Best Kept Secrets of Florence

When i looked up things to do in Florence, i ended up reading lots of warnings about the place. I even found a site of 101 Tourist Traps of Florence. There should be 102, that website is one.

Yes, we ought to use our better sense when travelling, but Florence is misrepresented online.

The Best of Florence in 48 Hours

1. Slow Food

We wandered into an alley, decided to settle for this quaint tiny restaurant in front of us and discovered we hit jackpot with Imangiarino . There was one old lady taking orders and serving, 2 chefs in the kitchen and the tiny place sits about 20.  I was amused with the disclaimer on the placemat 'slow food'.

It was so worth the wait. It's the best meal i ate in Florence. There are only 13 "slow food" restaurants in Florence and we actually accidentally walk into one! I later found out that "slow food" didn't mean the service but it means that the restaurant uses recipes passed down from generations and the best and possibly organic ingredients from the region.

Best to make reservations because shortly after we entered, a queue started snaking!

Address: Via dello Studio, 5/r-50122 Firenze
Tel: 055 216 208
Email: imagiarino@libero.it


2. Aline Hotel
rated badly online. People said it was dirty, a pain to be fighting to use the common bathroom etc. I decided to take a chance with Aline because it was centrally located and cheap. For a one star hotel and costing only 64 euros a night for 2, we hit jackpot again! It was clean, cute and safe. Shower is within the room, tiny as an in-flight toilet, but if you don't mind peeing in the shower, you hardly need to use the common bathroom outside. Even if you do, it is clean, odourless and I didn't have to queue.I had to take a dump.Our room even had a cute little balcony that looked above apartment roofs into the Tuscan hills in the distance.

That's me on the balcony with a 4kg leg of prosciutto ham.

3. The Oldest Infirmary in the World

is not found within a church, like i expected it to be.

Behind me is the Santa Maria Novella, but the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy, the oldest still-operating pharmacy in the world (and oldest in Italy) is found somewhere else. It is located in one of those stone buildings, obscure and undetected. Ask the Tourist Information outside and opposite of Firenze train station, that's how we found it. When you reach the street, follow the crowd because that's probably where everyone's going. The over-powering smells of sweet scent like Victoria Secrets will also be an indication. 

Having read online that it was established in 1221, when the Dominican monks grew herbs to make balms and medicines, i was expecting to walk into some sort of tomb looking ancient pharmacy, 

Alas, it looks very modern, fancy and like a New York departmental store.Albeit, the pharmacy itself is housed in the original building, the rooms have vaulted ceilings, marble floors, glass-stained windows with walnut cabinetry and glass-stoppered decanters full of colorful potions.

The superior quality of the monks' products became widely known, and in the 17th century, the pharmacy opened its doors to the public.

Today the pharmacy still uses the traditional preparation methods and carries products using the original recipes of the monks. AtlasObscura highlights the Aceto dei Sette Ladri, or Seven Thieves Vinegar, where these smelling salts got their unusual name from a band of seven men who robbed corpses during a plague. They were said to have doused themselves in the strong vinegar to protect themselves from the plague. However, this was nowhere to be found on the order menu. Instead, there is an extensive list of dietary supplements for the mental and physical health, herbal teas, hydroalcholic extracts, syrups or accessories. Prices are only revealed upon query.  

4. Trattoria ZaZa

is also recommended on Tripadvisor. The interior design is more notable than its food. However, it is a popular favourite for whipping up delicious authentic Italian pastas. I need to get used to the Italian pastas not having much ingredients like the Japanese ramen. The oomph is all in the sauce. 

However, next door is Trattoria Mario, which came highly recommended by a local friend and twice we didn't make it in time or that there was a 2 hour waiting time.

Address: Piazza del Mercato Centrale 26r

5. Shopping in Florence

 I did all my shopping in 2 places. One was Central Market, the other was at The Mall.

Because competition is tough at Central Market where the stalls mostly hawk the same ware, the prices are the best around Florence. I found the Indian stall owners easier to negotiate prices, however, they are also probably the ones who sell leather goods that may not be authentic material. Nonetheless, i bought this Prada -inspired bag in a cheery sunshine colour for 35 euros (supposedly calf leather) bargained down from 55. There are tons of leather products to be found, some could be utterly fake, some could be the leftovers of good leather. Only an expert hand can discern the real and the fakes but i say if the price is reasonable and the design is pretty, go for it! I also bought 3 soft leather belts in dirty green, brown and fuchsia (8 euro each) as well as 3 leather cuffs (2 euro each). 

I didn't quite encounter many Asians in Florence but no prizes for guessing where i saw majority of them.

In the queue waiting to go The Mall, factory outlet featuring high-end brands like Ferragamo, Prada, Christian Dior, Gucci and more. 

It feels like i'm in Asia again!

The Sita bus station is to the right of Firenze station and costs 5 euro one way. Buses start at 8.50 am and run every 20 mins to and 30 mins fro. The entire bus ride takes slightly more than an hour. The Mall opens at 10am, and it is a mad house particularly in the Prada store. The only brand that is two-storey with an escalator within, the brand conscious Asians (Chinese and Koreans mainly) start grabbing. Best is to visit The Mall with caution and a shopping list of what you need so you stay focused. DO NOT feel pressured when you see fellow Asians in a shopping frenzy. But who am i to give advice? I went needing a new wallet, a sling satchel and card holder but left with 3 items more that were not in the list. The Devil really wears Prada! The brands offer good discount, starting from 30%. Burberry has an extensive range of winter wear while Christian Dior had a 50% further off factory outlet price. The Mall is the ONLY place in Florence that i see so many Chinese salesgirls and there was even an Italian gent in Dior who spoke fluent Mandarin.

6. Michael Angelo Hill

Florence is small enough to go everywhere on foot. 

 I'm not lying.

It is indeed nice to walk around by foot, working off that pizza then putting it on with a gelato. Through walking, you can take in the bustling city's sights, the tourist spots and discover new areas.

Hanging out with horses.

 Take a sandwich, hike up the Michael Angelo hill for a panoramic view of Florence.

7. Florence at Night

When dusk falls, Florence becomes romantic. 

The most photographed bridge in Florence is Ponte Veccchio, where jewellery shops are built into the bridge.

We sat on the bridge, enjoying the romantic view and listening to the groovy husky voice of an Italian busker.

A local culture of the clubbers at night is to also sniff out the secret bakeries of Florence. These bakeries start baking late at night for the next morning and very often will sell inconspicuously to those who seek at night. A hot bun oozing with Nutella for 1 euro, unfortunately we didn't stay out late enough to go treasure hunting.  If you're gungho enough, here're some addresses you can try.

8. Day trip to Pisa

Because Florence is small enough to finish walking in a day (without too much stopping for Italian coffee which btw, is mugnificant), take a train to Pisa just an hour away!Costing 7 euros one way, the ticket machines at Firenze is simple to use and does not return change in the form of vouchers (as some websites warned).

Most shops are closed on Sundays but otherwise if you had gone on a weekday, Pisa is a lovely town (less crowded than Florence) to spend time in.

Get drunk on Simpson's beer, 

 and start seeing things leaning!

We're not that great photographers so it hardly looks leaning. It's an amazing piece of architecture because it looks leaning but it's actually not!

We thought we were early at 10am but no, almost everyone is early.

 Had to get my 2948 worth of leaning pictures.

Travelling to Pisa is really just for the tower which you can do funny things with.

Florence, my first taste of Italy (ok, maybe Venice was first).

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Six Things to do in Dubai

The irony is, my most memorable experience in Dubai, a DESERT, is to ski.

Now, Dubai is widely acclaimed and infamous for screwing with people's eyes and minds by having architecture like these....

It reminds me of Singapore. We do have the Esplanade which looks like a durian or a housefly's eye. Dubai is a country that is filled more with expats than locals, and Singapore's getting there.

But otherwise, what i did in Dubai:

1. Rode a Camel and kicked up a Sandstorm

The traditional dance performed by a man.

If a weekend activity for Singaporeans is the cinema, then setting up a ten, transporting butlers, cooks in a jeep into the middle of the desert for a BBQ is the norm in The Middle East. However, if you are a tourist, you can experience a bit of that desert safari via land tours. Do a bit of research as this is my second time experiencing it and i find the second operator more luxurious than my first experience. The difference is in the food quality and they have waiters in vests. Performances like belly dancing & activities like ride a camel are the same but Hanna and sand boarding (i surfed like a pro) was something new.

Dining under the stars.

Very touristy. They did this for a golden photo moment.

Camel didn't look amused.

2. Travelling in Dubai

Many have misconceptions of Dubai, simply because it is part of the middle east. It is relatively safe, there is a subway like our MRT and you don't really have to cover up (in summer, it gets REALLY hot and balmy in the evening so tank tops, shorts and slippers is the way to go). However, the first few nights of my stay was still pretty chilly (end of winter).

Taxis in the background.

Taxis are aplenty in Dubai but they aren't exactly cheap. There is ALOT of distance to cover in Dubai and you're better off (and richer) getting around with the MRT. However, there is ALSO alot of distance within the MRT. You spend about 10 minutes just walking to the platform. It was pretty amusing. It felt like a workout every time i take the MRT to get somewhere.

You don't get stared at much despite having more males than females anywhere.

Take an abra across the creek to the heritage village. It's only $1 and its the local's mode of transport.

                             

3. Diving in Oman
I crossed the borders into Musadam and did two dives. Underwater was abit different from tropical waters. I saw neon bright purple and yellow corals which i've never seen before. It was a nice day trip out of the concrete jungle.

4. Watch the Musical Fountain

which beats the Las Vegas fountain (apparently). It's the most beautiful thing i've seen.

It is highly recommended to make dinner reservations at Karam Beirut (+971 4 339 9789) to watch the fountain and eat. 

The traditional Middle Eastern meal was A FEAST!

It was about SGD 50 per pax, so we made our value worth by sitting and watching 5 fountain shows. We never got tired of it! We had to pee desperately after though.

There was also a tomato so huge we ate it like a burger. We passed the communal tomato around.

For an aerial view of the Dubai fountain, you can also dine at the Karma Kafe (+971 4 423 0909) at the Souk Al Bahar across of Dubai Mall. 

It has old Chinese babies plastered on the bar counter.
Strange choice, but otherwise very nice oriental looking lounge.

Scaling the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa.

 Upon seeing our pose, some Arabs started doing the same pose too. Hahaha!

5. Visit the Malls
Dubai is all about impressions......within shopping malls. Especially the famous Guinness record aquarium in a mall.

Doesn't look so spectacular here, but it is.

They have breath taking water features, also in a mall.

A very tall man-made waterfall.

As well as the largest snow park......in a mall (you guessed it right!)

Check out his (real) name! 

Getting a hot choco!

I don't know why, i look like i'm about to strip.

It was my first time skiing, and it was pretty darn exhilarating. The snow was slippery, the slopes were steep. I fell and almost made a snow ball of myself countless times. I crashed so much into my friend, i was really afraid i'll crush his nuts. A steady hand, encouraging words made me learn within an hour!

There're even ski lifts! Duh. It's the LARGEST ski park in a mall.

Yes, back to reality. It's A DESERT OUTSIDE.

Yes, we window shop. Everything was expensive, made of gold.

Vinegar for SGD1534 0_0
Aged 100 years, better than wine.
One drop is all that you'll need in your salad, we were told.

 Even their facial masks have CERTIFICATES because it has real gold.

Gold is as common as salt and pepper.

Something more affordable to buy as souvenirs are camel's milk chocolate. It doesn't taste as milky as cow's milk and is apparently healthier.

A small block is SGD 10

Or take a walk in the perfume souk (station Banjyas Square) and get the latest Iphone 5 perfume. It smells like DKNY's Delicious which is coincidentally or not, shaped like an apple.

SGD 10 after bargaining.

BlackBerry's fans are not neglected.

If you need to spray on some pheromones.

6. Eat like a local

Take a walk around Bastakiya and you'll come across quaint finds where you can eat local grub.

I love hummus, bitchez.

Try the very local dish, the Waraq Enab, which is vine leaves stuffed with rice, tomatoes, parsley, onions and lemon juice. You eat it whole. Another thing to order is also the Mutabbal, grilled eggplant puree.

I caved in to some Western grub, only because i was told it's THE BEST burgers.

Shaking it up with Shake Shack

I'm not too impressed.

It was pretty amusing to see the burger army behind the counter though. It was 11.30pm but there was a team of 30 people working. Our orders took 5 minutes, there was hardly a crowd.

Levitation.

Dubai at my feet.

Go on, souk in the atmosphere.

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