We really loved our stay in Florence. Alessandra's apartment is really close to the centre of the city and is very easy to walk to from the train station in about 10-15 minutes. It is in the buzzy and busy Mercato Centrale area - which not be everybody's choice, but we enjoyed it. It was quiet at night and the market stalls did not start setting up until about 8am. Florence is a beautiful city and definitely worth a visit.