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This is the place for Dolce Vita living.  I spent a week in Florence discovering the Renaissance city solo at my own rhythm. It was refreshing to have some alone time. I booked the most perfect location near the rose garden in Florence by chance.

 

Hope you're thirsty because aperitivo time is the best way to introduce the evening. I bought a bottle of Prosecco and went to Piazzale Michelangelo to watch the sunset. It was that breathtaking I went twice.

 

My favourite thing I did in Florence was scooting around Tuscany and sampling world-class wines in the most beautiful locations. Anyone with a license can rent a scooter there. The whole experience was fun, friendly, and way better than driving, (unless you're in a classic 2 seater convertible). The tour guides are wine connoisseurs and they love to talk wine. They took us to two amazing locations:

 

• Diadema Wine Bar & Restaurant: This place had  the most spectacular views I’ve seen. It’s so good it warrants a little fine tuning, (I was in cargos) but I had just came off a scooter so that was ok too. The restaurant is beautifully designed and the perfect spot for a glass of vino and photos.

 

• Fattoria di Bagnolo: If you want a stunning view from a cellar door, this is the place. The vibe is italian vegetable garden / “Call Me by Your Name”. We had more wine and real Tuscan food. After the tour, I bought a €8 bottle of red from the winery. It was exquisite.

 

Walk everywhere. This is how Italians keep fit. Walking around the city center was a highlight for sure. The Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore is a must see in Florence, and to be honest, you can't really miss it. I explored the markets and leather shops, and by accident found the bronze fountain boar. Legend says it's good luck to touch the statue's nose. There’s even little windows in the wall where a hand will serve you wine by the glass. I got a cheap copy of The Alchemist at Paper Exchange Bookstore. The concept of a bookshop for used books seemed pretty cool to me.

 

Food will be high on your list for a trip to Florence and theres a wealth of top-tier restaurants, no matter what mood you're in. Florence just knows what it's doing. Here's my list of beloved places:

 

• All’Antico Vinaio: stumbled upon this sandwich shop. It's worth the hype. I walked right in, no waiting, but the lines are massive during lunchtime. Tried the pistachio cream and mortadella. People love it fiercely.

• Porcobrado Firenze: On the menu are crowd pleasers done well... and reasonably priced. I had the tagliatelle al ragù. It’s either tagliatelle or pappardelle. Never spaghetti bolognese. Paired with a red. I prefer my juice fermented.

• Pokelab issho: I had a raw salmon poke bowl with a Coke. I'm a coke addict, but the soda kind. The bowl was actually so good, highly recommended. I had people coming up to me asking where I got it from.

• Alimentari Mescita Di Vini: This restaurant is tucked away and it was really something special. I went here for my last meal. What's good? The ragu pasta and tiramisu. Incredible obviously. The simplest and uncomplicated dishes are always the best. 

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