Alessandra was very hospitable and extremely well organized with information in English and Italian organized on pages for everything we could ask for:how appliances worked, how the air conditioner worked, great restaurants and cafes nearby, where tourist sites and groceries were, with free maps of Florence and and its sites for our use. The apartment was quite lovely, very well equipped with all desireable modern equipment, A/C, TV, CD player, microwave, books galore, and while in an old building, had been renovated with taste, style and comfort in mind, all while respecting the historic nature of the building. Although the kitchen and bath were small, they were modern, efficient and had all amenities. The shower was great, with lots of hot water. The bedroom was large enough with a king sized bed. It is on the third floor with no elevator, so one should be able bodied and pack light. The Oltrarno area is happening, with lots of cafes, restaurants and wine shops. The only complaint is it is a busy, noisy area, but that is the price for being centrally located in a major urban area. It is 5 minutes from the Ponte Vecchio and another 5 from the Uffizi Gallery. The Pitti Palace is 5 minutes away. The owners' (both architects) renovation put in new windows and shutters, so the noise could be cut off at any time. With air conditioning, one didn't need to leave the windows open at night to be cool. This is a restricted parking area, so if you come by car, you are very limited in where you can park and where you can drive. Tourists are prohibited from driving in the area which is restricted to residents. I highly recommend this apartment for its location, amenities, charm, convenience and owner's willingness to make your visit memorable.