I cannot imagine a kinder, more helpful host than Elisabetta. She provided helpful information about many places I might want to see based on interests I'd shared about medieval history and art. She and her son both spoke Italian with me, at my request as a beginning Italian student, and they also speak English. I was able to keep food and drink in the kitchen and cook basic meals, which helped to save money. We shared a couple of meals together (I got to try farro, not a common grain in the US, but an ancient one here), and got to chat about common interests. The apartment is clean and attractive, and the room spacious and nicely furnished, with a desk ideal for work.

I felt, in short, treated like family, and had a unique opportunity to learn a little about life here as lived by native Florentines. For me, as a solo traveler working on a writing project, Elisabetta made my stay in Florence far more enjoyable and productive, and far less stressful and lonely than travel can typically be. I am so glad I got to spend a long enough visit for us to get to know each other!