The place itself has to be considered as the perfect home for a few days in the historic but pulsating city of Florence. Entering through an old courtyard of a cloister which has been transformed into housing in the early 20th century, the actual door of the apartment lies beneath a grotesquely affrescated vault of the original building. One sleeps under a typical vaulted ceiling that develops up from the four walls that define the room. It is almost like an artificial sky that encourages vivid dreams of renaissance art.
But the real advantage of this house was its host, Giada. On arrival (we arrived late) she showed us quickly around and then gave us an hour-long explanation of her meticulously marked-up map and how Florence functions as a tourist city these days. That involved talking about the “no-go” areas that overflow of tourists but at the same time are the very reason for people to come. Instead, she suggested, we should visit the secondary places and younger quarters that offer just as much, especially food- and drink-wise. We did both and were blown away by the culture you can encounter in this city, old and new.
Just ask Giada if she has the time, she knows her city!
Warmly recommended!