Student of Art

Live like a student of the Florence Academy of Art with a stay at this loft apartment in the centre of Italy’s cultural capital. You’re mere footsteps from the restaurant-packed street of Borgo S. Frediano, where Tuscan produce is turned into traditional dishes. The banks of the River Arno are within five minutes’ walk and it’s a short hop across the water to the Ufizzi Gallery and all the sights of central Florence.

Gallery hopping is the done thing in Florence, so what better accommodation than an art-filled loft with the air of an artist’s studio? Pristine white walls are adorned with vibrant modern works and there are hundreds of books lining shelves in nearly every room. For the musically inclined, an upright piano awaits and the mezzanine study is the perfect spot to get some work done or settle in for a game of chess. It feels as though every past-time is catered for here, including amateur chefs who can try their hand at mastering Tuscan cuisine in the gourmet kitchen. Then there’s the perfectly curated furnishings – vintage dining chairs, antique dressers and an old writer’s bureau just to name a few.

The added bonus? A little rooftop terrace with a bistro set. Out here, you can catch the sun during the day, but it really comes into its own as the sun sets over Florence’s rooftops around you.

Home truths:
*This apartment is on the second floor of a historic building with no lift, so bear this in mind when considering luggage and mobility
*There is a mezzanine-level study with a laptop-friendly desk – perfect for working remotely
*There is no parking with this apartment, but you're in the centre of Florence where car use is restricted anyway and the main sights are easily reached on foot
*There is paid parking in the nearby streets if you do want to bring a car
*Your host can provide a cot, high chair and baby monitor for infants, just ask
*The entrance to this home is shared with the building's other residents