I loved having my own tiny apartment in Florence. Not fancy, but attractive, with a two-burner gas stove, waist-high refrigerator, and very comfortable bed! Lots of sleeping space - not much space for much else - and great for anyone who craves privacy at the end of a tiring day. The tile floor can be cold, so bring slippers!

The neighborhood is a real neighborhood, cozy and not touristy, yet close to much that I wanted to see and do. At night, streets are well lighted and seem very safe. There are many small shops nearby, separate bakeries, butchers, and produce markets, very European - also pharmacies, a hardware store, a laundromat.

Modestino was very pleasant and friendly. I'd have loved to go and hear him play, but all his performances were out of town that week. That may often happen, so it's a good idea to get all your questions answered when you arrive. (The shower and the electric heater are not quite self-explanatory, for instance. Also, it took me a little time to get the hang of flushing the toilet, which really works fine.) He is as hands-on a host as his schedule permits, and easy to reach by cell phone.

The stairs are quite steep, but it's only one flight. They're lovely old stone steps, so it's easy to imagine Galileo trekking up and down them.

If you're fairly independent and enjoy local color, this is a good, comfortable choice.