Silvia's apartment is a great base from which to explore Florence. It's a real home with all the amenities you'd hope for -- fully supplied kitchen, comfortable living room with places to sit and read, spacious bedroom (and very comfortable bed), big shower in the bathroom. It's a third-floor walkup and it took us a couple of days to get used to the stairs, but once we did we loved coming back from the day's adventures because the place is perfectly quiet even in the middle of the city. The views out all the windows are not onto the square to the north but to the beautiful gardens and foothills (including Bellosguardo) to the south. Silvia is a conscientious and attentive host who responded quickly to all our questions, and she provided us with a list of excellent suggestions for restaurants around the city. A wonderful experience in every way.