Of the 5 places I stayed in Italy this was the greatest.

Comfortable and tastefully furnished, it's a place that feels like it's someone's home instead of just rented out. Little things (like a wonderful photo in the bathroom, and matching silverware) add up. Then there are the big things: like a view of the Duomo through the bedroom window.... And the location! It's perfect, especially if you're traveling by train: quick walk from the station, but none of the seediness that you tend to find around stations. Less than a half km from the Duomo, which tells you how central it is. We walked everywhere in Firenze, usually in 15 mins.

Overlooking Piazza Santa Maria Novella, it was fun to hang in the window and watch the goings on in the square. People do congregate late into the night, but the well-sealed windows and air conditioning shut out the noise when it was time to sleep. Speaking of AC, it was the best in Italy: separate units in each bedroom and in the kitchen, which worked perfectly.

We never met Gaia, as she might have been out of town. But her representative Rebecca, was the friendliest and best-informed of all the hosts I met. She gave us great recommendations for restaurants and things to do, and answered follow-up questions by text promptly. Also, Gaia left a laminated sheet in the apt with info on restaurants and services.

All in all a terrific stay!