a fairly stiff price. And the tour is only confirmed shortly before it takes place and only if there are sufficient people registered for it.

http://selectitaly.com/

Jean
Conde Nast travel magazine recently did an article on that tour. It was pricey indeed. But it sounds like fun. You could probably check their website.

Bobthenavigator, how very Yogi Berra of you! It reminds me of a recent conversation with my best friend, in which I told her I had deja vu all over again, to which she responded "De zsa zsa vu vu?". I asked if that was one of the Gabor sisters, maybe the one who'd slapped the cop?

BC

ahh lucy_d,
I do <i>try</i> to give good travel advice you know...