A Gem! This apartment is every bit as lovely as its photographs portray! Totally remodeled by an architect, it is spacious, sunny, comfortable and immaculate. It retains the original wooden floor in the main bedroom, but elsewhere the floors are beautifully laid marble and, as one might hope in Florence, one bedroom even has a painted ceiling. The ceilings must be 14 feet high and the marble bathrooms are lovely. We especially enjoyed the sunroom and the modern, well equipped kitchen.

We are a couple in our 70's and, while we wanted to enjoy living in Florence for a week, we were initially concerned that 9 Ghibellina might be a bit too far from all we wanted to see. But its location was perfect. We could walk to the Uffizi or Ponte Vecchio in 20 minutes and to the Duomoa or Accademia in 25. And following a late night concert or dinner, we could even felt comfortable walking home late at night because the streets are brilliantly lighted.

Christina was a wonderful hostess who lives only 10 minutes away, met our taxi when we arrived, left us lots of useful phone numbers and information, and encouraged us to call if we needed anything. And, sure enough, we needed her help when our departure morning turned rainy and taxis were scarce. We couldn't find one, but Christina had one at our door in 5 minutes.