Residenza Casanuova offers a warm welcome in Florence

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Living like a Florentine at Residenza Casanuova

This is Max and Beatrice

If you're the type of traveler that enjoys meeting locals wherever you travel, experiencing the neighborhood and customs of the places you visit, then I highly recommend staying at Residenza Casanuova in Florence.

The bed and breakfast is located in the city center, in the residential neighborhood near the San Ambrogio market where there are also many restaurants and shops. The area is close to the perimeter of the center, near the viali where the old city walls used to stand. A large park with benches and playground is just around the corner, the market is two blocks and many small shops are located along a street less than a block away. In terms of location, the area is ideal for anyone wishing to experience the best of Florence while staying in an area that is still mostly populated by residents.

What makes Residenza Casanuova pretty special are its owners. I recently visited the small B&B to meet Beatrice and Max, the brother and sister who have transformed their family home into a small haven where you can rest your legs and mind while traveling in Italy.

The residence is small if you consider it only has five rooms but since it is a home that has been in the family for generations, you will actually see it is very spacious, just as older homes were built. The owners welcome you into their home (they also live on the same floor) and while you'll definitely get a room and bed to rest and sleep in and a delicious breakfast, with a little bit of conversation you'll end up getting much more.

In the hallway, every object has a story

I visited asking them to show me what makes Casanuova special and I left convinced that if I didn't live in Florence, I'd love to stay at such a jewel when I travel.

Aside from the services they offer as part of your stay, such as an in-room bar and tea/coffee pot and snacks which many higher end places now charge extra for, I believe what will make your stay here special will be in taking in the history of the family and house. The name Casanuova, for example, come from their family name on their grandfather's side. The house you stay in used to be their grandparents home and so Beatrice and Massimiliano visited and grew up playing in the rooms of the Residence. Each of the rooms has its own memories, from where their grandmother loved to read (in the sitting room in front of the fireplace) to things they weren't allowed to touch as kids (such as the very precious Venetian glass mirror in one of the bedrooms).

Renovating the house to permit visitors to Florence to stay with them has been a very personal choice of life, sharing their family history and home to strangers. Don't hesitate to ask about the history of the decorations in the spacious bedroom you stay in that give it its name, from the umbrellas to the hats to the tin boxes, mirror or prints: you'll hear an interesting story, learn a detail about their ancestors or recall a memory from childhood. Ask about the portraits, who they are but also who painted them as creativity runs in the family.

Make sure to ask about the initials...

As you set out each day to explore another corner of Florence, make sure to ask Beatrice and Massimiliano for recommendations and tips, especially as concerns experiencing Florence as a local. They both love their neighborhood and are happy to share their favorite restaurants, shops and bakeries. Beatrice offers guests cooking lessons and can take you on a tour of vintage shops or of the area – just ask! If the weather permits, spend time enjoying the peaceful quiet of the terrace that faces onto the back of the palace from where you'll enjoy a special view of the nearby Synagogue.

No matter how long or short your stay in Florence is, staying at this family-run residence will make your time in Florence a memorable experience.

Residenza Casanuova in currently closed

Please check out similar B&Bs in Florence where you will find friendly hospitality and locals offering an inside view into the city at Bed and Breakfasts in Florence

Ask about the chest in the corner for a great story!

About Lourdes Flores

I'm American and I've been in Florence for over 13 years! I still love to explore Tuscany; it is a lot of fun keeping the eyes of a "tourist" and seeing everything like the first time. It isn't hard, as there really is a lot to explore in the region, even in the Florence and main towns. I enjoy sharing my experiences as well as knowledge gained through the years of living here in Tuscany, offering help in your travel planning through our Forum. If you have questions, post them there!