🇮🇹 3 Nights in Florence

Wheelchair Accessible Italy and More

🏎 No trip from Bologna to Florence for an F1 fan would be complete without a small diversion to Imola, so we took a pit stop and had a quick view of the track, the gift shop and the Rossi exhibition. We were a week too early for the Grand Prix there and it meant we couldn’t get trackside, but it was still worth a visit. They do tours of the track, so if you are an F1 fan then it’s worth thinking about timing a visit to go to the Grand Prix or at a time when tours are taking place.

🏨 We stayed at the Grand hotel Baglioni which is near the central train station and with views of the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella. We stayed in a standard room as there were no accessible rooms available. There are several on each floor and I am awaiting photographs from the hotel. Unfortunately there had been a fire the day before and two floors were completely closed off. This meant the hotel was completely full so I could not access the accessible rooms to take photographs.

The room decor is very traditional with dark woods and ornate pictures. It fits the style of the hotel and certainly feels Grand.

What we liked about the hotel:

It’s location was very central to everything

The views from the rooftop bar are amazing

The lobby area has lots of small rooms with comfortable furniture to relax in and faux fireplaces
Free soft drinks and snacks in Mini Bar

What we didn’t like:

There is a step to the entrance and although you can request a ramp, this is quite inconvenient when a permanent drop could be added

The air conditioning did not work and it was stifling. We opened the windows so it wasn’t a big issue and I thought this may be due to the fire the previous day so we didn’t make a fuss about it

Service on the roof top bar was painfully slow. There weren’t enough waiters or bar staff for the number of people and on one occasion we had to leave after waiting half an hour for our drinks.

The city is medieval and with that comes cobbles. Unlike Bologna which has more smooth pathways in Porticos, Florence is pretty much all cobbles. My son managed but it was difficult, even more so for a person using an electric wheelchair – see instagram post of wheeling on cobbles

We visited:

– The Duomo of Firenze at the Cathedrale di Santa Maria dell Fiore- accessible entrance at the rear of the Cathedral gives quick and easy access. Absolutely stunning ceiling murals and well worth the visit.

– The Accademia – Home of Michelangelo’s David, a stunning renaissance sculpture built to symbolise the growth of the Florentine republic. Easy access at the exit and avoiding queues as well as ramps throughout the museum meaning wheelchair users can easily access every exhibit. The entry fee is free for wheelchair users and a carer.

– The Riccardi Medici Palace and Museum – Accessed from the rear of the Palace, there is a lift which takes you to one level above the museum and from there you have to take a stair lift down one flight of stairs to the museum, however you don’t need to transfer out of the wheelchair. The palace is the former home of the infamous Cosimo Medici the former grand duke of Tuscany, elaborate murals line the ceilings in the main rooms showcasing themes such as motherhood and loyalty. The place’s chapel is one of the best-preserved relics of the Medici we have however the chapel can only be accessed by a small step, although you can view it from the entrance

– The Basilica di San Lorenzo – Accessed by a ramp to the side of the Basilica to get tickets (free for wheelchair user and a carer), the Basilica itself has a small step which you can request a ramp for access. There are some beautiful stained-glass windows and the tomb of Lorenzo Medici. You can then access the courtyard to the side of the Basilica by passing the ticket office and you can enter the museum using a stair lift. Most of the underground area is ramped or you can see exhibits from the doorway. Unfortunately, it isn’t completely accessible but we were able to see most exhibits. There is a nice timeline of the development of Florence and a wax exhibit of scientific discoveries including bodies, organs and plants. The exit is via the gift shop and through a secret exit built into the wall.

The Central Market: Accessed from the rear of the market, there is a ramp to the lower floor where all the shops and stalls are, plus a few places to eat and to the right of the ramp outside is a lift to the first floor. Here there are many food stalls and canteen style dining tables. You place your order at whichever stall you want to eat at, wait for your food and then find a table to sit and eat at. A great experience and plenty of options to choose from.

The Da Vinci Museum: Accessible 1st floor and basement level via chair lift. Free for wheelchair users plus a carer. A great exhibition of Da Vinci’s work. Very interesting for children to see all the gadgets.

Where we ate:

A Balus: Traditional Italian with a modern presentation. More pricey than other restaurants we ate at but very worth it. Would definitely recommend.

Ristorante Sabatini: Traditional Tuscan dishes. The front of the restaurant is accessible but the rear has stairs so make sure to let them know prior to arrival if you need a level access table. Excellent food.

La Salmoneria: Not level access as both the outside and inside eating areas had a step to access. We managed but not suitable if you cannot manage a step. This is a fish and pizza restaurant and my husband had the salmon pizza. He struggled quite a bit to cut it and he couldn’t have the dessert he requested as it was still frozen in the centre. Probably one to give a miss.

I also found a Gluten Free Pizza place which we didn’t go to, but I have added to the pictures for anyone who has a gluten intolerance.