I have to take exception to "avoid Florence and Venice, go to Rome" and the remark about Belgian food being superior. Simple generalizations like that about any major cultural center in any country are inherentlyl bad advice. These are matters of personal taste and every place of cuisine has its own special attractions and issues.[/QUOTE]
To clarify, I lived in Northern europe for 9 years, and compared to German and Dutch food, the Belgians do a far better job - as per my taste buds.
I just did a tour around Florence and Rome (actually two trips to Rome in two months), and if you love being around tourists, mediocre food and standing in lines, hit Florence. I have heard similar comments about Venice.
An old acquaintance lived in Florence 20 years ago (he bought a flat 5 minutes from Piazza Duomo), originated from Rome, and said that in Florence one cannot escape the tourists.
Rome is full as well, but the city is much larger, and you can find places where the tourists don't visit.