If we could give more than five stars to Francesca's apartment and her hospitality, we would!! The apartment is exactly as pictured online - comfortable, cozy, quiet, and relaxing after a long day touring. The location is fabulous; it's 1.5 blocks south of the Arno River at the Ponte La Carraia. Here are the basics:
- The apartment is fully stocked with everything you'll need, i.e., plenty of linens, towels, blankets, pillows, paper goods, etc.
- The kitchen is fully stocked too, i.e., pots, pans and utensils for cooking, tableware, glassware, napkins, an ample fridge and a small dishwasher. There is no clothes washer, but the sink and a little Woolite does the trick.
- We used the heater (in early November) and it worked flawlessly and quickly heated the apartment.
- Everything in the apartment is new and in excellent condition, i.e., appliances, fixtures, furniture. It is also nicely decorated with nice colors and a number of electric candles to take the place of a fire in the fireplace (very cozy with bread, cheese, and wine in the evening). There are also playing cards in the small drawer of the telephone/key table.
- Of note: the sizable bathroom contains a compact, neo-angle shower in which a very large guest might have difficulty maneuvering. There is good water pressure and ample hot water on the 4th floor on the building.
- There are two beds, an American full-sized bed the bedroom and an American queen-size pullout couch in the living room. Both are comfortable.
- It’s a hefty climb to the 4th floor of this building to the apartment and there is a small elevator to assist after a long day of touring. Hiking everywhere, even up the steps to the apartment, is a great way to burn off all the excess calories you’ll gain by eating in Florence!
- The street noise inside the apartment can be loud when the windows are open, but the windows and shutters are of excellent quality and eliminate all noise except the loudest sirens when closed.
- Regarding location, within a 5-minute walk of the apartment you’ll find a wine shop, fruit/veggie shop, bread shop, a well-stocked small grocery store (complete with octopus in the deli case!), pastry/coffee shop, plus dozens of trattorias and restaurants. - Be sure to visit the Gelateria La Carraia at the south end of the neighborhood bridge. Fabulous!
- Honestly, 90% of everything you’ll want to see and do in Florence in within a 20 – 25 minute walk of the apartment. It is in the PERFECT location. Bring your walking shoes!
- Francesca and her mother met us at the apartment upon our arrival and provided a tour and details about the apartment and the neighborhood. She provided several business cards of nearby shops and restaurants of particular interest to us and all proved to be good recommendations. Francesca also arranged a cab for us back to the airport on our day of departure. Francesca is an excellent host!