I'm not saying that it isn't worth the money, I'm saying that, for us, there are better ways to spend that kind of money. A 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment for a week in the centre of Florence with a sitting room and kitchen and a roof terrace overlooking the Duomo, plus six flights, is just short of £2K. OK, there's the tourist tax and then food - but Florence is one of the less expensive cities to eat out in and, as we're just 5 minutes from the sensational Mercatore Centrale, we can buy the most amazing produce (fresh truffles anyone?) and cook wonderful meals ourselves.

And, of course, there's the 84 museums, Boboli Gardens, walks by the Arno and unrivalled atmosphere.

You pays yer money and you takes yer choice.