Firenze – Fun & Food

I finally got to make my trip to Italy, courtesy of my most excellent niece Arin who gave me the holiday as the best birthday present ever. Thanks a lot, Aristotle – you’re amazing and you know it. After an unbelievably stressful and sometimes frankly horrible year, this trip has cheered me up no end. In the one year since I visited, Florence has changed a lot. It appears to have shaken off the recession and seems to be a lot more prosperous and self-confident. The prices have also come down because the shopkeepers are no longer panicking about making all their money from one tourist i.e me!  There also seems to be a major growth in the artisanal /makers sector which made me extremely happy as you can imagine. I can’t tell you how funny it is to see so many hipsters in Florence. You could block your ears in some parts of Florence and you’d think you were in Shoreditch. I know I do tend to go on about artisans and how great they are 🙂 More on these wonderful companies later.

Firstly, things that haven’t changed: the Italian sense of fun and style, the amazing food, the ridiculously extravagant beauty of Florence. The wonderfully evocative statue of Thusnelda which I love, Michelangelo’s David (Mr Swagger as I like to call him). The Magnum store and its jewel-encrusted display ice-cream bars, the wall of liquid chocolate at Venchi, the nectar of the gods that is Schweppes Pompelmo in Rosa, and Ferrero Fiesta cakes. By the way, could someone please let Schweppes know that life is unbearable in London due to the dearth of Pompelmo in Rosa and Agrumi drinks. First world problems, you say? You obviously have never tasted this elixir of happiness.

A couple of my favourite sights : the sunglasses-wearing  red bulldog in a random window of a denizen’s flat, and Jeff Koons’ hilariously lavish golden sculpture of Proserpina & Pluto (the mythical god, not the dog) temporarily residing beside the copy of David’s statue in the Piazza della Signoria. I am sure I don’t need to extol the virtues of Spaghetti alle vongole or those incredible pizzas made with few but delicious ingredients. The tomato sauce- oh my giddy aunt! Even the Prosecco tasted better than the thin rubbish exported to London. If you aren’t planning to go to Florence- seriously, what’s wrong with you? When (not if ) you do go, stay at the Hotel Laurus al Duomo which has lovely staff and comfortable rooms, and do not leave Florence without going to the Gelateria Santa Trinita for the best, the best ice-cream. Check out the dark grey Sesame Nero (made with black sesame seeds), and the sublime Peaches & Brandy flavours. Arin ate four scoops of ice-cream. What a gal! They are probably illegal in many countries, and my inner- puritan believes you should need a note of parental consent before you can try them. No wonder Italians spend so much time in confession!