I just returned to the US after a fabulous European vacation that concluded with a couple days in Maria's Fab apartment in the charming Trastevere neighborhood of Rome. I was initially concerned about renting a private apartment halfway around the world, but Maria's professional temperament and timely email responses gave me the confidence to try it. Everything went as planned and Maria was a fantastic host. We were met exactly as scheduled and the apartment was clean and precisely as advertised/pictured. The neighborhood is charming and the apartment is walking distance from many of the unforgettable sights of Rome. One evening, as we were a block away from reaching the apartment, we found ourselves suddenly surrounded by hundreds of people participating in a religious neighborhood ceremony in front of the nearby church (perhaps 100 yards or so from the apartment entrance). It was a unique and unforgettable experience. Maria was incredibly responsive to our questions/needs both before and during our stay, and I would not hesitate to recommend this place to anyone.
The one criticism I have was of the air conditioning. Each of the rooms had a portable air conditioning unit. Our visit was in late July - which may have been the hottest time of the year. While the units provided some relief, they were inadequate. The unit in the bedroom made loud noises during the middle of the night, after being on for many consecutive hours.
All in all it is a lovely apartment hosted by a true professional and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone. Thanks again Maria!