Visit Roscioli in Rome for authentic Roman cuisine
If you’re planning a trip to Italy, do make a trip to Roscioli in Rome for authentic Roman cuisine. Roscioli was the recommendation of Friend A, who’s from Italy. I am very glad to have eaten there because Roscioli opened our minds to very good cold cuts and Roman dishes. Roman cuisine features fresh and seasonal ingredients from Roman Campagna, a low-lying region surrounding Rome. This includes peas, globe artichokes and fava beans, shellfish, milk-fed lamb and goat, and cheeses such as Pecorino Romano and ricotta. Here’s why you should visit Roscioli in Rome for authentic Roman cuisine.
Roscioli sells a variety of wines, cheeses and cold cuts too.
Why you should visit Roscioli in Rome for authentic Roman cuisine
At the cellar section of Roscioli in Rome.
I would say that Roscioli had very good appetisers and charcuterie. Its pastas were very well done too. The restaurant also had a wide selection of good Italian wines to pair with the food. We sat in the cellar section of the restaurant and had an enjoyable time observing various wine labels from different regions.
1. Lingua (Tongue)
Lingua – or beef tongue
Now I would have avoided having beef tongue at any occasion, but after watching Dario Cecchini on Netflix’s Chef’s Table, I realised that to use and cook all parts of the cow well is to respect the animal. After visiting Dario’s restaurant Solociccia in Panzano, I started to appreciate the off-cuts of different meats. The lingua is probably my favourite dish, seasoned with mustard seeds and orange peel. The meat was firm but not tough, and slightly chewy. I would say it had great texture and flavour – it’s a dish you should definitely order.
2. Selection of Salami
The selection of salami – it was super good and flavourful!
The salami was so good – it went really well with a glass of wine too. I really enjoyed the mortadella (cooked ham) because it was a familiar taste. While the other cuts were less stronger-tasting than jamon, they were flavourful in their own right. It seemed like a big portion but we finished it up quickly.
3. Porcini and tuna pasta
Porcini and tuna pasta
The pasta was one of the best we had in Italy. While we initially thought that porcini and tuna was a quirky combination, it turned out to be very complementary and a good mix of flavour.
4. Amatriciana pasta
Amatriciana – a classic Roman pasta
Amatriciana is said to be one of the most well-known pasta sauces in Roman and Italian cuisine, made up of guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino cheese (sheep’s cheese) from Amatrice and tomato. According to Wikipedia, the sauce originates from the town of Amatrice , the Amatriciana is one of the best known pasta sauces in present-day Roman and Italian cuisine. The amatriciana I had was well-flavoured and the tomato sauce went well with the pecorino cheese.
The Travelling Squid’s Take
As one of our last meals in Italy, Roscioli was very satisfying. The lingua and salami are definitely must-trys. The restaurant also serves a wide selection of good Italian wine. While we were there (pre-COVID), there were plenty of Japanese diners who had made reservations. The two Japanese girls seated next to us had Carbonara – that’s another highlight from Roscioli. If you’re planning to visit, do make a reservation in advance!
Visit Roscioli in Rome for authentic Roman cuisine
Address: Via dei Giubbonari, 21, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Given our inability to travel due to COVID-19, S and I decided to go on a staycation. In essence, our stay at Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel was a pleasant one, other than the discovery of a handprint on the headboard right above the bed. Alas.. I noticed its existence only after resting my head on that headboard for more than a day ⊙ ▃ ⊙ . I also did a test – it was impossible to impart a ‘print’ to the headboard if one’s hands were clean, so… But I digress. Here’s more on our two day staycation at Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel. S had booked this as part of a credit card deal. It was very worth it as it cost SGD350 for a two night stay with breakfast included. The stay also came with a $100 complimentary dining credit, which we used to dine at one of the hotel’s restaurants, Courtyard.
The Room
A two day staycation at Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
The room was very spacious and comfortable. Compared to the room we stayed in at Fullerton a year ago, the design seems a lot more modern too. I would say the pillow and comforter were very soft, indicative of sheets with a high thread count. The room provided access to cable networks such as BBC Earth, BBC News, CNBC, Bloomberg and National Geographic. I’ve got to say it was quite relaxing to watch wildlife documentaries while having some wine and charcuterie.
Marble seems to be a main part of the design.The rain shower could have been a little more powerful, but it was the shower was fine.
The bathroom came with a tub as well, with a glass panel. Great if you’re thinking of having a soak while watching TV.
The bathtub which overlooks the room. Alas! The handprint has been sighted in my photos too.
The Amenities
If you’re planning to work out, the pool and gym is available for use. You will have to make an appointment before going. The appointment slots last for 2 hours each time.
There were more people at 6pm in the evening.
The pool is squarish and short in length, which makes it a tad difficult to do lap swimming. It is a guesstimate but about four laps equal the length of an Olympic size pool. However, the plus side is that there aren’t that many people using the pool, so you have a lot of space to yourself. We were at the pool at 5pm and 12pm, and it wasn’t too hot. It could be due to cloud cover, but the temperature was just about right. The pool started to fill with people at 6pm and it wasn’t too crowded.
The pool faces Ion Orchard. The hotel also has rooms which open out to the pool.The gym was pretty well-equipped.
I found the gym to be well-equipped. There were machines, weights as well as a bar for doing squats. The treadmill was pretty up modern too – it had a feature which allows you to watch YouTube videos while jogging. Similar to our experience at the pool, the gym was not crowded at all. There were just two other people using the pool when we were there.
Some rather advanced treadmills.
The Breakfast
Due to COVID-19, the buffet breakfast is now a la-carte. To order, we ticked off a list of breakfast items. There was standard breakfast fare, with options of ham, bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and fruit. The breakfast fare was pretty standard. There’s only one thing – I wouldn’t recommend getting the chicken noodles as it wasn’t good.
The Location
Located a five minute walk from Orchard MRT station, there’s plenty to do in the vicinity. We visited Ion Orchard to do some shopping and took a walk to 313 Somerset. We also checked out Tangs and its wide array of super cool but rather expensive kitchen appliances and utensils.
Four eateries to visit while on staycation at Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel in Singapore
Kam’s Roasted duck – it’s super good!
There are four good eateries that you should definitely consider visiting. They are a) Kam’s Roast, b) Mui Kee, c) Bistro du Vin and d) Sanpoutei Ramen. Kam’s Roast has one of the best roasted duck and pork and the prices are affordable. Mui Kee, on the other hand, sells authentic Cantonese fish congee which was super delicious. Do visit during non-peak hours as the restaurant tends to get filled up pretty quickly. As for Bistro du Vin, it’s a great place to have hearty, home-cooked French food. The flavours were good and portions generous. If you’re looking to try authentic Shoyu ramen, Sanpoutei is the place to go!
Mui Kee’s Dace Ball congee
The Travelling Squid’s Take – A two day staycation at Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
I would say our staycation was rather pleasant – the moments spent in the hotel certainly felt as though we were overseas. While I thought learning how to bake sourdough was time well spent, the staycation offered a different form of relaxation. It was also gave us an opportunity to visit some really good eateries in Orchard, something we would not have done as we do not frequent Orchard. Apart from the ‘curious incident of the handprint on the headboard’, I would say that our two day staycation at Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel was a decent and relaxing one.
3 options for taking vaccinations in Singapore for study in the US | Photo by CDC on Unsplash
If you’re planning to study in the US, universities typically require you to take a number of vaccines in your home country before you head over. As the requirements differ at state level, this post serves only as a reference point and does not cover all vaccinations required. Here are 3 options for taking vaccinations in Singapore for study in the US.
Vaccine requirements
The university I am planning to attend is in Boston, Massachusetts. The key vaccinations required are:
Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR),
Varicella (a chickenpox vaccine)*,
Hepatitis B*,
TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), and
Meningococcal.
*For varicella and Hep B, a blood test can be done to determine if you have the antibodies.
I am also required to do the Mantoux TB test. Do note that the Mantoux TB test can only be done 4 weeks after taking the varicella and MMR vaccines as they are live vaccines. However, you can take the Mantoux TB test and live vaccines on the same day.
Before doing anything: Request for your immunization records from the Health Promotion Board
If you are born in Singapore, you should have taken the MMR vaccine. To get proof of that, you could refer to your health booklet, or if you’re born after 1996, login to the National Immunization Registry to access your immunization records. If you were born before 1996 (like yours truly) and threw away your health booklet thinking that you wouldn’t need it, do write-in to the Health Promotion Board to request for your records. Their response to me was fast – kudos to them!
Decide: If you want a fast/ more expensive option or a cost-effective option which will take slightly longer.
Once you’ve got your immunization records, you can pick one of the options to take the vaccinations. You should be able to get all vaccinations at Tan Tock Seng’s Travellers Clinic and Raffles Medical. Raffles Medical has added convenience as you can do your Mantoux test on the same day, saving an additional trip to another clinic to do the Mantoux test. That said, their vaccinations cost more than the average clinic.
3 options for taking vaccinations in Singapore for study in the US
Option 1) Raffles Medical Health Check
The fast but more expensive option is to head to Raffles Medical to get the vaccinations and Mantoux test done at the same time. This definitely works if your company is sponsoring the vaccinations and tests. There are other cost-effective options such as visiting the Tan Tock Seng Traveller’s Clinic or your GP.
Pros:
You get all the vaccinations and test done within two sessions (assuming your Mantoux test reading is negative). Avoid visiting Raffles Hospital on Thursdays because the Mantoux test reading requires 2 days and Raffles Medical Health Check is not open on Sundays.
Cons:
Prices would likely be higher than the TTS Traveller’s Clinic/ your family doctor. For example, based on their website, Varicella was priced at $200 at Raffles Medical. I paid $140 for two doses at my GP. TDAP was priced at $40 at Tan Tock Seng and it cost $99.79 at Raffles Medical.
The service at Raffles Medical Health Check isn’t great. Apparently the Mantoux test can only be done on the same day as the administration of live vaccines. This was not communicated to me and I went ahead to do the live vaccinations at my GP before doing the Mantoux test. As a result, I had to wait for 4 weeks before doing the Mantoux test, which was quite a bummer.
Contact details
Raffles Medical Health Check (located at Raffles Hospital in Bugis)
Option 2) Tan Tock Seng Traveller’s Health & Vaccination Clinic (THVC)
Tan Tock Seng Traveller’s Clinic is probably the most cost-effective and convenient option given that they have stock of all the vaccines, including Meningococcal which is slightly harder to come by and may not be available at your GP. They can also help you do a blood test for chickenpox antibodies and Hepatitis B.
I visited the clinic during COVID-19 and was done with my immunizations within 30 minutes. The short waiting time could be due to fewer patients at the moment due to fall in travel demand.
Pros:
The clinic has a wide variety of vaccinations.
The vaccination costs should be priced lower than that of Raffles Medical.
The clinic will also be able to help you take a blood test to determine if you have antibodies for chickenpox.
The nurse on duty was very knowledgeable about the vaccinations and requirements.
Cons:
You will not be able to do the Mantoux test here. The Traveller’s Clinic will likely refer you to the Tan Tock Seng TB unit to make an appointment to do the test. This is slightly inconvenient as the TB unit is located some distance away from Tan Tock Seng hospital.
Contact details:
11 Jln Tan Tock Seng, level 4 Medical Centre Block, Singapore 308433
Phone: 6357 2222 (Best to make an appointment before going down)
Your family doctor may carry MMR, Varicella and TDAP vaccines – it depends so give them a call in advance to find out. I also think it helps to have a doctor you know certify on your medical report form that you have taken those vaccines.
Pros:
Likely to be more cost-effective as compared to Raffles Medical.
Cons:
You may not be able to get all vaccinations at the GP. For instance, you might have to go to the Tan Tock Seng Traveller’s clinic to get the vaccination for Meningococcal.
The Travelling Squid’s Take – Taking vaccinations in Singapore for study in the US
Raffles Medical may be the one-stop shop for all the vaccinations and Mantoux test, but their service isn’t great. That said, if you’re pressed for time, it’s still better to visit their clinic to get everything done at one go. If you don’t mind making an extra trip to get the Mantoux test done separately, I’ll definitely recommend the Tan Tock Seng Traveller’s clinic to get your vaccinations.
Hope you found this useful! Feel free to drop a comment if you have any recommendations.
Are you planning to tie the knot soon? While your priorities may be drawing out seating plans and planning out the menu for your wedding, there are a few other important boxes you need to check before you say “I do.” Get started with these five things.
1. Get Your Marriage License
This important matrimonial document binds you and your betrothed. In most cases you will have to file for a marriage license application in the county where you will be getting married. Depending on the country you are in, you may need to see a county clerk. Once your paperwork is approved and the necessary fees are paid, you’ll get your marriage license. It’s an administrative process, and a necessary one.
2. Manage Debt
OK, you need to talk about the 800-pound gorilla in the room: debt. Whether it’s accumulated from student loans or overspending on credit cards, you and your partner will need to have a serious conversation about existing debts and how you plan to manage them going forward. America’s Debt Help Organization recommends being honest about your debt, which means disclosing how many credit cards you have and their balances, how long you will take to pay off all your debt, and any financial obligations you might have. Once you discuss pre-existing debts, you can make decisions as a couple to tackle debt as a duo and plan your financial future.
3. Talk Bank Accounts and Bill Sharing
Finance expert Dave Ramsey says that combining finances is the first thing married couples should do after leaving the altar together. When a couple decides to manage their finances together, they are banking on a shared future while agreeing on things like hopes and goals, and how to achieve them. Get started by sharing both savings and checking accounts. While each has unique purposes, sharing the two means that you both have a say in how the money is managed. Next, set aside time to manage all closings, money transfers and new openings while deciding whose accounts to close. Additionally, move recurring automatic debts and direct deposits to the shared account.
4. Think About Life Insurance
Insurance experts say that the best time to start shopping for a life insurance policy is when you get married, and it makes sense. After all, it’s when you start sharing a life together. Generally, people tie the knot before having kids or buying a house, which makes it an opportune time to start planning for the future and getting a financial safety net established. Plus, the sooner you buy life insurance the more affordable it is.
5. The ‘Kids’ Convo
Every little bundle of joy comes with responsibilities like round-the-clock diaper changes and bottle feedings. Babies bring big changes to your life emotionally, financially, logistically and even professionally. It’s not only important to acknowledge these changes as a couple, but it’s equally important to get on the same page when it comes to having kids. Have conversations about how you intend to raise your kids, what types of childhoods you each had and express your shared values. Will you hire a nanny? Are you open to adoption? When will you go back to work? No question is too big or too small.
A wedding signifies the beginning of a future together. Make your future together a good one with these practical tips, from having conversations about life insurance and kids to sharing bank accounts and tackling debt together.
Picture of a mantoux test. After 48 hours, the bump should be no bigger than 10mm. Photo credit: By Greg Knobloch – This media comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Image Library (PHIL), with identification number #6806. Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=848106
If you’re planning to study in the US, you might have to take the Mantoux TB test as part of your university’s medical requirements. I was looking for clinics to take a Mantoux TB test and found three places in Singapore which offer it. They are a) Raffles Medical Health Check, b) Tan Tock Seng’s TB unit and c) IMC Camden. (I am sure there are more clinics which offer this test – if you have recommendations do drop a comment in the box below. )
3 places to take the Mantoux test in Singapore
A) Tan Tock Seng’s TB unit
Tan Tock Seng’s TB unit. Photo credit: Google Maps
Tan Tock Seng’s TB unit is probably the most affordable option of the three. It costs about SGD15 a test and it is administered by the nurses there. There is no need to see the doctor. Simply make an appointment, get the test done and return two days later to get the results. This option will go well if you’re planning to do your vaccinations at the TTS Travellers Clinic or at your family doctor. (A separate post on vaccinations will be out soon.)
Pros:
Most affordable option of the three.
Cons:
It’s located in a rather remote location – best to drive or take a taxi.
The nurses will not initial on your medical report form if you have one. You might have to get your family doctor to initial on it based on the results.
Raffles Medical Health check is probably the most convenient option, especially if you are planning to get all your vaccinations there. I’m not sure of the price for a standalone Mantoux test – a check on Raffles Medical’s website puts the price of a US health check package at SGD102 (GST inclusive), which now on hindsight, seems fair after I have been to IMC Camden (see below).
Pros:
Convenient location – the clinic is located in Raffles Hospital at Bugis
You get to do your vaccinations and the test in one sitting. Remember, you cannot do the Mantoux test after the administration of live vaccines like varicella, but you can take them together, on the same day.
Cons:
It will cost slightly more to do the test than TTS’s TB unit, but the convenience seems worth it.
I’m not sure if you can do the Mantoux test as a standalone – do call Raffles Medical Health Check for more information.
Contact details
Raffles Medical Healthcheck (located at Raffles Hospital in Bugis)
C) International Medical Clinic – IMC Camden (don’t go unless you have insurance)
IMC Camden at Orchard | Photo credit: Google Maps
The International Medical Clinic (IMC Camden) had the best service, but was also the most expensive of all. When I called to enquire about the price of the Mantoux test, I was told by the receptionist that it was SGD65. Thinking that it was a fair price, I headed down, only to be presented with a bill of SGD181 after the test was administered. Apparently, the doctor’s consultation fee was SGD100. Now I was rather annoyed because I felt the receptionist had withheld information on the total price. If I had heard that the total cost was going to be SGD181, I would not have visited the clinic. Nonetheless, it’s a lesson learnt – when asking for pricing, be sure to ask for the TOTAL cost involved.
Pricing aside, the service was very good. When my Mantoux reading came back as borderline positive, the doctor asked that I do an X-ray scan at their partner clinic, as part of requirements in my medical report form. That cost me another SGD80. In total, I paid SGD261 including GST. I was very concerned that I would have to see a doctor again at IMC and be charged a further SGD100 for consultation, but thankfully I didn’t.
Pros:
Doctors provided good service; responded quickly to my requests and questions.
Cons:
Price disclosures were not transparent – the receptionist did not disclose the total cost of the Mantoux test over the phone. She quoted me SGD65 but the total cost came up to SGD181, three times of what was quoted.
Pricing was way higher than other private clinics like Raffles Medical. The clinic has a list insurance partners – I’m guessing the patients who pay out of pocket are few and far between.
I was constantly troubled by the fact that the costs from such a simple test could overrun
The IMC did not have an X-Ray facility, so I had to do the scan at another clinic in Orchard.
Contact details
1 Orchard Blvd, #14-05/06/07 Camden Medical Centre, Orchard Blvd, Singapore 248649
Of the 3 places to take the Mantoux test in Singapore, the Tan Tock Seng TB unit is the most affordable option. That said, for convenience, Raffles Medical seems to be a good option too. Whatever you do, I would say avoid IMC Camden (unless you have insurance) because their pricing is way higher than other private clinics, and their pricing disclosures are not great. Personally, insurance or not, I would rather go to a clinic with fair pricing. It should not have to matter whether the patient is covered by insurance or not.
For many people, a trip around South America to explore what the continent has to offer is a dream prospect. Even if travel plans are on hold right now, that doesn’t stop us from making plans for our future journeys. So, if you have your heart set on visiting South America, it’s important to take some factors into consideration for your trip planning, including the tips we’re about to discuss below. Read on now to find out more about them.
Do Your Research Regarding Visas When Traveling Between Countries in South America
Doing your research is always important before you travel anywhere, and that’s certainly the case here too. You should do as much research as you can into the visa situation of the countries that you’re traveling to. Find out what you’re going to need in order to qualify and what the rules will be because they’ll change as you move between different South American countries.
Compare Prices When Booking Tours
Booking tours is a good idea when you’re visiting countries for the very first time. Knowing where to find the right deals and the best prices is key – you don’t have to limit yourself to the tours that are being offered up at your hotel or hostel. Instead, do some digging and compare what’s out there. Nevertheless, taking tours often can be easier and less stressful than visit certain places alone.
Prepare for the Season in Which You’ll be Visiting
It’s a good idea to think carefully about the time of year you’re going to visit South America. Some people like to visit certain destinations off-season so as to avoid crowds. But by doing that, you’ll risk being caught in adverse weather conditions. You’ll also need to prepare the right clothing for your trip to ensure that you’re properly protected from the elements, so shop now.
Learn a Little Spanish Before You Leave
One of the good things about visiting South America is that Spanish is widely spoken across the continent. In Europe or Asia, there are so many different languages that differ from country to country. But a bit of basic Spanish will take you a long way in most countries you’ll visit while in South America. That’s why it’s a wise idea to take the time to learn a little Spanish before you leave.
Find Local Advice Via Facebook Groups
When you’re in a particular location in South America, you should make the most of Facebook Groups. There are some great ones set up by backpackers and travelers who know all the tips and tricks that’ll get you by as you travel around the continent. Make the most of these and talk to people who have already made this trip before.
All that’s left to do is start planning your trip to South America. There’s still a lot of uncertainty regarding travel at the moment, but if you plan things out now, you can get everything booked and set in stone up till the point where it’s possible for you to do so.
If you have only two days to explore Florence, fret not. There’s more than enough time to visit most sights and good restaurants, with time leftover to visit the world’s famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Here are some tips for planning a two day itinerary in Florence and Pisa.
Accommodation: B&B The Attico
The design of the room was well-thought of.
We stayed at B&B The Attico during our time in Florence and it proved to be a very enjoyable stay. The room was well designed and the owner was a friendly elderly gentleman. It was one of the best stays we had in Italy.
Planning a two day itinerary in Florence and Pisa
Day 1
Florence Cathedral
Florence Cathedral – a large of them are under construction.
I’d strongly recommend that you visit the Florence Cathedral, especially if it’s your first time. We visited in the morning, pre-COVID19 and the lines were pretty long. Therefore, I suggest that you head down early to purchase a ticket and book an appointment slot. We arrived at about 9.30am and a line had started to form at various entry points of the Cathedral. We bought tickets to view the Dome. The viewing was scheduled to start at 10am but it started at about 10.15am. There are plenty of steps to climb up (at least 7 stories) so you’re in for a walk.
Paintings on the Dome of Florence Cathedral – it’s impressive
I’ve got to say that the artwork on the Dome of the Cathedral was really amazing. Plenty of man hours must have gone into painting these frescos on the ceiling of the Cathedral. Apart from access to the Dome, the ticket provided complimentary access into the Cathedral’s museum. It featured plenty of religious artifacts and sculptures. It could be interesting for a history buff but it’s not really for me. That said, the complimentary toilet is worth entering the museum for.
Florence Cathedral from the top
Pitti Palace
The Pitti Palace’s Gallery of Modern Art was one of my favourite art museums because the art pieces were very interesting. In comparison to the Uffizi Gallery, I particularly enjoyed the relatively modern art pieces, like ‘Afternoon in Fiesole (Self portrait)’ by Baccio Maria Bacci and the ‘The Arno River And The Holy Trinity Bridge In Florence’ by Antonio Fontanesi.
The Arno River is a great place for photography at different times of the day. While I’d say the buildings could use a fresh coat of paint, there was a historical charm around them. At night, we spotted people jogging by the side of the river’s edge.
Our journey to Pisa was straightforward. We left Florence at 9am to head to the train station. Bought a ticket at the Firenze train station – tickets are readily available so don’t worry. Just remember to alight at the Pisa San Rossore train station, which is after Pisa Centrale.
As for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, all I can say is that it’s worth a visit at least once in your lifetime. There is an option of taking some Instagrammable shots of you virtually holding up the leaning tower with your fingertips. But for me, entering and walking up the leaning tower was the biggest draw. The walk up the spiral staircase was quite an experience because you could feel it slanting to one side – be extra careful!
The Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Pre-COVID19, it was very crowded.
It was pre-COVID times and the Uffizi Gallery was packed with people. As shared earlier, I didn’t enjoy it as much as Pitti Palace largely because of the crowd, and while there were a number of Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpieces in there, they failed to move me. Largely because there was a huge crowd around and I find it hard to appreciate pictures of angels and saints in them. Should you be a fan of Da Vinci’s work however, Uffizi has a Leonardo Room when you can see famous pieces such as ‘Adoration of the Magi‘ and ‘Annunciation‘.
Group of Hercules slaying the Centaur Nessus at Uffizi Gallery
Gelato recommendation
I ordered a medium sized gelato and could not finish it.
While in Florence, you should definitely have a gelato at Gelato Neri! Since its inception in 1989, this gelateria has been serving up smooth, super flavourful gelato which is definitely worth a try. Do note that they do not have a large variety of flavours and serve mostly traditional flavours such as pistachio, vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut and fior-di-latte (milk). The pistachio and chocolate were very good.
Having Florentine steak at L’Osteria di Giovanni in Florence – check out that crust!
For dinner, we had Florentine steak which has got to be the most flavourful, lean steak I’ve had in my life. It’s crust had a nice crunch and it actually felt pretty healthy, compared to the other meats I had at New York steakhouses.
During our last night in Florence, we had dinner at Trattoria Cesarino, a simple restaurant near our service apartment B&B The Attico. I had taglierini with artichokes and octopus and S and I shared a Tuscan beef stew. It was one of the simplest yet most delicious meals in my life. A nice touch was their serving of complimentary limoncello at the end of the meal.
Ristorante Natalino was a nice place to have dinner too. I had a ‘Fresh pasta with meat sauce’ and really liked that. The crostini with chicken liver is great too!
A prosciutto pizza at Marlborghetto in Florence – Planning a two day itinerary in Florence and Pisa
We visited Marlborghetto for our first dinner in Florence. It’s a short walk from B&B The Attico as well and they served really delicious pizza and really affordable wine. Couldn’t ask for more.
Florence was one of the highlights during my trip to Italy. It was packed with so many good restaurants as well as bars. (I didn’t take note of the name of the bars, just recalled that most of them were generous with spirits used in their cocktails.) The museums and galleries were truly fascinating, though I’ve got to say that if you are not a history buff, do space out your visits as visiting museum after museum can get tiring and turn into a ‘ticking off a checklist’ sort of exercise. In essence, visit the museums and key sights, but also take the time to enjoy the great food Florence has, including its famous gelato.
Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone arch bridge over the Arno River, in Florence, Italy. According to Wikipedia, it is known for the shops built on it, such as butchers, tanners and farmers. Today, souvenir sellers, jewellers and art dealers are situated on the bridge, which is extremely sturdy given its age. The bridge was swept away several times since it was first built – it was rebuilt several times across the 1300s. I took pictures of Ponte Vecchio at different times of the day and the lighting made a world of difference. Here are some pictures of our walk around Ponte Vecchio and Arno River in Florence in Florence.
A walk around Ponte Vecchio and Arno River in Florence
View of the Arno River from Ponte VecchioBuildings that line the side of Ponte Vecchio
Interestingly, Ponte Vecchio was not destroyed by the German army during their retreat at the advance of the British Army on 4 August 1944 in World War II, unlike other bridges in Florence. According to the locals, this was due to an order by Hitler. However, the Germans did block access to the Ponte Vecchio by obstructing the destruction of the buildings at both ends of the bridge. These buildings have since been rebuilt, incorporating both original and modern designs.
The Vasari Corridor which leads away from Ponte Vecchio.
According to Wikipedia, the Vasari Corridor is an elevated enclosed passageway in Florence, central Italy, which connects the Palazzo Vecchio with the Palazzo Pitti. I recalled walking along the corridor on the way to Pitti Palace and I felt as if I was brought back in time, walking through the corridor to meet a Doge. As the pillars and arches were symmetrical, it was a very immersive architectural experience.
The Travelling Squid’s Take
There’s nothing much to buy at Ponte Vecchio unless you’re looking to bring back souvenirs or some jewelry. However, the walk around Ponte Vecchio was pretty relaxing and so was the Vasari Corridor. Highlight recommended especially if you’re on the way to Pitti Palace from Duomo di Firenze.
3 shipping options to relocate items from Beijing back to Singapore US and Thailand – My friend Cathy contributed to this post, do check out her blog at https://catchmeifyucan.com/.
In an earlier post, I shared my experience moving out from my Beijing apartment remotely. I was studying in Beijing and had returned to Singapore early this year. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, I was unable to return as planned. In May 2020, I thought that there was a chance of returning to pick up my belongings, which were at a friend’s place. Unfortunately due to the second wave of COVID-19 infections, I decided to ship my belongings back from Beijing to Singapore. It was a journey full of ups and downs, largely because Friend C and I had initially selected a rather unreliable logistics provider, Seven Seas Worldwide at the start. (For more, see below.) But thankfully, we switched to a more reliable provider for the actual shipment. Here are 3 shipping options to relocate items from Beijing. I have included the rates to the US, Japan and Thailand too. Hope you find them useful!
3 shipping options to relocate items from Beijing
1. DHL/Fedex agent (highly recommended)
This logistics provider was a local contact from our friend’s Beijing property agent. Do note that he is not employed by DHL or Fedex, but consolidates orders and sends them through these couriers. You get a tracking number as well, which is great. The DHL/FedEx agent was very professional and acted really fast too.
When I contacted him at 11am on a Thursday morning, he said he could come down at 2pm to pick-up the goods. By 3.30pm, we were done with the packing (I approached my friend’s housing agent for help with virtual packing) and the boxes were on the way to his warehouse. What was really helpful was that he advised us on what could not be packed in the boxes. For example, battery packs, electronics, make-up creams and contact lenses had to be be packed and mailed separately. The DHL/Fedex agent also helped us with the customs declaration of items in the box, which was really helpful as we were not there in person.
My items were initially 1.5 boxes full, but as they were mostly filled clothes, he suggested for my agent to compress them into 1 box. That helped me save CNY1,900 as it seems that the pricing is based on weight and box. In the end, I paid CNY1,900 for a 25kg standard box.
While the agent conversed with us only in Chinese, I felt that the language barrier wasn’t an issue if you had a basic understanding of Chinese. WeChat translate really helps too.
Our classmate T also used this provider to ship items back from Beijing to Japan, and the cost was about CNY5,500 for an air shipment (2 standard boxes and 1 suitcase). The shipment rates from Beijing to Singapore, US and Thailand are as follows (for shipments 24 kg or heavier):
Singapore – CNY95 per kg
US – CNY103 per kg
Thailand – CNY98 per kg
*Note: The rates are estimations and may vary.
I received my boxes within a week and everything was intact. It was a big relief given that our experience with Seven Seas was very stressful.
Pros: There are so many – essentially, excellent service.
Fast response: The agent came down to pick-up the boxes within 3 hours of me placing an order through WeChat.
Reasonable rates: CNY1,900 for a 25kg box air freight from Beijing to Singapore is a reasonable price, for the service quality. For the shipment of 3 standard boxes from Beijing to the US, it was about CNY7,000.
Timely: The shipment to Singapore took about 1 week.
Professionalism: The agent helped condense my items into 1 box. Also advised us on what could be packed into the large box and what had to be mailed separately for a smooth clearance process.
Cons:
If you have plenty of belongings to ship back, it will definitely cost more than Seven Seas Worldwide. As the agent advised us to use air freight instead of sea freight due to uncertainty from the COVID-19 period, you might have to pay more if you are shipping more boxes over longer distances.
2. CIM Mover (pretty expensive)
In an earlier post, I wrote about the reasonable moving and storage rates provided by CIM Mover. Thinking that they were quite professional, I approached them to find out the cost of shipping items back to our home country. Unfortunately, the rates they quoted were too high. For California, they quoted CNY16,000 for a shipment of six standard boxes by sea. For Singapore and Thailand it was about CNY9,000 for three standard boxes.
Pros: If you are unable to be in Beijing physically, CIM Mover handles all parts of the packing and moving for you.
Cons: The price is WAY higher than market rate. I’m guessing cross-border shipment is not their core competency. They could have outsourced this service to another company, and taken a cut from it.
3. Seven Seas Worldwide (not recommended – for cheaper shipping, you can try SF Express which is their partner. Quality not guaranteed)
We initially went with Seven Seas Worldwide but their service in Beijing was unexpectedly bad. I’ve used several logistics providers in Beijing and none of them come close to providing such disappointing levels of service. I was initially planning to ship back 3 standard boxes through air freight via Seven Seas. It would have cost me about CNY2500. I paid a deposit of CNY700 for the delivery of 3 standard boxes.
Most unfortunately, at 3pm on the date of delivery, a Seven Seas staff cancelled the order, apparently due to ‘COVID-19 restrictions’. (Strange, because our DHL agent faced no such restrictions.) I made several frantic attempts to reschedule the order but failed. Emailing didn’t work, and I was told that someone would call me back but no one did. Naturally, I decided to switch to a different logistics provider and told Seven Seas that I would like to cancel the order as the boxes did not arrive. They refused to process the refund as they claimed the boxes had arrived. (This point was moot as we had already shipped our items out.)
Pros:
Of the 3, they had the most affordable rates
Their website is good for getting automated quotes – you can get one in about 5 mins. It’s probably a good way to estimate shipping costs, just avoid using their service. [If you really need an affordable option, try using SF Express, which is their agent in Beijing. The rates are way more competitive than SevenSeas though I can’t be sure of the quality.]
Cons: There are too many
Lack of customer service – couldn’t even provide us with a local customer service number to contact. The customer service didn’t bother to get back to us, only after we filed a complaint asking for a full refund.
Refusal to provide a refund even when the delivery was cancelled (the deposit we made was over US$100 and no one responded to our emails . We sent about 10 emails to Seven Seas asking for clarification with regard to a refund. No one got back to us with a reasonable explanation.
There is no one to guide you through the packing process and goods declaration – unless you’re experienced with that, good luck with Customs
The Travelling Squid’s Take
To be honest, using the DHL/Fedex’s agent service was a leap of faith, because he didn’t seem to be from a professional shipping company with a website we could check out. But I am glad he proved to be a reliable contact, as he provided excellent service at reasonable rates. While the rates provided by Seven Seas were lower (CNY2,500) for three standard boxes, their customer service was abysmal. They first cancelled our order of empty boxes, and did not reschedule. Even though it was negligence on their end, Seven Seas worldwide refused to provide a refund. If a shipping company is unable to handle a simple delivery of empty boxes within the stipulated time period, I wasn’t going to take the chance by allowing them to handle my belongings.
COVID-19 has been a stressful period and I’m glad to be reunited with my belongings at last! My biggest learning is that international companies like Seven Seas may not actually provide the best service in China – they take a big cut and some use an agent, which may mean that they have no knowledge on the ground, hence the service level can only be subpar at best.
If you need the contact of the DHL/Fedex agent, do drop me an email at phebe@thetravellingsquid.com. Good luck!
Hope you found this post on 3 shipping options to relocate items from Beijing useful. Should you have other recommendations, feel free to include them in the comments section below.
As an Asian travelling in Italy during COVID19, it wasn’t the smoothest of all experiences. I was in Italy in early February 2020, just before COVID19 became widespread. It was my first-time visiting Italy and I was looking forward to a great gastronomical experience. I had been planning on trying different types of Italian wine and food, from Brunello to Neapolitan pizzas. Never did I expect to spend a large part of my time in museums and my hotel room reading COVID-19 news reports and texting my friends about them.
When we first entered Italy, there were no reported cases of COVID-19. Still, we were subjected to temperature checks on the plane by airport staff in Hazmat suits when the plane landed. A couple of days later, two Chinese tourists in Rome were found to be affected by COVID-19. I was concerned that there might be bouts of racism as a result.
The butcher is located on the first floor.
Our trip covered several cities and towns including Milan, Venice, Florence and the wine region Montalcino. Thankfully, the people we met there were welcoming – no one moved away from us because we were Asian or denied us entry into their establishments. At the restaurant of celebrity butcher Dario Cecchini in Panzano, he shook our hands and gave us a warm welcome. Our fellow diners were very friendly too – it was one of the best meals I had in Italy.
The regional trains in Naples are rather interesting..
But there were unsettling situations too. While we were taking a train to Naples to Pompeii a couple of days later, two ladies on the train quickly used their scarves to cover their noses the minute we walked into the train cabin. While on an Italo train from Naples to Rome, a couple shifted away from their original seats to be further away from us. We also learnt that the Rome to Hong Kong leg of our flight had been cancelled – as a result we had to fly back from Rome to Madrid, to Hong Kong and back to Singapore instead.
These were a few minor inconveniences we experienced during our trip, with the flight cancellation being the most worrying as we were concerned that other European cities might stop flights to Hong Kong as well. But as we sat in a little wine bar in Florence, we saw this little quote on the wall – ‘Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.’ It encapsulated the best kind of attitude to take in our situation, to embrace what Italy had to offer, even as we had little trust in the certainty of our plans for tomorrow.
Panzano in Chianti – this was where Dario’s restaurant was. This Tuscan sunset was a highlight of our trip.
The Travelling Squid’s Take – An Asian travelling in Italy during COVID19
To be honest, it took a great amount of effort to stay positive, especially when our Cathay Pacific flight was rerouted. I had to calm myself by drinking a generous amount of Negroni and Aperol Spritz, which were fortunately for me, were readily available in the bars of Florence at affordable prices. 乁⁞ ◑ ͜ر ◑ ⁞ㄏ
My biggest learning was that racism will exist where ever you go. COVID-19 or not, these people were not accepting of other races to begin with. It took some effort but I decided that feeling enraged or affected by their ignorance was counter-productive. Instead, I tried my best to focus on the positives of that trip to Italy. My Italian friend A who was super helpful and texted me recommendations on places and restaurants to visit. The many other Italians who were hospitable and warm during our stay there. Many of them welcomed us into their restaurants, wineries and shops with sincerity and a smile. I would like to express my appreciation to them – and I hope to visit Italy again when the dust settles.
