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Time Travel Turtle

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Excessive Baggage

May 3, 2020 | Michael Turtle | 12 Comments

FASHION MUSEUM

Gucci Museum Florence

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got some pretty tatty luggage.

Perhaps a backpack as dirty and bruised as you’ve at times felt after carrying it?

Maybe a roller case with worn-down wheels from all the times the terrain was a little rough but you couldn’t be bothered to pick it up?

Or possibly a faithful old duffel bag that’s had a few minor surgeries over the years after injuries suffered from excess weight?

gucci museum, florence, italy

Whether we go only an annual holidays, short business trips, or indefinite world exploration, we’ve probably chosen our bags based on convenience and other such boring practicalities. But this wasn’t always the way.

There was a time when travel was more exclusive than today, when the jetsetters of the world were making a statement not just by doing it but how they did it.

And for them, their luggage was all about style – it was a sign to other travellers, to airline staff, to boat stewards and concierges all around the world that they were someone.

gucci museum, florence, italy

Guccio Gucci recognised the status and the art in the elegant cases of the guests who came through The Savoy in London, where he worked as a lift boy as a teenager. When he established his famous fashion house in Florence, it was this glamour of travel that he first emulated.

On display at the city’s Gucci Museum are some of the luggage cases and bags from over the years. Stylish, elegant, quality, (and damn expensive!), they make you slightly envious of the kind of travel that could possibly justify them.

I can’t quite imagine turning up to a backpackers hostel with my leather Gucci toiletries case.

gucci museum, florence, italy

The Florence fashion house

In the same Florentine square as the palace of the city’s long-ruling Medici family, is the house of fashion. The Gucci Museum is designed with an elegance befitting the label.

Well-dressed and modelesque attendants wait in every room to answer any questions (and, presumably, to stop you touching anything!). On entering, you’re given a little cardboard folder with your ticket and a map and in each of the museum’s rooms there is a little bit of information on a card that you can take and add to your folder.

Even the toilets, with their granite and marble, have a certain air of grace.

gucci museum, florence, italy

Florence is famous for its art and these exhibits are just another form.

The evening dresses worn by Salma Hayek, Kate Beckinsale and Naomi Watts…

The handbags with the famous double G emblem…

Gold and silver jewellery…

And the floral patterns of the sixties can all be admired for their artistic beauty without a connection to the practical or the monetary.

gucci museum, florence, italy

Having said that, there are a few items that perhaps take things too far.

The Gucci picnic set, for instance? The Gucci goggles and flippers? Or maybe the Gucci surfboard?

If you thought it would seem strange enough going on holiday with some of that Gucci luggage, just imagine the looks you’ll get at the hostel when you turn up with that!

>> More info about the Gucci Museum <<

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN FLORENCE

There’s lots of accommodation in the historic centre so I would recommend finding somewhere there so you’re amongst all the sights.

BACKPACKER

For a cool hostel, I would recommend the modern Plus Florence, which even has a pool.

BUDGET

With comfortable and affordable rooms, Hotel Lorena also has a fantastic location.

BOUTIQUE

For a bit of style, I love the vintage design of the Residenza La Musa Amarcord.

LUXURY

And it’s not cheap, but Portrait Firenze is my recommendation for the best luxury hotel in the city.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. A Montrealer Abroad |

    April 18, 2012 at 7:24 am

    Reply

    Oh man, I would be way too nervous to take it out the store – let alone travel with it! Too precious to be thrown on carousels and dark trunks.

    • Turtle |

      April 22, 2012 at 10:02 am

      Reply

      That’s the thing with having expensive items. You don’t want to use them in case they get broken. It’s why I never understand people with $3000 watches, for example!

  2. Terence |

    April 18, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    Reply

    Great and lovely post. Awesom pictures.

  3. Antonio |

    April 18, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    Reply

    I would love to see and touch all of those items. They are so elegant!

    • Turtle |

      April 22, 2012 at 10:03 am

      Reply

      I don’t know what the security guards would think if you tried to touch them!

  4. Angela |

    April 18, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    Reply

    lol my luggage looks NOWHERE near these, finally I’ve recently decided to allow my small trolley to go retired, it’s literally falling into pieces, it followed me around the world and really couldn’t handle the gentle touch of baggage handlers in the airports anymore.

    • Turtle |

      April 22, 2012 at 10:03 am

      Reply

      Oh, so sad to hear. RIP small trolley. I think it’s sad saying goodbye to luggage sometimes – it’s been on the adventure as much as you have πŸ™

  5. Wanderplex |

    April 26, 2012 at 4:05 am

    Reply

    They’re beautiful but I don’t like to travel with fancy or super expensive luggage – I feel like it’s just inviting theft!

    • Turtle |

      April 27, 2012 at 5:28 pm

      Reply

      Yeah, good point. You might as well wear a big sign that says ‘I have lots of money, please come and rob me. Oh, and make sure you ask if I’ve got a watch worth stealing too’.

  6. Mary @ Green Global Travel |

    June 1, 2012 at 1:39 am

    Reply

    It’s hard to imagine those suitcases in today’s airports with people wearing pjs and sweatpants.

    • Michael Turtle |

      June 1, 2012 at 6:49 am

      Reply

      Grrrr… such a bugbear of mine. I understand that you want to be comfortable on a flight but there is no excuse for wearing a tracksuit! You’re still in public!

  7. キッズフゑッション 欲しい ι΄γ‚΅γ‚€γƒˆ |

    July 15, 2014 at 11:37 am

    Reply

    I really like what you guys tend to be up too. This type of clever work and coverage!
    Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve you guys to my personal blogroll.

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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