Maria's place is extremely clean and spacious and comfortable. The shower is lovely and warm with great water pressure. It is about 20 minutes to walk to the more central parts of the city but you can take a bus (buy a ticket from the nearest Tabachi shop). Maria and I conversed in French. Her level is pretty good if you don't speak Italian. She does not speak English. However a few things to note for future guests:
1. it says that breakfast is included however I was not offered any breakfast for the two mornings I was there and Maria did not point these out to me the night before (she was in bed the mornings I was there). The only thing she pointed out to me was the coffee machine and I do not drink coffee.
2. The whole apartment smells of stale smoke as Maria smokes in her home and the smell lingers in the bedroom. I spent most of my time outside as it made me feel quite ill.