Galileo

Roomy apartment where each of the four bedrooms has an en suite bathroom, an excellent feature. Super, central location for walking to all the treasures of Florence. Great for large families or groups.

Guests enjoy a warm welcome from the congenial owners, a Florence family that is in the wine business. On arrival they will present you with a bottle of their tasty vintage with their distinctive family crest. In their pamphlet you will be able to read about the history of the building together with other wine offers. They can even organize shipping if you wish to order wine sent home. They know their city well and happily make recommendations for your shopping and dining.

Location

Great, central location. Walk to all the sights. Piazza Santa Croce, the largest piazza in the city, is a 2 minute walk. That location has the great basilica, good dining and often fascinating activities such as the Calcio Storico, art exhibitions, Christmas Market, concerts and plays. The iconic cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is a 10 minute walk. The wonderful Bargello museum, 5 minutes. The immediate neighborhood has many fine and varied restaurants and the most famous gelateria in Florence Vivoli! One block away is Casa Buonarotti, the home and now museum of Michelangelo.

Interior

Located on two levels, the rooms on the first level (1st European, 2nd floor North American) are on the prized "piano nobile", which were once the large noble reception rooms of the palazzo. When we arrived, the walk up the formal staircase gave us a royal welcome sensation.The rooms on the first level of this apartment consist of the living room, kitchen and two large bedroom suites with high ceilings and big windows -- good light. On the second level, up 30 steps, two bedroom suites are of a good size.

This is a fine, classic Florentine palazzo with a large courtyard and formal staircase with one flight of stairs to reach the apartment level, 50 steps.

The living room has a large, comfortable L-shaped sofa and a dining table with a complete kitchen adjoining. The palazzo dates from the 1400s and the bright frescoed ceiling of the living room was painted in the 1800s. 

On this same level, the "aqua bedroom" because of the aqua blue decor has an even more elaborate frescoed ceiling. Two very large windows.

The red bedroom and bathroom is on the other side of the main level. Then, up to the second level are the green and yellow bedrooms each with a private bathroom with step-in shower.

A very interesting aspect of this apartment are the wonderful tile floors. They are traditional, antique tiles that were recovered and polished so that each room has a unique and pleasing floor. 

Things To Note

Neighborhood: Santa Croce

Size: 1300 sq ft, 120 m2

Accessibility/Security: No elevator, but just one floor up a grand staircase to main level (50 steps). Smaller staircase to two bedrooms on second level (30 steps).

Other: Check in 5:00 to 8:00pm, by appointment. Later check in not available.

Room Details

Kitchen

• Kitchen
• Fully Equipped
• Coffee Maker
• Microwave
• Nespresso Style Coffee Machine
• Stovetop
• No Dishwasher
• Small Refrigerator

Accessibility

• Private Entrance
• 2nd Floor North American

Bathroom

• Hairdryer

Connectivity/Entertainment

• WiFi
• TV

Heating/Cooling

• Heating
• A/C

Laundry

• Drying Rack
• Iron & Board - Available Upon Request
• Washer
• No Dryer

Amenities

• Air Conditioning

General Amenities

• Smoke Detector
• Carbon Monoxide Detector

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Local Sights

Piazza Santa Croce (2 mins Walking)
Grand piazza of Florence, largest in the center. Fine historic palaces and reigned over by the brooding statue of Dante Alighieri. The cathedral is the temple to the "gods" of Italy including Michelangelo, Rossini, Machiavelli, Galileo and more. Location of events including Calcio Storico "the most brutal sport".
Piazza della Signoria (8 mins Walking)
Center of power of Florence since ancient times with the David statue by the Palazzo Vecchio, the ancient seat of government, and the loggia of dramatic statues each of which has a story about politics and power. Imagine the Bonfires of the Vanities here and the triumphal return of the Medici.
Piazza della Repubblica (9 mins Walking)
A great piazza of Florence. The shape reflects its role as the forum in Roman times. Now it has fine palaces and a triumphal arch and colonnaded sidewalks. You will see street artists, impromptu musical performances and a colorful merry-go-round. Glitterati in the fancy cafes.
Duomo (10 mins Walking)
Florence's famous and glorious cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, beautiful to gaze at since the 1300s. Don't miss and, if you can, read about -- then visit the amazing dome by Brunelleschi erected without scaffolding!
Uffizi Gallery (10 mins Walking)
One of the greatest museums in the world. The defining collection of Renaissance art. A tour is recommended.
Ponte Vecchio (12 mins Walking)
Awesome ancient bridge over Florence's Arno river that has survived 800 years. Famous for the shops of goldsmiths along its length.
Accademia (13 mins Walking)
Home of the original David by Michelangelo, his dramatic Bound Slaves and a very nice museum.

Public Transport

Santa Maria Novella Train Station (15 mins via Taxi)
Florence's main train station