Florence, the centrepiece of Tuscany

Some consider Florence to be one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, if not the world. Located in the heart of Tuscany, this is Italy at its best, with stunning views, fields of sunflowers, miles of vineyards, rolling hills, and mountain-top castles. A Renaissance capital of the world with its celebrated sons like Leonardo DaVinci and Michelangelo, the Florence skyline is the number one attraction listed in just about every travel guide today -- the world famous Duomo (2nd Duomo of my trip!) with the Brunelleschi cupola, as well as Giotto's Bell Tower and the bronze sculpted doors of the marble-clad Baptistry. The streets can get scarily crowded but there are good enough areas to explore whilst staying away from the hustle and bustle of photo-snapping-mad tourists.

The sleep has been really useful, good to the point of rejuvenating me again for the day, because I was so exhausted from the previous day of travel. The battery on my shaver finally died on me after 3 weeks, maybe I can have a beard by the time I get back to London. Took out my last packet of instant coffee from the bag and relieved my body from another 1 gram of weight. Another Malaysian gal, who is running home (she is heading for Singapore instead of Sarawak as the jobs are better) after only 2 months job hopping in London, is staying in the same room. A brief chat and we headed out separately to see the city. Strolled down Via Santa Caterina D'Alessandria towards the main train station, Stazione di Santa Maria Novella or Firenza SMN for short. Turned to the Mercato Centrale to soak in the morning grocery shopping by the locals. Tuscan is famous for the dishes with beef tribe, and there is a one store at the end of the market that seems popular from the locals munching away. Since I wasn't into anything internal, I passed.

By noon, the Piazza del Duomo is overflowing with guides carrying either a flag or umbrella, shepherding groups and groups of tourists around Duomo and the Baptistry. Been a frugal traveler, I stayed close to an English speaking group to hear a bit about the history and all, before excusing myself into the alley ways, away from the population mass. Italians have told me that they can do many things wrong, but one thing that they will get it right for sure is, food! And so it seems, every cafe seems to serve more than normal quick bites, from brioche to gelatos, to espressos, I cannot find a fault with any! Prices may not be the cheapest (a gelato starts at €2.50) but what better way to experience Tuscan culture than stand by the counter, enjoy a nice coffee and watch the people going by the cobbled walkways, in the drizzle that has started to fall.

I passed by Galleria degli Ufizi as I wasn't really keen in that, and crossed the Fiume Arno river though the very touristy Ponte Vecchio bridge, which is a really unique architecture of houses/shops built into as part of the bridge. Italians never stray away too far from using yellow and green colour combinations on the buildings and window panes, but it works really well in an old city, giving it a rustic feel. Further up is the Piazza Pitti where one can stroll in the "supposedly nice" gardens of Boboli. Going along Lungarno Torrigiani, by the river, you will come across BRITTA selling hand made children clothes and toys. Very exquisite and nice to snoop about, but items are fairly pricey as one might expect.

If you are geared for some steep climbing, head up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a panoramic view of the city or take bus 12 which brings you all the way to the top if you're lazy. A trip to the toilets will cost you €0.60 so you might want to consider if you wish to save every single cent (not sure why I am advising you this as a mate once reminded me that one can never get rich by saving, and you probably lose more from the additional time and efforts spent to find those best deals, in this case, walking further to find another cheaper toilet or ending up with a bladder problem by holding on to it for too long).

For lunch, head to PUGI, on the south side of the Piazza San Marco square(also a major bus stop) and look around carefully for the tiny shop -- there maybe a line of people waiting to buy a slice of great pizza as you have to take a queue number before ordering. It was so good that I had 2! Followed up with more bingeing, this time a lemonada and melon gelato, yummy!!! As one might expect, the streets are filled with speed demons on their Vespas and Piaggios, and tiny buses that ply the narrow streets in the city. There is even a rumour that some drivers aim to knock people down on the streets so that you can call an emergency service at a huge costs which as you might expect, are in cahoots with them! So make sure you stop at traffic lights till the cars stop even if the green man shows up, and not cross the pedestrian crossings until all the vehicles stop for you.

Florence town is really not big, and I pretty much covered all in one day as my watch told me that it has been a good 15km workout again today. Popped back into the hostel for a quick rest before the Malaysian gal joined me for dinner at Il Parata, a cheap eat along Via Ginori, featuring a buffet of all you can eat of pasta, lasagna, salad and other usual italian fare, for €7, even comes with a bottle of water. Not fantastic but you get what you pay, although do ask for your food to be heated up in the microwave as it makes a good difference to the taste.

Feeling lazy again after food and stayed back in the hostel instead of venturing out to take any pictures. Planning to visit Siena and the Tuscan countryside from excellent recommendations from mates on Twitter.

Link to all photos from Italy. (In progress)