Chiara's home is lovely and the neighbourhood is what you would imagine Florence be away from the bustle of the tourist areas.
The apartment is at the top of the building, and so you do have stone stairs climb, but after just a couple of days you find that they really aren't too difficult, unless you have a physical impairment. And the great thing about the apartment being on the top floor is that it was filled with light and had great views from the bedroom window.
The apartment itself was well equipped for a holiday, and we soon found ourselves feeling quite at home. I loved the little touches that Chiara does to make you feel welcome. And the care and attention she gave us before we arrived, ensuring that we had everything that we needed to make our stay a success.
You will find the neighbourhood is lively and vibrant. There are plenty of little streets to explore, and lots of great places to eat. There is a small coffee shop nearby where we went most mornings for breakfast that was really nice, and the gentleman serving was so patient as we tried out our limited Italian. And if you find yourselves walking around, poke your nose into some of the local churches, the frescos are as good as any you'll see on the other side of the water. We will definitely return one day as Florence has wriggled her way into our hearts.