Difference between Florence & Singapore

We stayed in Florence for 2 days. It was a beautiful city in which we did not manage to fully experience. Afterall, Florence has been recently ranked as one of the top 5 most beautiful cities in the world by Forbes, whilst Singapore is unplaced. Singapore tops the world in other ranking boards. For e.g. in 2011, Singapore was the number 8th most expensive city in the world. On the other hand, Rome, the metropolitian city cloest to Florence, was given a ranking of only #34. So, yes, Florence is indeed not only beautiful, but also inexpensive. The only exception though was my 8 euro gelato.

Florence is a city noted for its history, culture, Renaissance art and architecture, and monuments. An Italian told us that 60% of the world's art pieces are found in Florence. Florence's Duomo was completed way back in 1436 after 150 years of construction and was the world's largest cathedral then. Today it is still standing. From then till the present day, only 3 churches have beaten the size of this Duono. Personally, I liked how the exterior walls were presented, i.e. in alternate vertical and horizontal bands of polychrome marble in white, green and red.

Ponte Vecchio (the Old Bridge) was also worth some Kodak moments. It was built in 1345 & remains standing strong today. The view of the bridge and the view off the bridges were spectucular.

Indeed, whilst Singapore deletes the old & brings on the new, Florence contains the old amidst the new. That's a tough order, but Florence has brought aesthetics & preservation of the ancient arts together. That itself is a city art.