Firenze Number Nine Hotel & Spa is Nearly Perfect

WOW, this was the BEST hotel my wife and I had the pleasure to stay in. Thanks to everyone on this site that recommned this hotel. We stayed in room 308 from April 3rd - April 8th. It was/is the perfect location in Florence. Our room was fantastic but I haven't gotten to the best part; the staff was Excellent and proved it everyday. I'm talking about the housekeeping staff and the desk staff.

I wrote two of the young ladies names down but can't find them now to single them out for above and beyond service. In the afternoon around 5pm they offered light snacks, wine and other drinks free of charge to guest. One hotel employee managing this and they did a outstanding job too. My only probably with this setup, the same people were there every afternoon waiting for this and monopolized it. They took every seat and didn't move until everyhting was gone and acted VERY snobbish. They were NOT part of the hotel; just rude sobbish guest. We're not wine experts so didn't fit in that crowd. Oh well.

We recommend the hotel 100% and if you get room 308; hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Thanks Firenze Number Nine for the highly enjoyable stay. Sorry we did not use any of the spa facilities but looked in on them and they were very nice. One more thing, I liked that the windows could be opened and let the fresh air in. We can confirm that all major tourist attractions were easily reached by walking. We came from train station to hotel within 10 minutes too.

Room Tip: Room 308 with a view of the DOME and street below.

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Loei: The Kind of Destination that Guidebooks Call a ‘Hidden Gem’

Two hours down the road from Lao PDR, Loei rests in a fertile valley. Few Thai towns are less spoilt than Loei: the kind of destination that guidebooks call a ‘hidden gem’. Hardly any farang (foreigners) have locked onto it yet.

Water features

One attraction of Loei is its bracing marigold-scented air that reflects its remote rural surroundings. Loei, which means 'beyond', lies amid a sea of mountains. So many surround it that you could almost be in the Carpathians or the Alps.

Hike a few of them and you will discover scores of waterfalls, not least the deafening Tat Hong, which soars 40 meters. Other attractions beyond the outskirts of town but firmly planted in Loei province include the winery that conjures up Chateau de Loei and a Kunming-style rock garden. Then there is the boating reservoir where thatched dining areas convert into rafts that boatmen tow into the middle of the lake for a few hundred baht (price negotiable).

Pagan parties

 Loei has several  festivals: a rocket festival, a cotton flower festival and the incomparable 'Pi-Ta-Khon' – a June outdoor masked ball intertwined with Buddhism and ancestral spirits. The partying rarely stops. Seemingly every other day, musical marchers of some description skip through the streets, jauntily belting out a plinky guitar riff and clowning around in accordance with the dictates of the unofficial national religion: sanook (fun).

Drab stab

The reason that so few farangs join the throng may be that Loei is not exactly a gourmet’s paradise. Loei just has a few fancy cafes and upmarket eateries, such as the riverside Light House restaurant. Another reason for the tourist neglect might be that some guidebooks dismiss Loei as a 'drab' stopover, although that's their loss.

River roll

Aside from the processions and the town’s humming space age club, Robot 2029, Loei can seem sleepy. If you go, you may find that you fall into the hypnotic routine of following the gleaming, bendy Mekong offshoot that snakes through the outskirts, hosting carp, catfish and various swishy beauties reminiscent of angel fish.

Green belt

Beside the river, the 'lungs of Loei', Kut Pong Park, serve as the stage for an 'outdoor gym'. Loei’s other town park, which reclines beside the Amari-run Palace Hotel, is more laid-back and ornamental, with paradise overtones. Both parks are pretty much welded together by a wobbly adrenalin thrill suspension bridge that is deeply disconcerting the first few times. As you head along the bridge, it buckles and rumbles. Somewhat bizarre.

Skew circle

One roundabout near the river on Chum Sai Road scores even more oddity points. Fairy-light models of butterflies and dinosaurs, including a pterodactyl, sprout from it, shining at night. Only in Loei.

Getting there:

Bangkok-Loei bus services run from Mo Chit Mai bus station, Tel: +66 2936 2852-66. The trip takes about seven hours.

Loei Tourism Coordination Centre District Office (Old building) Charoenrat Road, Tambon Kut Pong Amphoe Mueang, Loei 42000  Tel. 0 4281 2812, 0 4281 1405; tatloei@tat.or.th.

Travel tip: For much of the year, Loei is cool. During summer, especially the month of April, the heat can be brutal, so pack accordingly.

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Hotel Davanzati is A True Home in Florence

If you stay at the Davanzati you should expect to leave feeling like one of the family. Tommaso and Fabrizio go far out of their way to make sure everything you need, even unusual requests, are taken care of. I stayed for four nights this April in advance of a writer's retreat I was hosting in Florence. I am not exaggerating when I say that I could not have gotten things ready for the event without Tommaso's help.

I had reservations for my group at two different restaurants which, despite Tommaso calling in advance and telling them I was coming in to meet and set menus, treated me poorly when I arrived. Tommaso then called two other (excellent!) restaurants where he knew the owners. He told them my story, made sure they would not only be expecting me but would treat me, and my group, very well. Those were the two best meals our group had in Florence, and we were treated like royalty.

In addition to the Davanzati hospitality, the hotel is impeccably decorated, stylish, immaculate and smack in the center of everything you could ever want to do in Florence. They host a happy hour each night which is a fun way to meet other guests and mingle. 

I recommend the Davanzati without hesitation for anyone looking for a special stay in Florence where you will be treated as a true guest and not a number. I know I will be going back!

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Amazing Komodo Dragons in Indonesia

You can smell it a mile off. One of the most distinctive traits of that giant Indonesian carnivore, the Komodo dragon, is its pungent, meaty aroma.

Formidable

Up to three meters long, the malodorous monster can weigh over 100 kilograms, making it the world’s heaviest lizard. Beady-eyed, it has a long, flat head with a rounded snout, rough skin and bowed muscle-bound legs that enable it to run at 20 kilometers per hour.

Nobody could call the Komodo dragon good-looking. But, from the tip of its forked yellow tongue to the end of its massive tail, the dragon is extraordinary – one of the most striking animals you will see anywhere and up there with any of Africa’s 'big five' (that is, lions, African elephants, Cape buffalos, leopards and rhinos).

Moonscape moves

The dragon’s lair is Komodo National Park, a barren and blistering Indonesian archipelago that hosts some 2,500 members of the formidable species. With the help of the wind, a Komodo dragon can scent a whiff of fresh blood as far as eight kilometers away, then set off in hot pursuit.  Otherwise, counting on camouflage and patience, it scours the landscape for passing prey. When a victim comes into view, the Komodo dragon pounces. Using its stocky legs, claws, and serrated, shark-like teeth, the dragon then consumes its prey.

Poison payload

Until recently, scientists believed that the dragon’s saliva was teeming with toxic bacteria. New research shows that a dragon actually oozes venom into the wounds, which are already big enough to cause its victims' death through blood loss.

Hit-list

Capable of consuming over half its weight in a single meal, a Komodo dragon can take down and terminate creatures that match it in bulk. Its diet includes both deer and water buffalo. The dragon has even been known to kill people. In one case, a Swiss tourist who sat down alone was apparently attacked and eaten by a Komodo dragon.

Hauntingly, about all that remained of the victim was his camera. The incident happened way back in 1974. But cases have happened this century, too.

Fortress mentality

In their efforts to keep Komodo dragons at bay, Indonesians unlucky enough to inhabit the Jurassic Park build their homes on stilts and keep their goats on raised planks. In the evening, when the dragons get twitchy, the villagers rarely venture beyond the glow of outdoor lanterns. Nor do they wear red. The colour could be mistaken for blood and catch a dragon’s eye, it’s believed.

In another defensive measure, the villagers ensure that the dinosaur-like beasts have tons of natural prey to pursue. That means leaving them the Timor pigs that are a dragon diet staple, and generally skipping hunting deer and water buffalo.

Pussycat possibility

So, in theory, the reeking reptiles you meet at Komodo should be well-fed and placid. Still, just in case a dragon turns even uglier than it looks, park guides carry sticks.

Getting there: Komodo can be reached by traditional local sailing boat from Sape Harbour on Sumbawa Island or from Labuan Bajo at the tip of Flores Island. Scheduled flights from Denpasar, Bali, are another option. Bear in mind that you need a permit from Komodo National Park office. A three-day pass costs US$15.

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Four Seasons Hotel Firenze - Lovely Short Stay

This Hotel is lovely and very conveniently placed. It is almost in the centre of Florence without being in the main heavily tourist areas. It is only a short walk to the Duomo talking about 10-15 minutes. As the hotel is not located in this main area it is a lot quieter around it making it a great place to return to after a day of sight seeing whilst still being central enough that you can walk to many of Florence's attractions. 

The rooms are very spacious and nicely laid out. The bedrooms are a good size and are kept very clean and tidy. There is a spacious safe in the room which can fit a laptop inside it. However, some of the rooms have small wardrobes which are not a problem for a short stay, if staying for longer though they may be a bit small but there are chest of drawers which are a very good size. The lounges with the suites are a nice size and there is a good sized desk to work at if this is required. The bathrooms are large and also very clean. There is a separate bath and shower and two sinks with plenty of room. 

There is an extremely good restaurant in the hotel which is also where breakfast is served. This is a lovely room to have breakfast in and the buffet is substantial with a large selection. However, hot food has to be ordered separately but there is also healthy options on the menu and there is a large choice of items on the breakfast menu. The bar area in the hotel is also lovely. The décor is decadent but yet it does not come across as being over the top and the glass ceiling lets in a lot of natural light. Food is also served here and is also very good. The overall décor of the hotel is very reminiscent of Florence being quite lavish yet as said before it does not feel over the top or stuffy and the space is used well.
Overall this is a lovely hotel, well located, clean, and with very friendly and helpful staff.

Room Tip: Try and get a room with a garden view.

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Phnom Penh’s Shopping Crossroads

One of Asia’s less discovered, and decidedly less polished gems, Phnom Penh stands at a crossroads between Asia’s past and present, yet its contrasts are never more apparent than when it’s time to go shopping.

With its motorists’ notorious disregard for pedestrians, navigating between the city’s bustling markets, air-conditioned shopping malls and scattered art galleries can be a challenge in itself.  However, the bargains are out there, and a new wave of boutiques is putting Phnom Penh firmly back on the shopping map.

First, though, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got enough money in your pocket.  Almost all transactions can be made in both US dollars and Cambodian riel.  A handful of shops accept credit cards, and often with a three per cent surcharge.  A good idea is to visit the ATM inside the Mekong Bank at 220 Sisowath Quay as it doesn’t charge for international cards, although it’s only open during business hours. 

The Riverfront district is a good place to start a shopping expedition, as it’s home to an appealing mix of international cafés, shops and some of the city’s best bar/restaurants, including the three-storey colonial-style Foreign Correspondents' Club. 

Walking along the Riverfront will take you to Central Market; a traditional market selling everything from flowers to video games.  Central Market is not short of 'copy' DVDs and CDs, although it’s worth remembering that they tend to have a 10-20 per cent failure rate if you’re planning to stock up. 

In general, handmade goods such as shoes and silks are of decent quality in Phnom Penh.  Popular tourist buys include silverware, traditional handicrafts and tailored clothes, with vendors usually open to some negotiation on prices.  If a new suit is on your shopping list, it’s worth taking a stand against overly insistent motodrop drivers on the hunt for commissions.

Whether you’re at the mall or the market, the vast majority of sunglasses you come across are unlikely to offer UV/polarized protection, but that may be a small price to pay for having a pair of 'Raybans' in every color of the rainbow.  Likewise, most wristwatches on offer are counterfeit, despite often coming with very convincing stories of their authenticity.  A shopkeeper at one souvenir shop outside Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison) is known for spinning the endless yarn that the vintage Rolex and Patek Philippe watches she displays once belonged to her deceased husband.

While most of the electronic goods on sale in Phnom Penh may not survive the trip back home, the city is one of the cheapest places in the world to buy a Macbook or iPod. Premium Apple Resellers, iOne, set their prices in US dollars at the same rates as in the USA, without added tax. 

Off the track of normal tourist areas, the Russian Market sells genuine designer clothes at massively discounted prices.  Made in local factories, the only catch is that the items have minor production flaws such as stitching errors, and shoppers have to inspect each item closely before buying. 

Much higher-up on the scam-o-meter are the fake jewelry and syntactic gemstones awash in the Russian Market.  The golden rule is to never buy from a booth which cannot issue a certificate of warranty.

Catering to the city’s growing middle-class population and less colorful than the traditional markets, the soothing air-conditioning and fast food outlets at Phnom Penh’s Western-style malls can make them a sight for sore tourist eyes. Sorya Mall was joined by the shiny new City Mall in 2009.  Both have fully stocked supermarkets that can satisfy almost any Western craving.

The sale, purchase and export of Cambodian antiques is outlawed, yet a healthy trade in reproductions continues alongside a flourishing contemporary art scene.  Just north of the National Museum, Street 178 or Artist Street has a number of interesting boutiques for art-lovers with attractive prices.

As the real estate developers move in to Phnom Penh, the days may be numbered for the city’s classic skyline and dusty marketplaces, but for now it continues as a heavily-scented, frenetic microcosm of the Asian shopping experience.   

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You Must Stay in Hotel David - Florence

This hotel has to be first on your list of places to stay. We booked quite a few months in advance on the Internet and got an excellent room rate for our stay. The hotel itself is charming and so immaculate, you can really see they pride themselves on hospitality and cleanliness. The rooms are a great size and bathroom....wow! It's huge with a great shower, one that you could stay under for hours. Rooms were cleaned everyday, bed was comfortable and we had a little patio where we could sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. One mini bar was provided which included drinks, water, nibbles, a great touch! There was also happy hour every evening where you could enjoy a drink, chat to others staying at the hotel and share travel experiences, a wonderful idea, more hotels should try this! 

The hotel has laundry facilities for 6e which was terrific for us as we had been travelling for a few weeks, it was so nice to have some clean clothes and no problems leaving items on the clothes airer to dry. 
Breakfast was excellent, everything you needed however we didn't work out you could order a cappuccino until the last day. Juice, eggs, bacon, toast for us Aussies, fruit, meats, cheese, croissants, savoury and sweet tarts.

The staff are amazing! So helpful with anything you need or require. Always greeting the guests with a smile and go that extra mile with everything! I lost my memory card in the room, I mentioned to the reception staff and when we got back later in the day my memory card was sitting on the table. Thank you!!

The hotel is about a 15 min walk to Ponte Veccio and about a 20mins walk uphill to Michelangelo Piazza lookout, there is a beautiful terrace bar at the top to have an afternoon drink and take in the views.
Restaurants in the area were a little hard to find within walking distance. We found a lot to be closed which during Easter we found a little surprising. However do try the first 3 on the suggestions list, all quite nice.

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