Excellent host, convenient location without the stress of a frenetic hub. I would stay here again in a heartbeat.
When I firstgot to this property, it was better than I could have imagined from the listing. A sanctuary from the day's bustling tour. A real home, not just a rental. Having access to sunshine, a garden and fresh air is such a rarity when travelling, so this property is a real gem. My mother and I stayed at Lorenzo's for 9 days. The location is across the Arno, but it's worth it and easy to navigate. We originally booked for 5 nights, but within a few hours, I was already asking to extend for another 5 nights! We loved it so much. We found Lorenzo and his wife, Cristina to be kind, generous, thoughtful and knowledgeable hosts. Cristina greeted us when we arrived and Lorenzo said goodbye when we left. They are owner-operators of this property and this house has been in the family for 2 generations. So this isn't run by a team of managers, but by people who have history with this place and have a real affection for the place. The garden has mint and sage herbs, roses, and a small grove of 7 bay laurel trees which were planted by the older generations. It's a lovely part of the family history to be able to enjoy this garden, 100 years later. The gardens are perfect for a morning tea or an afternoon lunch and evening aperativo. I started my mornings under the grove of 7 trees and I will always treasure this as a core memory of Florence. There are mosquitos in Florence during the warmer months (like most places) and the house is equiped with insect repellent and spray so we were never bitten. We really enjoyed the house - library, fully-stocked kitchen, CDs, cosy atmosphere, great water pressure in the shower, ample blankets if we felt cold. It really had all the comforts of home. And we loved that Lorenzo and Cristina shared their books with guests. They love Florence and Italy and want everyone to experience and understand as much about it as they do. Florence is a very walkable city. Things are very close to each other. Public transport was really easy from the house - #12 bus out the front of the street to take us across the Arno into Florence, the #13 bus across the road to take us up to the Piazzale Michelangelo (but the best view is from the Church Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte). This was actually an easy walk, and my mum did this nearly every morning to catch the sunrise. The #13 also takes you further up into Porta Romana for the Boboli Gardens. From Lorenzo's there's also the C4 bus from the hospital close by and we were able to get to all the best spots by bus... the Uffizi, Acadamie, Duomo, Pitti Palace, Santa Maria Novella Perfumery, and Michelangelo's burial etc... All very easily on public transport. So the location was great for us as we had 8 days and enjoyed having a home base out of the tourist craziness. The house was also great for my mum, as there weren't loads of stairs to deal with. Having stayed in numerous apartments during our trip in Italy, this house was so accessible with luggage and after a long day walking - it was so great! The local area is full of food. We especially enjoyed local food and wine at Degusto Fiaschetteria (owned by another Lorenzo, who loves food, travel and is an ex-travel guide). We also loved the Santo Spirito area which had the most charming square - with markets on Sat and Sun (vintage clothes, books and jeans). The cafe Pitta M'Ingoli at the Piazza Santo Spirito is also great value. Siting outside in the Piazza, watching families and friends chat, buying from the (Website hidden by Airbnb) was a rare experience we wouldn't have if we stayed right in the centre of the city. Being able to wash and dry our laundry, buy local produce and cook at the Airbnb was also great for our budget, and the kitchen is top-notch! Gas burners, full oven, full-size fridge. And they had olive oil, butter, cereal, snacks, instant and ground coffee, fruit tea, Earl Grey tea, kettle...EVERYTHING. And Lorenzo's house rules and neighbourhood and city guide that he put together are so thorough and helpful. A lot of thought, care and consideration has gone into how these hosts care for their guests. Full amenities, calming garden, cosy home, and most importantly, a great host who really cares about guests. Not just a number, but a host with a personal touch from such lovely people! Highly recommend this property. I can't wait to book Lorenzo's place again. The most relaxing, clean, and comforting Airbnb. The garden will always make me smile. Thank you so much, Cristina and Lorenzo. You're very special people and your family has created a very special place. Thank you for sharing it with us. Hope to see you again soon.