I have found that the less expectionas I have for a place (good or bad), the better for making up my own decision about it. But, I am a sucker for information and other opinion, however, and often buy books soley based on the content of the reviews on the back cover. So then.
Florence has some nice sights and museums and throngs of tourist buses wth huge groups of japanese and german tourists. The sights like the Duomo are impressive, and it was definitely cool to see the statue of David which is far bigger than I imagined. You can't take picutres which is a bmmer, but they have several replicas around the city (most notable in the square by the Uffizi -this is the square where they had the Bonfire of the Vanitties).
The Uffizi is a nice, huge gallery, but I'm not so much into Baroque art. If that does it for you, than this is your place. I can only look at so many pictures of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, then I need at least one other subject.
The Ponte Veccio was full of tourists and has mostly chintzy looking souvenier stuff.
I just stayed in Florence one day and rushed down to Rome, puzzled why everyone regards it so highly. If you are one of these people, please explain.