From the moment we made a reservation (last year!!!) for our recent stay on the Via Maggio, our host, Alessandra, was always available to answer our questions. Unfortunately she was out of town when we arrived, but she sent Monica to meet us immediately with the keys, help us with our bags, and show us the particulars of the apartment. Fred and I have been to Florence several times but this was our first stay on the other side of the Arno. The apartment is in a perfect central location, just a short walk to the bustle of the Ponte Vecchio and beyond. But we really enjoyed exploring the neighborhoods around the Piazza Santo Spirito. We followed Alessandra's printed suggestions for morning coffee, afternoon gelato, and excellent dinners. The grilled sardines at Tamero' were delicious! We were just around the corner from the museums at the Pitti palace so we spent a morning at the Museo deli Argenti and enjoyed an improvised picnic in the Boboli Gardens. What an overlooked gem! Our days were nonstop, so it was always a relief to come back to the quiet and comfort of the Via Maggio. The apartment had everything we needed - a small but well equipped kitchen for preparing snacks and light meals, a spacious great room with a roomy couch for relaxing, a modern bath, and a very comfortable bed. Despite being on one of the main streets that leads to Florence's busy center, the street is very quiet at night.