Which to climb in Florence - Duomo or Giotto's Tower?
 

I've become a bit claustrophobic in the last year or so, but I still like climbing towers and domes for the views. In Florence, which stairwell is less claustrophobic, the Duomo or Giotto's tower? Do they each have separate up and down staircases or do you have to pass people coming down while you are going up and vice versa? I have vivid memories of having to squeeze past people in places like St. Stephen's in Vienna and St. Vitus in Prague.

Everything feels easy and spacious after St. Vitus!

If I remember correctly, people come down the same way while you're going up, but there's plenty of space to step aside, and many places to stop and look out of windows (neither is like St Vitus where once started you had no way of knowing where you were until the top).

The Duomo is a more interesting climb because you get to see the inside structure of the dome and how it was built. If you only have time for one, climb the Duomo, but I'd do both-- there are good views of the Duomo from Giotto tower.

View of Giotto Tower on the way up to the dome:
http://images16.fotki.com/v303/photo...SCF2161-vi.jpg

View of Duomo while climbing Giotto tower:
http://images18.fotki.com/v328/photo...SCF2192-vi.jpg

For another wonderful view of Florence that won't induce your claustrophobia, take a local bus to the top of Michaelangelo Hill. Fresh air, stunning views, peaceful respite from the crowds.

Both are great, but yup, forced to pick, I'd go with the Duomo. And Michelangelo Piazza is not at all claustrophobic and a wonderful idea as well!

The think both climbs might be tough for a claustrophobic. I think the Duomo climb is more interesting than the bell tower but tougher. If you're very tall, there are a couple of places where you can't stand up straight while you're climbing. It also can get pretty hot inside. When is your trip?

Climbing the Duomo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B9Ef2jWXug
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt8P_8JN_rE

Climbing Giotto's Tower:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXOCFtk8eXI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4qTE...eature=related

Jean, my trip is in early November. I'm 5'6" tall and I don't like the combination of stuffiness/heat, small spaces when combined with cardio exertion. I'll have to check out your youtube links this evening when I'm at home, thanks!
MelJ, the Michelangelo piazza sounds great.

I'd give one of them a try. The views are worth it. In November, it will be less crowded and definitely cooler. Just take it slow and know you can quit if you have to.

In the Duomo, you get a break early on to view the interior ceiling. Even getting that far would be worth it to see the frescoes.

(I can get vertigo when climbing or descending narrow, spiraling steps. I just stop periodically, let people pass and then carry on at my own pace.)