Words aren't adequate to describe my praise and applause to Marco and his home. I loved staying here. Marco’s serene garden home in the Florentine hills felt like a magical place for our week-long stay. Marco and Livia made our stay so easy and comfortable. We were made to feel welcome and at home before we even arrived. Marco provided loads of information about every aspect of our stay, even taking the time to do so while he was away on holiday. Communication was easy; responses were immediate, complete and super helpful. Livia greeted us at the gate just as we exited the taxi. She gave us a tour of the entire house, with quick lessons on how to use appliances and where everything is kept; this is really handy when otherwise you might have to fiddle about in a new place learning which switch does what and how the hob works. Marco left us a very handy guide in 3 languages that explained just about everything you could think of including garden watering, mosquito nets, transportation, restaurants, street food, nearby grocers, butchers, fish shops, delis, bars, gelaterias, nearby resorts, walking routes, even how trash/recycling and pickup work which is important to know when you’re visiting as it’s a unique process in Italy. Marco was very accommodating and receptive, far and away exceeding our expectations. Check-out was very flexible and Livia drove us with our luggage to the train station which was far more convenient than any taxi. We stayed through the festival of Ferragosta and got some handy tips from Marco so we knew what to expect like we were locals – another wonderful bonus. The walk from the house to Florence and back is pretty easy and a nice way to stroll through the Oltrarno, which is a captivating part of the city. Marco suggested several walking routes near his house along the hills which offer simply breathtaking views from high above Florence, Prato, Pistoia and the Apennine mountains in the distance; it’s picture postcard stuff. Just amazing! The house itself was setup brilliantly and very comfortable for the three of us. Everything was just a described and shown in the photos. We had everything we needed in the kitchen from cooking full meals to simple, quick fix snacks. The patio was a delightful place to start the day facing the sunrise with a café listening to the breeze and birds, and to cap off an evening with a glass of wine. The house radiates with pride of ownership, design brilliance and craftsmanship everywhere. I got the feeling if Marco was born 500 hundred years ago, we’d be viewing his handiwork today alongside Michelangelo and Ghiberti. As for Livia, I can’t say enough good things about Livia. If Italy ever had a daughter that represented its grace, charm, beauty, cordiality and authenticity, her name would be Livia. I would definitely return and recommend this place to my family. Thank you Marco for a fantastic stay in your beautiful home. Arrivederci.