In response to the above comments trashing Florence..I find it amazing that someone wouldn't like it.
Great art, yes - but once the new wears off the usual tourist sites, it's one of the most crowded and unpleasant walking cities in Europe. Just got back from our umpteenth stay with an artist friend who's been living in the heart of Florence for 40+ years (his apartment/studio is on the Arno overlooking the Pontevecchio). Even in late October the city is jammed, the traffic impossible, the motorscooters noisy and dangerous, the museum and church admission charges rapacious. Florence was once a lovely city, but alas, it has been loved to death. Go once to view the art, but go elsewhere for
la dolce vita.
