We'd arrived from a relatively quiet southern Tuscany to the madness and heat of Florence in August, so it was lovely to be welcomed by Michele's smiling face, and the peace and quiet of his lovely cool loft space. Hidden away through heavy wooden doors, right off the Via Maggio and metres from the Ponte Santa Trinita, the flat is roomy, clean and had everything we needed to feel at home. The wifi worked well, there was plenty of hot water and there was the luxury of a washing machine in the tiny courtyard. So homely was it that two out of the three nights, after ambling around the streets, lying in the Giardino di Bobboli and drinking Aperol in Piazza di Santo Spirito, we ate in. The third night we had a perfect bistecca alla fiorentina just around the corner at Osteria Cinghiale Bianco after a recommendation from friends, and sat on the little balcony table above everyone else's heads.

Michele was on hand and easy to contact if we needed him; as we left, he said he recognised how "delicate" people can feel when travelling. It's certainly true at times, but this was our first Air B&B experience and we couldn't have felt more relaxed or better looked after. Grazie Mille!