Relive the experiences of the eighteenth-century Grand Tours at Oltrarno Splendid. On the upper floors of a 16th century noble palace. In the historic Via dei Serragli, in one of the most authentic districts of Florence, the Oltrarno.

Original plasters, terracotta floors and old surfaces are flanked by modern furniture and monumental geographical maps by Roberto Almagià. Up there, a room overlooks the Florentine rooftops.

The eclectic design

Frescoed walls return to see the light. A 200-year-old Toile de Jouy wallpaper envelops an entire room. In the bathroom, a modern version of Timorous Beasties catches the eye.

And then: furniture from the Sixties, contemporary works of art, industrial lamps and neon calligraphic writings. They are those made by Betty Soldi, co-owner of the Oltrarno Splendid Bed & Breakfast together with her husband Matteo Perduca.

Discovering Italian beauties

Fourteen rooms. Each one different from the other: «Because it depends on what you find, » explains Betty Soldi. «The Oltrarno Splendid boutique bed and breakfast celebrates the Grand Tours of the 17th and 18th centuries. When the aristocrats traveled to Italy to learn about culture, art and beauty. A time when postcards were sent to share an experience, a new discovery».

Eclectic details bring back old stories and encourage new ideas. The motto? Wake up and dream: «When you wake up you are in a dreamy and nostalgic place. Full of inspiration. We like that people take ideas away with them».

For conscious travelers

The Oltrarno Splendid is a place for exchange and meeting between like-minded people, lovers of quality and creative reuse. Those who know how to appreciate the old to build something new. And above all that they go beyond the Arno river to discover the most authentic and unusual Florence.

«Traditional hotels in Florence are often dusty or too expensive. We wanted to create a hotel where we would like to go. Something stimulating, and even a little nostalgic, in which to bring our passions for art and modernism together, » says Betty Soldi.

«We've hung up our travel menus on a wall. Often an exchange is created with hotel guests who may have been in the same restaurants. Why hang a print purchased at Ikea, just because someone else tells us it's to hang? We hang up our memories, what gave us emotions. And let's share them with the others ».

What to visit in Florence: the addresses of Betty Soldi

1. Visit and buy Artemisia flowers at the concept_restaurant La Ménagère (San Lorenzo)
2. Smell the scents of the historic site of the Antica Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella in via della Scala.
3. Have dinner at our Regina Bistecca restaurant (the dessert tray is a pleasure!)
4. Todo Modo in via dei Fossi for super books
5. Find some antiquities from Luca, in Via dei Serragli 16 (I always buy broken wings from ancient wood carvings, poetry!)
6. Shopping at Société Anonyme in via Maggi
7. Pampaloni for some stupendous silvers, and their restaurant In Fabbrica
8. Procacci for a chic aperitif
9. Tosca&Nino on the terrace at the top of the Rinascente, they are friends and there is a lovely view of Florence.
10. Bizzarri for spices, perfumes and poisons.

www.oltrarnosplendid.com

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