Traveling to Florence, Italy

Section I: Introduction
Florence is a fairly small city in the region of Tuscany, Italy. It was the center of the Italian Renaissance, and as a result, Florence has become famous for its art and architecture. Besides that, I know that the city is beautiful in pictures, and that is why I've always wanted to travel there.

In order to make the most of my visit, I think it is important to do some preliminary research. Before planning a trip, I would like to know the best way to see the city. Is it better to take a tour or travel on your own? Also, I need to make sure I know about all the sites I would like to visit. What are the most popular attractions? And what is the city like off the beaten-path, away from all the tourists?

I believe my research will be useful to anyone planning to visit Florence, Italy or anyone interested in the culture of the city. I hope this information will help readers to become more familiar with their destination so they can make the most of their Florentine getaway.

Section III: Electronic Indexes and Database Sources
Database: MasterFILE Premier Via NCLive - EBSCO host
1) Gani, Martin. (Sept. 1998). The Gems of Florence. World & I, Vol. 13 Issue 9, p. 140.
Available: EBSCO host. [2002, May 27].
2) Hardin, Terri. (May 2002). At Home in the World. Successful Meetings, Vol. 49 Issue
8, p. 77. Available: EBSCO host. [2002, May 27].
3) Peters, Brooks. (May 2002). Firenze in Fiore. Opera News, Vol. 66 Issue 11, p 50.
Available: EBSCO host. [2002, May 27].
4) Florence: Birthplace of the Renaissance. (2000). Frommer's Italy, p. 172. Available:
EBSCO host. [2002, May 27].
5) Planning a Trip to Italy. (2000). Frommer's Italy, p. 17, 37. Available: EBSCO host.
[2002, May 27].
6) Best of Italy, The. (2000). Frommer's Italy, p. 1. Available: EBSCO host. [2002, May
27].

Section IV: Web sources on my topic
Title: Homepage for Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Web address: http://www.knowital.com/Towns/Florence/Guide1/html/welcome_to_florence.html
Brief Description: This site gives a brief overview of the city and gives descriptions and photographs of the most important sites including palaces, museums and gardens. It also provides information about the Chianti area. The site is easy to follow for a quick reference.
Source: Knowitall, 2002

Title: Florence Travel Guide
Web address: http://www.explore-florence.com/
Brief Description: Gives detailed travel information about the city's culture, weather, attractions, and transportation. It includes some history of the city and statistics. Provides useful travel tips for tourists.
Source: HotelsCentral.com Limited Company

Title: Your Way to Florence
Web address: http://www.arca.net/florence.htm
Brief Description: This is an attractive site that provides general information useful to tourists. It has listings about such topics as art, accommodations, festivals, and restaurants in Florence. It also provides necessary information like currency exchange, electricity, and health services.
Source: Arca.net

Title: Lonely Planet World Guide/ Destination Florence
Web address: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/florence/
Brief Description: This easily navigable site provides information on events and attractions in Florence, as well as when to go and how to get around. There is also an interesting section on places to visit away from the bustle of the city.
Source: Lonely Planet 2002

Title: Florence Travel Information
Web address: http://www.motherearthtravel.com/italy/florence/index.htm
Brief Description: This site gives an overview of the city and provides brief descriptions of the many historical sites in Florence.
Source: Mother Earth Travel

Section V: Mini-Essay

Title: A Fine Line Between Innovative and Intrusive Advertising on the Web
(Topic Area: Net Business)

While browsing the Web, everyone has seen the "pop-up" or "floating" advertisements and animated graphics that seem to come out of nowhere. Your surfing is regularly interrupted while you wait for the dancing cell phones to cross your screen or the virtual shaving cream to be removed by an animated razor. Advertisers say there is nothing wrong with this kind of advertising, but some users are getting frustrated, especially when the ads are beginning to obscure Web site content.

These new, more intrusive ads have become popular recently because advertisers have realized that the traditional banner ads do not work, said Jim Nail, a senior analyst at Forrester Research. (1) To draw more attention, ads are becoming larger and noisier. Advertisers are experimenting with full-screen commercials and ads that open new windows.

Internet users are used to being in control of what they see and do on the Internet, and many are becoming annoyed with these disrupting ads. They tend to slow down the process of information gathering by not giving people the choice to view the ad or not. The click of a button ends some ads, but others must finish before the user is allowed to move on. (2)

In defense of these new ads, advertisers say Internet users have become accustomed to visiting sites for free. In a sense, they have become spoiled. So marketers say Internet users will now have to pay for the available information with either their money or their attention. (1)

Although Web advertisers have the legal right to do run such ads, it is also good business to be considerate of their users. Richard M. Smith, former chief technology officer for the Privacy Foundation, said, "Web sites can do whatever they want, as long as they don't mess up your computer, but they always run the risk of shooing people away." (1)

Notes:
(1) The Associated Press. "Internet Advertisers Trying to Add 'Pop.'" Newsday, 27 Dec. 2001. Also Available [Online]: Academic Universe Lexis-Nexis [2002, May 27].
(2) Michael Bartlett. "Experimental Online Ads Take on Obnoxious Tone." Newsbytes, 13 May, 2002. Also Available [Online]: Academic Universe Lexis-Nexis [2002, May 27].

Three Web Sites:
Title: When Internet Ads Attack
Web address: http://www.techtv.com/news/internet/story/0,24195,3371029,00.html
Brief Description: An article about what to expect from the next generation of Web campaigns.
Source: TechTV Inc.

Title: How Annoying Can Online Ads Get?
Web address: http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/167700.html
Brief Description: An article by Kevin Featherly about some Internet promotions resulting in angry users.
Source: The Washington Post Company

Title: Fighting those annoying 'pop-under' Web ads
Web address: http://www.concordmonitor.com/stories/market/bizstori2002/popupads_f43964_2002.shtml
Brief Description: Article by Michael Woods presenting both sides of the Web advertising argument.
Source: Concord Monitor

Questions or comments? email:lbumgarn@email.unc.edu

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