Hello,
We will be in Florence for 4 days in September, staying close to Piazza della Vittoria, Horticulture Garden, and Stibbert Museum. I have been told that we will be about a 20 minute walk away from the center. I have also been told that there is a bus 1 block from our lodging.

My questions are about the surface of the sidewalks going to the center and the bus line.

Does anyone know if the busses in Florence are wheelchair accessible?

Any knowledge of the terain for walking/wheelchair? Flat or hilly, cobblestones, cement sidewalks, or a combination?

Any input will be great.

You will have a challenging time for a wheelchair.

There are a few different types of bus, and in my recollection none have wheelchair lifts, nor can a wheelchair roll on. the average bus has a few steep steps.

Sidewalks can be just fine in some areas, can be narrow at times, and sometimes just disappear. Often there are sudden obstructions on a sidewalk that force one to step into the street for a few steps. the pedestrian center is paved in cobblestones.

Your hotel is located outside the tourist center. I think 20 minutes is a generous estimate of how much time it would take to walk to the center. My estimate would be closer to 40 minutes. There ARE bus routes close to your hotel.

Oh . . . the area of central Florence, including the location of your hotel, is relatively flat.

Thank you, Ellenem. I have put off visiting Italy with my husband due to the difficulty of finding accessible hotels, challenging walking terain, public transportation, etc.

Last Sept I decided that we are only getting older and if we don't go now, we may never make it back together. I have spent many, many fun hours researching for our trip and we are ready (I hope)to meet both the known and unforseen challenges.

Thanks again

I once visited Florence with someone who was using crutches because of an injury. Our hotel had an elevator - - but you had to walk up six steps to reach it. At the Uffizi there was an elevator, but then you still had to go down some steps and up some steps to actually get into the galleries. (When we left, we discovered that there actually was a way from the elevator to the galleries without those steps, but one had to pass through an unmarked door, through a guard break room, and out another unmarked door.) Some of this may have improve in recent years. Be sure to make yourself known as needing access so that you will receive the appropriate access.

Hello Gynna, here are the phone numbers of two taxi companies in Florence that you might want to take with you in case you need a taxi. I don't have the names of the taxi companies, sorry.

055-4242
055-4390

No doubt the employees at your hotel will be of help also.

Wishing you and your husband a special and beautiful time in Florence! Best regards.

You might want to read this book before you go:

"The Accessible Guide to Florence"
Cornelia Danielson

http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bo...x?bookid=23692

And here's an article on wheelchair accessible travel in Italy. The first part covers general issues. The portion on Florence is at section IX.

http://www.globalaccessnews.com/vicenzachabner05.htm

This link is for the Florence tourist board wheelchair access (bus/taxi/hotels, etc).
http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/info...nte-abili.html

The official website says that busses have a flat roll on area . . . perhaps by the driver? I usually get on the back door so maybe that's why I didn't connect it . . . I hope this is true--it would make your trip much easier.

Very useful information.
Thank you LoveItaly, ellenem, Jean, and kybourbon!

Ellenen, after much consideration, I have changed hotels to
HOTEL ORTO de' MEDICI, Via San Gallo, 30 which should be a more central location. Was it you who recommended Omero for dining? If we take a taxi, will the wheelchair be able to wheel into the dining area?

Thanks everyone and sorry for taking so long to respond.

Your new location is much better, much closer and walkable to the sights, even with a wheelchair.

You streets leads into Via Ginori, which ends at the Duomo after passing the San Lorenzo markets. I love walking this street myself, but, FYI, the sidewalks are narrow and disappear at points. the street is cobbled near San Lorenzo. Parallel to your street is Via Cavour, which is a very busy street--while it's not as charming as your street, it has wide sidewalks that will make reaching the Duomo area a bit more easily.

I'm sorry I can't say for a fact if a wheelchair can roll all the way in to the dining area at Omero. You can definitely roll in the door, but there may be a step or two along the way.

Ellenem, your feedback sounds great! We will have an opportunity to explore both paths as we will be in Florence 5 days.

I actually emailed Omoro last week about accessibility and reservations, but they only responded to my reservation question. We will make a reservation and take a chance.