How about a lovely trip to romantic Florence? Sounds great! And not just for couples and families! If you like to travel on your own, you can thoroughly enjoy all the city has to offer too. And not just for its legendary beauty, as safety is a major factor to consider when you’re going it solo for men and women travelers. Walking through Piazza Duomo, Via Calzaiuoli, or Piazza della Signoria and feeling safe is a priceless pleasure, and in Florence, your peace of mind is always protected.
In Florence, violent crimes are very rare (in fact, American cities are much more dangerous in this respect). To best roam the historic center in all its beauty, you need nothing more than your own two legs! Of course, to avoid unpleasant hassles, it is best to leave your valuables in the hotel and explore Florence, always keeping an eye on your handbag or backpack, as you would do anywhere.
Another good idea is to find a place to call your own in town with local people who can give you advice to help you make the most of your stay in Florence. Staying in a family-run accommodation like the Principe Hotel & Apartment will let you get to know a real Florentine family who you can count on to suggest tours, give you tips for exploring its famous sites and equally-fascinating but lesser-known corners, and share ideas on organizing personalized tours and shopping trips.
If you stay here, you’ll find Florence is even easier to explore: the Principe Hotel & Apartment is located just a few minutes’ walk from the city center. You can enjoy the city worry-free and explore Florence how it’s best seen: on foot. Our hotel is on the Arno river, which makes it ultra-easy to get oriented while soaking up the magnificent view of the Oltrarno hills to the south of Florence. Just a ten-minute walk along the Arno River and you’ll get to Ponte Vecchio and its world-famous old houses, now the home to goldsmith shops, with the Vasari Corridor on the upper level.
A few steps away is the Uffizi and the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where some of the most famous artistic beauties in the world are concentrated in a small patch of land, including Palazzo Vecchio, the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, known as the Duomo, and the basilicas of Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella… all within ten minutes by foot from the Ponte Vecchio. And it’ll only take you five minutes to cross Ponte Vecchio to get to Piazza Santo Spirito, Palazzo Pitti with its museums and the magnificent Boboli Gardens, also home to the Porcelain Museum.
You’ll be immersed step after step in this harmonious world of artistic perfection. If you’re in the mood for shopping, you’ll find a full array of shops to suit every taste.
Whether on your own or with others, we can’t wait to see you in Florence!
Words: Francesca Cosi e Alessandra Repossi
Photographs: Francesca Pagliai
