Destination Guide

Florence’s compact layout, with all the main sights and shops in one central area and with many of the streets now pedestrianised, makes it a pleasure to explore on foot. The city is defined as having the Duomo as its centre, Santa Croce to the east, San Marco to the north, Santa Maria Novella and the railway station to the west, and the Palazzo Pitti and the Oltrarno bordering to the south. All our centrally located apartments fall conveniently within these boundaries.

If you fancy being in the heart of the city, there are three apartments situated on the edge of the Piazza del Duomo, a stone’s throw away from the magnificent Duomo, a historical landmark. 

Equally vibrant and culturally rich is the location of our apartments near the Santa Croce, another famed Florentine place of worship. You might also wish to stay in the Piazza della Signoria, arguably one of the world’s most beautiful piazzas and the city’s political centre since the fourteenth century.

There is nothing quite like a river view. Particularly of the Arno, from an apartment near the famous Ponte Vecchio.  This Florentine landmark has been gathering history since 1345 and tells its tale in the medieval workshops and jewellery stores that line it.

A little away from the hustle and bustle of these historic centres is the Oltrarno, situated just to the other side of the Ponte Vecchio, a traditionally quieter area and home to a number of artisan workshops and quaint antique shops. The apartments here are very close to the Palazzo Pitti and the beautiful Boboli Gardens.

While all these are well documented and located with the help of a map and good guide book, walking tours with an experienced guide can be arranged. These provide a historical background to your stay in Florence and cultural information that often only locals are able to divulge. More details on these tours can be provided on request.

To not mention food in the context of an Italian holiday would be to ignore a cultural passion that has been elevated to an unsurpassed art. Soak in the ambience amidst indulging in the gastronomical delights of Florence’s many restaurants, tavernas, pizzerias, and cafes, or prepare your own meals in the comfort of your apartment, with fresh produce handpicked from Florence’s permanent food markets. The two largest and most well-known markets are San Lorenzo and Sant’Ambrogia, with hundreds of food stalls offering fresh fruit and vegetables, freshly prepared delicacies and olive oil products.