Ciao da Firenze! That means ‘Hi from Florence’ in Italian. I’m picking up a few key phrases in my travels here, most of them involving key inquiries like, “Where are the bathrooms?” and “How much does that cost?” Thankfully, since I have no way of understanding the response in Italian, everyone replies in English and I get along just fine. The truth is, touring Italy is easy peasy. The trains are simple to navigate, the food is healthy if you’re willing to forego pasta at every meal, and there’s no shortage of fantastic places to stay. Case in point? The Florence B&B Valdirose Charming Rooms, where I’ve spent two unforgettable nights and am wishing there could be a third!
Valdirose is housed in a refurbished 19th century villa just outside of Florence. Owned and run by Irene Berni and Paolo Moretti, the B&B is in its 9th year of operation and going strong. From the herringbone wood floors to the soaring ceilings, and from the serene neutral palette to the antique curiosities that populate each room, every nook and cranny is utterly exquisite—and utterly Instagrammable! Of course the amenities themselves are decidedly modern: the bathroom is a designer’s dream, and I had the best sleep of my trip in the ridiculously comfortable bed!
Of course don’t forget the ‘breakfast’ part of the B&B! This morning when I stumbled downstairs to the long farm table in the sunroom, Irene had freshly baked almond cake awaiting me. On the side were tiny pots of local jam, a luscious yogurt parfait, and deep, rich espresso with milk. Both Irene and Paolo are impeccable hosts—they’ll even pick you up and drop you off at the train station!—and I cannot wait to return to Valdirose, next time with my family in tow. In the meantime I’ll be reliving the sweet memories on the Valdirose Instagram feed and with Irene’s wonderful Valdirose book. It’s only in Italian for now, which gives me the perfect opportunity to expand my vocabulary considerably before my next trip!