This place is a f*cking TRIIIIIP. I decided to spend some time here after seeing all the adverts as…read moreI was biking around the wall. The place is HEAVILY advertised, but I really enjoyed it despite the high marketing. I have to say, this isn't for children...it's really kind of creepy and mind-bending. I, however, really enjoyed it because it made you feel all the things. Uncomfortable, spooked, skin crawling, but not because it's violent or horror - this museum is the art produced out of human madness and the pain that comes with it. I tried to go through it without the audio, but coughed up the 2.50 euros for it after since I couldn't make any sense. The audio isn't great, but that's not to say you shouldn't get it. It must have been translated literally from google translate, which gave it a strangely literary, poetic feel. It was hard to make sense of because of the odd syntax, but it kinda made sense with the museum in that it kinda didn't make sense. I definitely had to sit for ten minutes outside in the grass trying to decompress after this. Worth it, but not for everyone!

This museum is off the beaten path and a fun alternative to the very touristy packed places. They…read moreoffer an audio tour and the whole package is well worth the price.

During our tour of Tuscany, we went trough the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci, nestled in the heart…read moreof Vince where he was born. Depending on your interests in da Vinci, will determine your love for what you see. I have always been fascinated by his work and when you go through the museum, you will see some models of his inventions, from a machine to make domes to his flying machines. If you are as fascinated by his work as I am, stop in. It will not take too long to go through the place!

Sinopie Museum is on the site originally of a hospital, but now houses large frescos meant to be…read moresaved, in a climate controlled indoor space. It is one of six buildings that you can visit as part of the Square of Pisa. You do need a ticket to enter, costing 7€ separately, but included as part of a 10€ package for the other museums (not the Tower) I love how the museum is structured, with 4 total stories (all accessible via elevator), but of different floor space, to allow fresco of different sizes to be displayed. For example the bottom floor housed frescos that took up more than one floor. You can walk through the entire floor space pretty fast if you peruse, but many of the frescos have interesting write-ups next to them, that you can use to study them. There was a nice 3-d rendition of the campus here as well. We spent about 30 minutes here.

Museo Delle Sinopie, is one of the museums that flank the leaning Tower of Pisa. It is a big hall…read morelike room that displays frescoes for the most part. It can be done very quickly. Alex and I took about an hour or so because we examined some of the frescoes closely, but if you just browse about, you can be done in under an hour. All these museums are included with your purchased ticket to go into the tower. If you buy online that is. I am not sure how it works if you are to get your tickets while you are there. As far as museums go, after you've been to so many amazing ones in the larger cities, this one doesn't seem to be all that great, but it is still worth seeing it, there is always something interesting to learn. Also some of the paintings and drawings in the upper levels are great.

Such a ripoff! I wanted the permanent exhibit, which I asked for, and they charged for the seasonal…read moreone which was only two rooms and 12 euros. However, the permanent exhibit was 3 euros, which what I originally asked for and they didn't refund. After that, they wanted to charge me another 3 euros for the one. Not worth it.

Cute little stop if you happen to be wandering through Lucca. It's set up in the actual house where…read morePuccini was born, which gives it some charm even if you're not into opera. The prime piece is his Steinway piano, plus there are letters and photographs spread across a handful of small rooms. You can get through it pretty quickly, so it may be worth a short visit. Even as a casual visitor it's a pleasant enough detour for what it costs, and the location in the old town is nice.

As a casual opera fan, visiting the birth place of the maestro Giacomo Puccini was the highlight of…read moremy trip to Lucca. If you already visited Verdi's house and Toscanini's house in Parma, you might as well try to get to Lucca, which is 2hours away by car. You can purchase the ticket (7€) from the gift shop which is located in the Piazza Puccini diagonally across the museum. It's a very small and intimate museum where you will find Puccini's archive of original hand written scores, letters, his clothes, photos, as well as the costumes from Madama Butterfly, Tosca, Turandot, etc. The city of Lucca itself was "a-ok" for me but Puccini Museum made it worthwhile at least for me.

The Accademia Gallery in Florence offers a focused, more intimate, and ultimately defined by a…read moresingle, overwhelming masterpiece, Michelangelo's David. Founded in the late 18th century as a teaching collection, it evolved into one of Italy's most important art institutions You slowly move through the gallery of Renaissance paintings and plaster models. You curiosity begins to build as you anticipate viewing this famous David. Quite impressive...the statue's size, precision details, and sculpture expertise lives you in awe. The Accademia's smaller size allows for a more intimate experience. It highlights Michelangelo's works as well as adding meaningful context.

We really needed our advance reservations for the Galleries dell' Accedemia, the museum that houses…read moreMichangelo's famous sculpture of DAVID. Even with timed reservations (ours were for 4.30, we waited in line for over 45 minutes to enter. The place was packed and everyone seemed to have a single focus - see the statue of David and get the heck out of the gallery. Except for my wife who actually tried exploring some of the other exhibits. I'd say it was worth waiting in line and paying 40€ each to see David. It's well worth the wait to see this statue.