Astride the Arno

Astride the Arno: Tuscany

While we'd never encourage people to lob projectiles at Florence's famous medieval bridge, those with a strong arm and a keen aim could probably throw a stone at Ponte Vecchio from this apartment's balcony. Perched just above the River Arno, it's a truly peaceful setting and offers a unique perspective of the destination.

Back inside, there's a classic feel to the design, with parquet floors, artworks lining the walls and antique furnishings lending the atmosphere of a museum or an exclusive members' club. That being said, there are contemporary touches too, like the sleek bathrooms and mosaiced kitchen.

Aside from the famous river crossings, there's plenty more to see in the immediate area. Both the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum and Uffizi Gallery can be reached in under five minutes on foot, while Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens sit a little bit further away just across the Arno.

Home truths:
*There's a lift in the building to reach this single-level apartment
*The building has no private parking available but Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station is only fourteen minutes' walk away
*For safety reasons, no children under the age of 6 are admitted
*There are some signs of general wear and tear on sofas and tables – those looking for something pristinely maintained should look elsewhere
*The entrance to this home is not the most well-presented
*You won't find a welcome hamper or basic essentials here, so we'd recommend packing some bits and bobs to get you started