[Travelog] Firenze, Italy - 18th February 2016

This is long overdue but well hello.

I'm in the mood.

My dad had some work in Milan Italy. So my mum wanted to go as well. But since my dad is there for work, she wouldnt have anyone to accompany her to look around.

So yes. Last minute bought the ticket online. And one week later we're flying to Milano!

Planned the last minute trip ahead, and was 'this' close to actually make our way to Switzerland. But yes we only manage to visit Florence and Venice in the end.

It was literally a four or maybe five days trip.

The place we're staying in Milan is actually pretty far from the city. It's a little town about 20 minutes from Milan called Saronno. I assume its an industrial area.

Since we took the first morning train to Florence. We need to be at the station at least  by 6.30am. Since the train is  scheduled at 7.20. Well the receptionist did tell us we could just leave around 6.30 and be there by 7. We can make it on time.

But was kinda worried since we dont know our way around there and dont want to rush to look for the train and all. And our hotel was so nice they even packed some breakfast for us since we were leaving around 6.15 even before they're serving breakfast.

And we even took the expensive taxi to the Train Station since we're worried we might get lost or something. We arrived at the train station at about 6.30 or so. It was definitely an expensive ride. AND IT WAS FREAKING COLD. I wore three layers just to be safe, nope. still cold. Since it was really, the station was pretty empty. Arrived, and look for the departure-arrival. There would be barricades where there's police stationed there and you just need to show your ticket to go through. And no, they WONT help if you start asking where's the platform and all. Just walk through and search for the huge monitor.

We bought the train tickets online, which was pretty last minute hence it was quite pricey.
Milano Centrale - Firenze S Maria Novella (1 H 40 M) Return ticket for EURO 68 P/P (RM310+-) 

Ever since our trip to Europe last two years, we have this system of printing two of each and have it downloaded in our phone. My mum would keep a copy of all of our itinerary and I would keep one as well. Since usually when we arrive to certain country they would request for our itinerary of where we're going, where we'll be staying. Only had this when we're about to leave Paris for London and also leaving London for Amsterdam.

Since now they usually use the scan bar code, it's pretty simple to just take it out from your phone and let them check the tickets. I think it was only in London when they requested to check for our identification. So far in all the train I took in Italy they didnt request for anything.

So anyway, the train seating are automatically fixed when we bought it online.

When in Milano Centrale gets very confusing cause we wouldn't know which platform our train would be at. And usually they would only arrive 5 minutes before departure. So the best is, you can go to the information counter and ask or just sit infront of the screen monitor religiously and search for your train number. And I'm serious when I say everyone there are tourists as well, theyre pretty confused like you as well.

So usually at the monitor would only display the last stop for the train, so you wont be seeing Firenze. It could be other place. Dont worry, just look for the train name and number. Once you find it, look for the platform. At the platform, look for your coach and board. Usually once you board, there would be the journey display on the monitor. So if you see the stop you'll be going at you're on the right track.

Or you could just look for their attendants (usually wearing red) to confirm if the train is heading to Firenze. 

One thing for sure you need to know whats the name of your station. Since there's a lot of other stations there as well. Like ours we'll be stopping at Firenze S M Novella.

So had our breakfast in train, since it was too foggy there's nothing to see really. There's this really nice Italian lady was seating opposite us on our ride to Florence. She says shes going to Florence to stay for the weekend with her boyfriend. 

According to her, winter would be the best time to travel here in Italy. Since its winter. The queue in museums is not as crazy as during spring/summer. Only that the weather would be too cold. 

We actually planned to go to the outlet for shopping, but as soon as we arrived we thought, hey we should just enjoy Florence now that we're here! And of course the easiest is through Hop on and Hop Off (Ho-ho). Bought the tickets online in advance as well. 

Hop on Hop Off Florence - Euro 20 P/P (RM90+-) (24 hours) it starts from the moment you board the bus. So say if you board the bus at 10 AM. And bus tour starts around 8. You'll still be able to board the bus on the next day from 8-10 AM. 

Once arrived in Florence, my mum and I just hang around to get some coffee. Then asked around where's the first stop for Ho-ho. Just look for McDonald and walk towards Piazza Della Stazione and look for the Hop on Hop Off signboard in red. It's like a pole, and usually there would be a lady in red giving out pamphlets. You can also buy the tickets on the spot. She's very helpful when we asked for recommendations on where to stop, or where to go etc. 

The bus stop, each stop has this sign for Hop on and Hop off 

If you still cant find the bus stop, just look for this Cathedral, the Hop on and Hop off Bus stop would be just opposite this Cathedral 

Once we board the bus they'll provide ear phones and a map. Enjoy the ride and view. Ho-ho concept is simple, you hop on and hop off where ever there's a stop. Usually the whole (1) route would take 1-2 hours if you dont get off. And period between two busses are usually 20-30 minutes till the next bus that will stop at the exact same stop where you were dropped off. You can have a look at their winter map/schedule here.

We took the blue route first since we're planning to have lunch at halal Indian restaurant - Zafferano and the route would be around that area.

We only stopped at Piazzale Micheangelo (recommended) to enjoy the whole city view of Florence. Im not sure how to even describe it in words. Its beautiful. That Im pretty sure if Im going to Italy in future Id like to stay in Florence longer.

It was also the best place to buy souvenirs.

  
 

How to get to Zafferano Restaurant.

If you're taking the Ho-ho, get off at Stop 18 (Blue line) Barbetti (Via Il Prato) - It was recommended by the Ho-ho lady as well for street shopping at this area.

Or you can use google map and walk to the restaurant from the train station. (About 15 minutes walk).

Mum and I ordered some naan and briyani  with chicken tika masala. Which was delicious! But didnt finish it in the end and packed home. lol

Chicken Briyani 12,00

Chicken Tika Masala 6,00

Naan 5,00 (I think- Cant remember)

Bottled water 5,00.

After lunch we walked around the area and did some window shopping. And of course just enjoying the view and walk. Sun was out, so it wasnt really cold. But its still too cold for any gelato.

After walking for about an hour we looked for the nearest bus stop and waited for the bus, and went for the next red line. Which covers outside the city as well. Our train back to Milan is scheduled around 6. So we planned to be back at the station at least by 4.30 just to settle down. Since the last bus is at 4. We have no choice just to ride the whole journey without getting off. But the bus did stopped at a small town called Fiesole for half an hour. Enjoyed the view from the other side of city. Sadly  most of the shops there were closed. Including the teater. Not sure why. Might be because its winter and shops closes at 4?

(PS: If you watch the cooking show "Extra Virgin" on 727 , this is where Gabriele is from!)

(Hey Izz! Rora has her own restaurant here) 

Once back at the Station, we walked around these shops that sells leather goods. Could be local-not-famous-brand. Which I end up buying a leather handbag for 55 Euro. Theres a few halal shops there as well. So its not that hard to look for halal food in Florence. Just walking distance. Wanted to buy some food for dinner but mum said it would be troublesome to carry around since we need to take the train back to Saronno as well.

Few of the halal restaurants I spotted nearby the train station.

While waiting for our train we had a short chat with this really cute Italian couple. There wasnt any seating area in the station so we were sitting on this random board. The guy even gave me his seat and his girlfriend said "its okay, he's a man he can stand". He actually said he wanted to smoke so he said I could sit. To be honest its rare to find nice friendly Italian people. Its either because of the language or they're just not friendly. But I'm blessed to meet a few nice ones while in Italy.

The train back to Milan was a quiet one. We slept most of the journey. And my dad texted saying he'll be picking us up at the train station. We weren't ready for what was waiting for us at the station.

When we arrived, the station was filled with group youngsters hanging around disturbing people. It was a scary sight. Like it wasnt safe. Nope. didnt feel safe at all. Luckily my dad's friend was there to help us out. And drove us back to Saronno. Once they dropped us off, dad went off for dinner with the company. We just ate the leftovers and some Cup noodle for dinner. Spent. Florence is definitely in my "place to visit again" in future . Would love to spend few nights there and drive up to countryside of Tuscany.

And of course, to visit the leaning Pisa.

Oh well. maybe next time :)

And... to be continued! Milan & Venezia!