Planning a 10-day trip for 2 in October, but could push it to November to avoid crowds. I studied abroad in Florence as an undergrad in the 1990s. It is close to my heart, and I would love to visit, but it seems overrun with tourists 12 months a year. Is there any time that it's not? If we stay in the Oltrarno is that any better these days?
We are also considering Lucca, Bologna, and an art pilgrimage to Ravenna to see the mosaics. Interests are food, art, history. All info welcome!