I stayed at Christina's flat for a little over a month. I was there for the Christmas holiday season and it was chilly. The last time I was in Florence it was in the middle of hot summer. However the apartment was always warm and cozy, and just the right amount of distance away from the center of town. I only took a taxi to and from the airport when I arrived and left. Other than that I walked everywhere. Public transportation is around the corner and easy to access. The grocery store is just 3 blocks away and stays open late. You can get to the Duomo and the center walking in 15 minutes. I walked to Boboli Gardens from the flat in 45 minutes and to the Arno river and Ponte Vecchio in 25 minutes. The neighborhood is safe, the building is secure. I was alone at night walking home everyday and never felt unsafe. The courtyard was beautiful and I wish it had been warmer to truly enjoy. Christina was so quick to respond to any questions and seemed always available if needed. the washer machine broke at one point, and Christina and her husband quickly came and replaced it with a new one. The kitchen is stocked with all the basics you need to cook and prepare food. Extra linens and towels and the sofa bed was very comfortable too. The flat was clean and very well taken care of. I truly felt at home at Christina's place. I was living alone in Florence for over a month, working on research for grad school, and I couldn't have asked for a better host and flat. This was my second time in Florence and unlike my first time, I was slightly out of the bounds of the chaotic center, but close enough to get to by walking. I preferred being out of the center chaos and in a more residential neighborhood. Again, I walked to the center in 15 minutes from the flat. I took the train to Venice, which is just 2 hours away. The train station is very close, also walkable but I took the tram. I definitely recommend the flat to anyone visiting Florence.