Francesca was an extremely gracious host! Even though we arrived at Florence early, she had arranged for us to drop off luggage early. When we met her at the apartment to check-in at 3, the apartment was in perfect condition. Clean towels were waiting for us, along with some soaps and shampoos in the bathroom - which were very helpful by the end of our trip! She was also kind enough to give us a bottle of wine and some cookies upon arrival. She spent at least 30 minutes with us, explaining the apartment, its appliances, how to work its windows, etc. She even had a book made up with additional instructions for the dishwasher, oven, and other appliances in case you forgot. She was very helpful in recommending places to eat, where to find the best gelato (Perche No!), and where to buy groceries.

Beyond how accommodating Francesca was, my fiance and I loved the apartment. Because it is on the top floor, there is a sky light, allowing ample light into the apartment. Though it has a "loft" feel, there are enough barriers to clearly and distinctly define room spaces. The apartment was very clean, and was stocked with ample dishes and cookware. Francesca shared with us the interesting history of the apartment building and the Cerchi family - you should ask her about it! And of course, the location of the apartment was perfect for sightseeing. We only had four days in Florence, and were much better equipped to see everything we could as we were situated in the center of the city, with a view of the Palazzo Vecchio out the window.

We couldn't have asked for a better, more accommodating host, and hope that we can find our way back to Francesca's apartment in the future!