50 paces is very nearly an exaggeration for how far you are from the Duomo, but besides that proximity (which is impressive and a treat each day to see) the location of the apartment is central to all that you might want to see while in Florence. The city is warm and wonderful, and so is Alessandro. From the moment we walked in the door we felt welcomed. There were many nice touches, like milk and fruit in the fridge. Alessandro provided us with numerous recommendations for local restaurants, many of which we followed and we were impressed at each. The apartment is just perfect for a stay in Florence.