| Accessibility in Florence, Italy |
|
Florence is the artistic capital of Italy and a few words could not describe such a beauty. The town is not so easy for disabled especially because of the cobblestones and the narrow side-walks; but thanks to the years 2000 Jubilee accessibility in Italy has improved a lot.
Florence is not too big for walking tours and it is very recommended to do a guided visit of the historical center at the beginning of your stay. It can be easily done in half a day. Florence doesn't have underground lines but a few buses lines are accessible to wheelchair users with a special ramp. Most of the ATAF orange buses (the urban transport company) are equipped with a flat car deck and a reserved space for one wheelchair. Taxis with special equipment for disabled are not available.
We suggest you to travel with an able bodied companion. The main railway station (Santa Maria Novella), is accessible from Piazza Adua and there is an accessible WC inside. There are other accessible public toilets in the historical center.
Most of the museums where you can admire the masterpieces of Florence artistic past, are equipped for disabled. For example the famous Palazzo Pitti, The Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Academy Gallery (where the David is), the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery are accessible by ramp or by lift.
There are different accessible accommodation and hotels in Florence. They range between hotels with a standard accessibility, to hotels with suitable rooms and bathroom for disabled with roll-in shower. The 3 and 4 stars Hotels in Florence are located in the historical center, usually close to a site of interest like the Duomo or the Ponte Vecchio.
For the gastronomy lovers, you will enjoy great restaurants in Florence which offer traditional menu or typical Tuscan cooking. A lot of restaurants with budget from less than Eu 15,00 to Eu 75,00 are accessible for disabled. Some of them are even equipped with WC for people with disabilities. If you are particularly interested in food and wine tasting in Florence, we can suggest you good accessible restaurants, wine and typical products tasting and even cooking courses.
Florence has become more and more famous for Fashion. It gives hospitality to many world-well known brands and Accessible Italy arranges trips to outlet stores like Prada and Gucci or to stores with leather products designed for disabled!
Thanks to the central position of Florence, during your stay, you also have the possibility to see the surroundings of the city and to visit another Tuscan art city in a half day or full day excursion organized for disabled tourists with professional guides, accessible transportation and museums or sites booked in advance in Pisa, Siena, Lucca Chianti, Pienza, San Gimignano...
People who dream of getting married in Italy, Florence is a perfect place to make this dream come true. There are two places especially suitable for accessible weddings: the Town Hall of Florence in the Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza Signoria and the Church of Santa Trinita.
In the City Hall of Florence, Civil Weddings take place in the Red Hall on the second floor (reachable by lift) and are celebrated by the Mayor. The Church of Santa Trinita, where Catholic Weddings are celebrated, is completely accessible.
No matter what your citizenship is, you can find many organizations that give you full assistance for all the details to be organized for that or other events, to make it as smooth as possible for you here in Italy.
For more information contact Accessible Italy by Regency.
|
|
|
