Entrepreneur Aparna Thadani describes Florence as a place naturally shaped by attentiveness, presence, and mindful living. Of Indian heritage, born in Hong Kong and raised in Singapore, Thadani, a dedicated yoga practitioner and certified vinyasa instructor, first became acquainted with the city through wellness when she arrived in 2018. As she sought out spaces for expansion and self-care amidst the ancient stone streets, she discovered that the city’s leisurely pace mirrored her own commitment to intentionality. 

This led her to co-found The22 here with partner Lucinda Pasi in 2020. More than a wellness club, The22 merges ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with modern health practices, with programming that spans from daily yoga, pilates, and strength classes to sound baths, conversations on sexual health, and other special events designed to encourage reflection and connection, including silent vegetarian dinners accompanied by Gregorian chant, the latter inspired by her retreat experiences at Eremito, a former monastery transformed into Italy’s first “spiritual” hotel in Umbria.

For Thadani, living in Italy has reframed her understanding of what it means to live well. She’s been drawn to the Tuscan philosophy of life, one that’s rooted in savoring each moment. “Listening to harmonious music for the health of your ears, resting your eyes on green and beautiful things, finding ways to calm and restore all your senses—Florence can feed into that,” she explains. “There’s something unsaid here about intrinsic wellness.”

Through this holistic lens, Thadani invites others to discover a slower, more soulful side of the Tuscan capital. Here are her recommendations on where to nourish your body, mind, and spirit in Florence.

FLORENTINE GARDENS

Boboli Gardens – For anyone who knows Florence, the Boboli Gardens are hardly a secret. “They’ve become a sanctuary for me,” Thadani says. Commissioned by the Medici as part of the Pitti Palace complex, the nearly 75-acre grounds are expansive, with sculpted hedges, marble statues, fountains, and, unexpectedly, a resident flock of bright green parakeets. Views stretch across the city, but what stands out is the sense of space. Even on busy days, Boboli feels large enough to absorb the crowds, offering pockets of quiet where you can sit and just observe.

Villa La Massa – On the western banks of the Arno, this 13th-century Medici villa, surrounded by olive groves and cypress trees, carries a kind of old-world nostalgia. With a tranquil, village-like atmosphere, it seems worlds away from the city center. “The air feels so fresh,” says Thadani.

Giardino del Museo Stibbert – Just beyond Florence’s center, on the hillside of Montughi, is the oft-overlooked Stibbert Museum. Once the villa of Frederick Stibbert, an English art collector born in Florence, it houses an eclectic armory and a wide range of global artifacts, set within carefully kept gardens. A peaceful getaway from the city’s bustle, the grounds are filled with late-romantic architectural “follies,” most notably a Hellenistic temple with a majolica-tiled dome and a neo-Egyptian temple perched overlooking a small lake. The gardens are free and open to the public, even without a museum ticket. 

BODYWORK

The22 – “Craniosacral therapy has long appealed to me,” Thadani says. This belief that subtle, hands-on adjustments can restore total balance and mental equilibrium is the heart of The22. To bring this vision to life, a trained osteopath offers specialized treatments both at The22 and at Studio 13 near Via Gioberti.

Relax – Just off Piazza della Repubblica, this intimate, holistic wellness center is a standout Thadani recommends for excellent restorative massages. The carefully curated menu of treatments ranges from Japanese facial techniques and Brazilian lymphatic drainage to classic deep-tissue work. 

SPAS

Palazzo Portinari Salviati – Beneath the Palazzo Portinari Salviati hotel, the co-ed 500-square-meter spa feels intentionally hidden. Original vaulted ceilings and stone fountains ground the space in its Renaissance heritage, while the atmosphere remains contemporary. Guests can enjoy a heated indoor pool with hydromassage jets, a Finnish sauna, a Turkish bath, a salt room, and a sequence of sensory showers combining hydrotherapy, chromotherapy, and aromatherapy. Visits are limited to two hours, and entry is capped to maintain an intimate experience.

The W – Opened in July 2025, the hotel breathes new life into a long-dormant building that has had many incarnations: first the Grand Hotel Majestic, then a branch of Banca Popolare di Novara, before standing empty for over 15 years. Its wellness area, among the most thoughtfully designed in Florence, features a sauna, a steam bath, and a minimalist relaxation room. With access for both guests and the public, the spa is intended as a destination rather than just a behind-the-scenes amenity. The striking design pairs emerald green marble with soft beige, a combination both luxurious and calming.

Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Collection – A 20-minute drive from the city center, Auberge Resorts’ first Italian property occupies a cluster of 16th-century buildings that once functioned as a chapel, a theater, and a boarding school. Much of its original character remains, including restored hand-painted frescoes set into coffered wooden ceilings. Boutique spa Aelia offers four treatment suites with private steam showers and organic olive- and botanical-based products from Sicily’s Furtuna Skin. Beyond the hotel, the property has begun hosting public-facing wellness programming, including some in partnership with The22, ranging from movement practices, sound baths, and day retreats, all designed to draw a local audience.

FOOD

Floret – The concept is centered on whole foods, and it’s done well. The opposite of the minimalist, “free-of-everything” health cafes, Floret’s menu balances items like cold-pressed juices with elevated comfort dishes such as a BBQ pulled pork burger and a miso salmon bowl. There’s a chic location in the city center atop Luisaviaroma and a newer outpost in San Niccolò inside a calm, plant-filled space. “We partner with Floret, and because of the vicinity to The22, I often grab lunch there,” Thadani says.

Raw – Owner Manfredi Magris, a trained architect, conceived of this Santo Spirito cafe while traveling in Bali, inspired by the idea that healthy food could also feel modern and vibrant. “This was one of my early discoveries in Florence,” Thadani says. “The food is tasty and really creative.” Everything is entirely gluten-free and homemade, from nut butters (also available for purchase) to raw ice creams and popsicles in the summer, plus protein bars, crackers, and cold-pressed juices. 

Cortese – Florence’s first “raw” pasticceria, which is also vegan and gluten-free, makes all kinds of treats—cakes, desserts, and ice cream—using organic and local ingredients. Even the coffee is great, Thadani says, served with homemade almond milk. 

Le Lune – On the Fontallerta hill on the outskirts of Florence, this restaurant occupies a historic greenhouse and draws ingredients from its two farms. The menu is ever-changing, rooted in seasonal produce, so no two visits feel the same. In warm months, you dine outside among the plants. In cooler weather, the warm greenhouse itself becomes the setting. 

APOTHECARIES

Bizzarri – An ancient apothecary dating back to the 19th century, this shop is a small world of spices, herbs, potions, and tinctures. You can find everything from flower essences and arnica cream to unusual infusions and lotions. It’s a picturesque experience.

Extra Virgo – A local brand crafting exquisite handmade fragrances, ceremonial scents, and incense, Extra Virgo celebrates the magic of the plant world. “Founder Alex Postiglione is larger than life, and his creations reflect that,” says Thadani. The incense is made the traditional way, and the brand has expanded internationally, from a store on Via Trebbio (open Thursday and Friday afternoons) to pop-ups at The22, events in Ibiza, and a boutique in Los Angeles.

MOVEMENT

B.East Gallery – Located in Sant’Ambrogio, the 200-square-meter gallery, founded in 2019 by art historian and collector Yan Blusseau, functions as an unexpectedly versatile hub. The contemporary space hosts exhibitions alongside catered events, supported by a fully-equipped commercial kitchen. More recently, it has opened its doors to practitioners, including Kundalini workshops and pilates classes. 

The22 – “I love practicing at The22 because it feels like home to me,” Thadani says. “The diversity of classes means that one day I can do strength training, the next day yin yoga, then vinyasa or chakra tuning. I cater to how my body feels, while still moving it both physically and energetically. It’s also about giving people choice and encouraging them to take control of their own wellness journeys.” Cultivating a sense of community is central to the space. 

Casa Opy – “This is probably the most spiritual and ritualistic studio in Florence,” shares Thadani. Owner and Brazilian native Livia Oliveira combines ancient indigenous Brazilian rituals with yogic tradition. Apart from regular class schedules, the studio often offers unique experiences like kirtan, Indian dance performance, and yin with Thai massage.

Inbodhi Yoga – “This was the first yoga studio I ever discovered in Florence over 10 years ago. The founder, Michèle Anne Barocchi, is an icon in Florence and now is a champion for psychedelic use in therapy. She also hosts amazing transformational breathwork sessions,” Thadani says.