I knew we had picked the perfect Florentine place as we walked through the gates of Horti Annalenae and were greeted warmly by Anna and Isabella, who immediately made us feel at home. The three-story fourteenth century townhouse is a step into Florentine history, tucked behind walls across from the Boboli Gardens and a 10-minute walk to the Ponte Vecchio. Horti Annalenae is magical place with a courtyard surrounded by beautiful flowers, plants, and trees.
Our hosts provided us many recommendations and a map of the neighborhood marked with grocery stores and restaurants, especially Jesse’s bar for cappuccino in the morning. Anna also provided directions to the outdoor market and how to use the local bus, and gave us a second set of keys so our daughter could come in and out on her own schedule. I felt we were all very secure and safe here.
Horti was a quiet and peaceful home hidden in the midst of the noise and bustle of Florence. The ad and photos are authentic, just like what we experience and desired. The ground floor living area has a massive fireplace and is perfect for chatting and reading. The second floor has two very large bedrooms one with twin beds, a kitchen, bathroom, and dinette with a couch. Exterior shutters, curtains and Interior wood shutters blocked any noise and most light, making oversleeping very easy. The third floor has a very large bedroom. The elevator was a great help for me as I walk more slowly than the others. The air conditioning is excellent and well needed with the July heat and has A/C controls in each room of the apartment. The apartment is very clean and the washing machine, detergent, clothespins, and clothesline for our clothes were terrific helps.
The best part is their gentle and warm hospitality; Anna and Isabella are quite delightful hosts. They provided us all the privacy we needed; yet, they were available for our many questions and converse very well in English, as opposed to us stumbling in Italian. They provided wonderful amenities upon our arrival: fresh fruit on the table, water, juice, milk, and cookies in the refrigerator and ice in the freezer. There were extra towels and pillows for us in the closet, and shampoo, conditioner, and soap in the bathroom. Most importantly, we felt welcomed and at ease, like we were visiting family, and we look forward to returning soon.