First impressions: Michele met me at the apartment and spent a lot of time going over a map of Florence and giving me a bunch of insider tips. He even had fresh flowers and a beautiful bottle of wine waiting for me!

The apartment was GORGEOUS...and so enormous! Thoughtful details everywhere, from his brother Orlando's beautiful art to original sculptures, reclaimed furniture and rainfall shower heads. The renovations are pristine, and a great mix of modern and ancient. They've obviously put a lot of care into the apartment.

Location: It's in the perfect location, central to everything, including the Central Market, which is a foodies' dream. Each evening I put up my feet and enjoyed beautiful wine and the best cheeses, meats and strawberries in the world. Being able to cook for myself was divine in the well-equipped eat-in kitchen! I invited a couple of friends for dinner, and all of the new dishes and cookware made me feel like a complete pro.

Michele checked in with me every couple of days to ask if I was enjoying my time. He made me feel like a member of the family.