Florence, Now Its Venices Turn

It was in 2006 that the Italian government first allowed local governments to impose

a tax on those using tourist facilities, but the first to break ranks was Rome at the beginning of 2011, with a maximum tax of 3 for those staying at the very best establishments per night for a maximum of 5 nights. The authorities expect the tax to raise 80m, which thankfully will be spent exclusively on the much-needed upkeep of the citys wonderful monuments. Good to know that those few euros it costs you will be going to help maintain for example the currently free-of-charge Roman Forum.




Florence started on 1 July this year with a bit more painful 5 per night, but at least those staying at the resting place of choice in my youth, the Michaelangelo camp site, only have to pay 1 to enjoy as near as it gets to city centre camping.




Although Venice joined the party late, only 24 August (too late for the main season, methinks), it must be the city of canals and gondolas that is the longest-running candidate for the tax. Venice has a particular problem over and above other Italian and indeed world cities its sinking into the sea. I remember the Venice in Peril appeal of the 1970s when the idea of a tax was much discussed, but I can only think that people then were so generous in their giving we even had lessons on it at school that the idea was not then acted upon then. We live in more austere times now.




Im sure this will not be enough to deter most from visiting Rome and Florence using our Rome Apartments and Florence Apartments. Rumour has it that there are some more villas coming on stream in Northern Italy later this year.




You would like to think that the Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Lorenzini (better known as Carlo Collodi) would be as well known as it is without the Disney film, but inevitably that film is the most common first contact with the child-view world of man-eating whales and expanding noses. The second could be a visit to the town from which the author took his name, Collodi in the Northern Tuscany(Florence Apartment Rental).




The town itself sits on a steep ridge rising behind the Villa Garzoni, an 18th Century palace itself well worth visiting for its sculpture garden, but the reason for taking the kids there is the theme park. Its not Alton Towers with terrifying rides and long queues, but rather a gentle evocation of Carlo Collodis childhood which inspired the book. It started in 1956 with the unveiling of Emilio Grecos statue Pinocchio and the Fairy and Venturinis Square of the Mosaics, joint winners of a competition to inaugurate the park.




Since then 21 other sculptures have been added as well as a restaurant. There are activities for the children and a collection of historic merry-go-rounds which the little ones will really love.




The place is a great day out, but also a gateway to one of the less-frequented areas of Tuscany, the Garfagnana. Often said to be the regions wettest area, the vegetation is lusher than usual, with wooded hills and valleys. Try Barga, for instance. Itll be cooler up there than in Florence, Lucca and the Arno Valley. If you need somewhere to stay, heres a selection of Florence Luxury Apartments and Umbria Villa Rental in the Lucca area.

by: supersam

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