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Don't spend more than the bare minimum in crowded tourist traps Florence and Pisa. Say, no longer than two days and half a day, respectively. Rather, wind down
by the-rc 3y ago
Don't spend more than the bare minimum in crowded tourist traps Florence and Pisa. Say, no longer than two days and half a day, respectively. Rather, wind down in places like Lucca and Siena. Except the latter for a few days in July and August, when it becomes one of the craziest places on the planet. That's one of the few times when it might be actually ok to chase loud crowds that are totally losing their minds. (That's for an ancient and, from the outside, rather bizarre horse race. You won't get it until you're there.)
- keenmaster 3y agoFlorence is absolutely not a tourist trap. It is a beautiful city that was one of the wealthiest republics in Renaissance Italy. Great art (Uffizi Gallery is amazing) and architecture (i.e. Duomo) abounds. It is an essential visit in Italy alongside Rome in my opinion, though Rome deserves more time.
- the-rc 3y agoI'm from Italy and used to live in Tuscany (mostly Pisa, but also the "mountains" outside Florence). I might have been a bit unfair, "downtown" Florence is probably only 0.75 Venices, my unit of measure for tourist traps. Although Venetians and especially Florentines are kinda infamous for always wanting to brag about their glorious past, there's nothing wrong with either city per se, they're just victims of their own success. Rome, by virtue of its scale, is only 0.5 Venices. I tell people that you could walk past all the main sites in three-four hours, but it would be kinda pointless and you really want to spend five days there.
- xarope 3y agoFlorence isn't just about the museums and bridges dotted with tourist stalls. It has a beautiful countryside, and still has a large population of locals, who would be happy to treat you nicely if you act as the nice and appreciative tourist to them as your hosts. Although I must say, I also had the world's worst McD's burger at the train station (we were in a rush, what can I say...)
- simonh 3y agoYou went to Florence and didn’t have Bistecca? Go back and try again!
- the-rc 3y agoYou're kinda making my case against "downtown" Florence. I should have been clearer. The countryside and most of the rest of Tuscany is more pleasant and doesn't trap heat in the summer like the city does. Even there, though, some places like San Gimignano can get too touristy. See the baffling trend of torture museums as an example...
- hansoolo 3y agoA huge Yes for Lucca! I can't recommend it enough. What a beautiful town! We stayed there years ago in hotel universe, which was a beauty of its own, but is no more... Also the olive oil from the area is outstanding.