IF YOU’VE NEVER dreamed of running away to Italy to open a B&B with your husband, Valdirose will change your mind. A family-run Bed & Breakfast situated among the hills of Lastra a Signa, not far from the centre of Florence this beautiful place to stay is situated in a 19th-century building 14 km from the 15th-century Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and Boboli Gardens. It is run by Irene Berni and her husband Paolo, and in fact, the former grew up in this home. It was her family home until 2007, after which time it was completely renovated into a B&B with three double rooms, a family room (with a double and single room connected); and a smaller room with French bed. This is a place of worn wood and wicker, faded linen wash cloths, aged pottery and old paintings amongst dried roses and straw basket bags ready for a morning at the market. Guests gush about breakfasts of buttery toast and homemade apricot and fig jam and granola with the honey yogurt served with antique silverware and vintage china and in the veranda, or outside in the summertime. Whether this beautiful world is real or a figment of your imagination, Irene’s visual storytelling has a way of drawing you in…
The rustic and refined rooms of Valdirose with their antique furnishings and muted colour palettes feature free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms and either garden, olive grove, or city views. Room service is also available. Minimum two night stay.
Via Val di Rose, 35–50055 Lastra a Signa.
Reservations by telephone (+39)3475.451.056 and at www.valdirose.com
