Vacation Rentals by Owner

Home away from home

Guest: Party of 6 (Potomac, MD, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/05/12 Review Submitted: 04/24/12

Lavanda is an ideal apartment for exploring Bologna’s city center and shopping arcades, and tasting its wonderful cuisine. Anna Rita and Piero are the best hosts, and it is not an exaggeration that they have thought of everything. Before the stay, they were pleasant to deal with, always timely in their responses, and asked us how we wanted the bedrooms configurated. When we arrived, Piero met us at the train station in his spacious Volvo SUV – what a relief for the 6 of us and all our luggage to be taken directly to the apartment in the rain no less. Anna Rita was waiting at Lavanda and welcomed us with her freshly baked delicious ricotta torte and a bottle of wine / still water. Both of them were so patient in explaining where everything was and providing us a helpful customized map for our reference. One of their recommendations, Osteria La Mura (on Via Falcone less than 5 mins walk), serves out of this world seafood and pasta dishes and turned out nicely to be the best meal during our trip. Lavanda is also close walking distance to all the major sites in and around Piazza Maggiore (highly recommend the nearby Basilica di San Domenico which contains Michelangelo’s early works). When taking a break from sightseeing, we spent a lot of time relaxing in the comfortable living room and watching the kids play in the enclosed sunny courtyard accessible from 3 rooms. There are alot of nice personal touches in the apartment such as Anna Rita's art work, toys, and books. We also found that Lavanda was so well-stocked with plates, utensils, cups, and all the essential daily necessities that you felt at home. There is also a well-equipped convenience store (run by hardworking Hassan) a couple of doors down and a Coop supermarket if you need anything else. This is truly a home away from home!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

A Real Find!

Guest: Steve (Cambridge MA)
Date of Stay: 03/24/12 Review Submitted: 04/20/12

We would only be repeating all the other accolades to say how much we enjoyed our stay at Lavanda. Wonderful, welcoming hosts! And yes the ricotta torte that is out of this world!! The location is perfect for exploring Bologna (don't miss the nearby Basilica Santo Stefano);it's impossible to have a bad meal in Bologna and we ate locally every night. The neighborhood is friendly funky, very safe, and convenient. We would recommend this flat to anyone!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

A Real Find!

Guest: Steve (Cambridge MA)
Date of Stay: 03/24/12 Review Submitted: 04/20/12

We would only be repeating all the other accolades to say how much we enjoyed our stay at Lavanda. Wonderful, welcoming hosts! And yes the ricotta torte that is out of this world!! The location is perfect for exploring Bologna (don't miss the nearby Basilica Santo Stefano);it's impossible to have a bad meal in Bologna and we ate locally every night. The neighborhood is friendly funky, very safe, and convenient. We would recommend this flat to anyone!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Wonderful stay

Guest: Alessandra (Charlottesville, VA)
Date of Stay: 03/22/12 Review Submitted: 04/03/12

We loved the neighborhood and the owners. Three doors to private patio. Vey easy access to sights & restaurants. Couldn't be better located. Owners also have another flat, Orion, close to central train station, which we stayed at. Also roomy, also with wonderful personal touches. Excellent neighborhood restaurant. Longer distance from the center, but good to walk off the food.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

excellent...we will be back

Guest: Cathy and Eric (Victoria, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/10/12 Review Submitted: 05/20/12

My husband and I, plus our two children spent a lovely week in Bologna I'm March as a part of our three week stay in Italy. Piero picked us up at the train station and drove us to the apartment, giving us a mini tour of Bologna. The VBRO listing described the apartment well, but it is even better. This bright, beautiful apartment is well stocked with everything a traveller could need...if I wanted to bake a cake, I could have :) But, I didn't have to, Anna Rita made a divine ricotta cake for our arrival. My husband and I enjoyed "due cappuccini" every morning at the caffe at the end of the street. As we watched people head off to work, how civilized to be greeted with "buon giorno Signora, Signore" and have a quick coffee and pastry. The restaurant recommendations were excellent....we ate well. This city is easy to navagate especially with Piero's map. My only regret is that we didn't stay longer ... This apartment is, by far, the best we stayed in Italy. Grazie mille.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect Accomodations

Guest: Cathy (Richmond, VA USA)
Date of Stay: 09/24/11 Review Submitted: 12/02/11

Anna-Rita provided our first lodging in our two week Culinary Tour of Italy. What a wonderful way to start. When I asked for directions to the apartment, she told me she would pick us up at the airport. This ride made the perfect beginning for our Italian adventure . It reduced the hassle after flying overnight from the US. The apartment was amazing as it was so well stocked with every necessity, plus Anna-Rita's delicious ricotta cake. She spoiled us. Being foodies, we were especially impressed with how well the kitchen was stocked with the basics in food and equipment, plus there is a little market several doors down from the apartment. The walk to the main square is about 5 minutes with lots of great shopping and great place to get gelato. We rented apartments in Florence and Rome and Lavanda was the best stocked and equipped of all the rentals. Plus, Anna-Rita was a wonderful person to deal with arrangements and helpful tips. Thank you so much.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

wonderful

Guest: napalinda (Napa, Calif. USA)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 07/21/11

I am sitting in my hime in Napa valley, we got home from Italy abut an hour ago, jet lag is here and I'm wide awake at 12:00 AM Napa time. I wanted to write about Lavanda and our experience. First of all we stayed for a week in Rome at an apartment, 5 days in Lucca in an apartment. Both of thes flats were in great locations and really beautiful. That being said Lavanda is a STAR. We were picked up by Anna Rita and Piero at the train station. They had obviously already been to the aprtment prior to picking us up, because when we arrived at the aprtment, it was cool becaus the AC was already on, the table was set for us to enjoy the wonderful (famous) ricotta cake, with a cloth tablecloth and napkins, a candle, placemats etc. The contrast between this experience and Rome and Lucca was stunning. Lavanda is wonderfully stocked with everything that you might need and the confort or a well designed apartment. We were only two but I believe tha the flat would accommodate maybe 6 to 8 depending on the mix of adults and children, not sure what they recommend. The bathroom is very well designed with enough cabinets and surfaces to be comfortable and efficient. There is always hot water and enough of it. If you choose to cook the kitchen is very well equipped, including olive oil, balsamic and spices. There is no detail or need.that isn't met. Bologna is a wonderful city and a great base for exploring. We spent most of our time in Bologna, with the exception of a day trip to Parma by train. . We had already spent time in Tuscany, Florence, Venice etc so we didn;t need to venture out to these areas but it would be easy from here. It is a beautiful small, walkable city, Bologna isn't a tourist destination (had trouble finding post cards and t-shirts).which makes it even more appealing. The shopping was amazing and the sales were as well. The restaurants are great and the neighborhood restaurants are probably the best and very reasonable. Trattoria Teddi, right out of the apartment, 1st right, next right. We ate there 3 times it was fabulous. Trattoria Della Santa, left out of the apartment, first right, 2nd left (Via Urbana) both of these great trattorias were full of locals. I could go on and on but I think that my review aliong with others should convince you that this is the place. Oh yes the location- perfect. Our hosts were wonderful and took great care of us. Thanks Anna Rita and Piero, Ciao

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

a lovely apartment

Guest: RDB (USA)
Date of Stay: 06/22/11 Review Submitted: 07/15/11

We spent a week in Bologna this summer at the Lavanda apartment and felt instantly at home. Anna Rita and Piero picked us up at the train station and brought us to the coziest apartment we’d stayed in to date. Piero took great care in giving us a tour of the place and making suggestions for things to do in town. I was surprised at how spacious the apartment was—it was easily enough room for 4 or 5 people with two bedrooms, a large den/dining area, kitchen, and outside patio. The inside was warm and we felt instantly at home. Anna Rita’s art work and her delicious ricotta cake gave the apartment sweet personal touches that I haven’t found elsewhere. Located just a few minutes’ walk from Piazza Maggiore, the Lavanda apartment makes it easy to go in and out during the day without feeling like it’s a trek. We did a lot in town, but were just as happy staying right in the neighborhood were there were welcoming restaurants, bars, and cafés. Anna Rita and Piero are gracious hosts and the apartment is lovely. We loved staying here and would do so again.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

At home in Bologna

Guest: NovaScotiaMartin (Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 07/07/11

We stayed one week at the Lavanda. We were two couples, and we found room to spare. It was only a ten-minute walk to the Piazza Maggiore along either of the streets adjacent to Via delle Torvaglie, either the chic Via d'Azeglia to our left in the portico as we left the building, or the Via Garibaldi to the right. Both had plenty to make our walks down to the central square take longer at times. Still, it was the lure of Bologna's gigantesque major sights that deserves the honour of taking anyone to Bologna in the first place. We spent four days of the week exclusively in Bologna, with our car securely parked in the lot a five-minute walk from the apartment. Parking cost around 25 Euros per day, but it was well-supervised and more convenient than one just a bus ride away. On three days we made side-trips to the Adriatic, Ravenna, Ferrara, Venice, and Florence. We were tempted to return again to both Venice and Florence (only two hours away), but we also wanted to enjoy the comfort of our Lavanda "home". It is a beautiful gite, thoroughly pleasant, and so clean, secure, and convenient that we were quite at home there. Another thing special about the Lavanda is the friendliness of those at the pizza shops, convenience store, and small restaurant on Via delle Tovaglie, who were often more informative than those at any tourist bureau. Thanks to Lavanda, by the end of our week, we felt that we'd had a glimpse of the "real" Bologna, and that the dazzling and historical Bologna we had come for was more worthy of a longer visit than we had anticipated. What is described in this listing's website and in its photos is accurate. Lavanda is well-maintained by Anna Rita and Piero, who showed themselves ready to go out of their way to make sure our stay in Bologna was everything we hoped it would be. Thanks to them, it was, and, yes, we do gladly recommend it to others, especially to our friends and family.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Truly nice

Guest: Nelly (Moscow Russia)
Date of Stay: 02/23/11 Review Submitted: 03/04/11

Dear Piero and Anna Rita! Thank you very much for organizing our stay in Bologna. Tha apaprtment is truly nice, well-equipped (has ALL a tourist can need, even small details as adaptors, batteries, booklets, etc), clean and neat. The kind-hearted hosts picked us up in the airport and took to the apartment. Anna Rita cooked a DELICIOUS ricotta cake for us. Piero was ready to answer every question and explained ALL! Tha apartment is wonderfully located. 5 minutes and you are in the very heart of Bologna "centro storico" - Piazza Maggiore. There is a supermarket in a 2 minutes' walk. There is a vegetable market situated next to Piazza Maggiore. Fresh meet and fish are also available there. We recoomend this apartment to new visitors. Sincerely yours, Nelly, Ivan and our small baby Chris.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great apartment in Bologna

Guest: Larry (Lancaster, Pennsylvania USA)
Date of Stay: 11/10/10 Review Submitted: 11/22/10

Our stay at Lavanda in Bologna was perfect in every way. Pier and Anna Rita were most helpful in arranging our stay and getting us situated. The apartment is comfortable, well equipped, nicely decorated with Anna Rita's paintings and well located. The neighborhood is quiet for sleeping but located almost perfectly. It is an easy walk to just about anything in Bologna, plus there are buses, stores and restaurants in the neighborhood. This was so much more pleasant than a hotel. I would definitely stay there again and recommend it highly.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

a real gem!

Guest: gabriela (yellowknife, NT, Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/09/10 Review Submitted: 10/16/10

My husband, sister and I spent three nights at the apartment and it was truly the best place we have ever found through VRBO; the location is amazing; the apartment has absolutely everything you would want, including every attention to detail: the bathroom even had basic medication, etc. The owners are lovely and welcomed us to a homemade ricotta cake that was out of this world; instructions for everything in the place were neatly gathered and well explained and all in all this was an amazing place; we all would come back to it in a heartbeat; Thanks to such wonderful hosts, Gabriela, Andrew and Monika

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Exceptional 8-week stay at Lavanda - family LOVED IT

Guest: laura (columbus ohio)
Date of Stay: 03/14/10 Review Submitted: 06/21/10

My family (two adults, 7-year-old, 3-year-old) just spent eight weeks in Lavanda. Our stay in Bologna was spectacular BECAUSE of the accomodations experrience. To start, the owners (Pier and Anna Rita) are the two most kind, thoughtful, caring people on the planet. They took great care of us from beginning to end of our stay. They greeted us with homemake cakes and toys for the kids (including Easter gifts, since we arrived right before Easter). When we left, we got caught in the volcanic ash and they invited us to stay at their farm. Really, you don't meet people like this too often. The apartment was also amazing and I get sad just writing this because we aren't there anymore. The apartment is perfectly located - within about 100 feet is a great little pizzeria, coffee shops, convenience store (and everyone was so nice to us). The 'downtown' is literally a 5-min stroll north -- and a great park is about 7 min south. Every day we strolled any direction from our apartment under the porticos - heading downtown to the main square or to any one of many cafes and gelaterias. I'm a runner and took off every day to run into the Bologna foothills. I was a Fellow at the University and this was about a 15 minute walk. We are already planning our next trip to Bologna for four weeks next summerr and I would never stay anywhere other than Lavanda. Also - an important point - is that the apartment is very very fully furnished - EVERYTHING you can need, from cutlery to basic cooking ingredients to a few beers in the fridge to towels and linen and shopping cart. This is important because two years ago we rented a similar flat in Croatia and it was EMPTY --- it cost a lot to buy all the basics, like toilet paper, salt shakers, detergent, clothes line, soap, vinegar, extra towels, etc -- all those things you need just a little bit of to be comfortable. Here there were even books to read, travel brochures, etc. We felt 'at home' the second we showed up and we never wanted to leave. I write thiis with deep sadness that we aren't in Lavanda right now but also with happiness that our sharing our experience might help lead people to finding a great place to stay. Enjoy!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Scottish family of four (Edinburgh, UK)
Date of Stay: 04/14/09 Review Submitted: 04/14/09

We spent 4 nights in Lavanda in April 2008, and are happy to confirm all the other positive comments. The apartment is very central and well-equipped. As we had a hire car due to spending time outside the city, the apartment was particularly well located between the very heart of the old city and the Staveco car park on the southern inner ring road (10 euros per day).

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Guest: Philippa1 (Cape Neddick ME)
Date of Stay: 04/05/09 Review Submitted: 04/05/09

My husband, sister, and I had a wonderful week at Lavanda in mid-March. Very central, quiet ( the apartment looks onto a courtyard)comfortable, and extremely well and thoughtfully equipped. We cooked in a couple of nights and enjoyed shopping for vegetables in the market, and wonderful pasta from Tamburini. I can thoroughly recommend Lavanda!

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Guest: colleen martin (goodyear arizona usa)
Date of Stay: 01/09/09 Review Submitted: 01/09/09

We stayed at the beautiful Lavanda apt dec4-11 and definitely recommend it to anyone going to the beautiful city of Bologna.The owner Anna was a delight and left us a wonderful ricotta cake, wine,fruit and many more goodies. The apt is walking distance to anything you might need or want and is completely furnished with everything imaginable.We hope to get back to Bologna someday and would love to stay at Lavanda again.

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Guest: Francine & Enzo (North Vancouver, BC)
Date of Stay: 11/15/08 Review Submitted: 11/15/08

The rating only allows for 1 Positive, but there are many positives about this lovely apartment called Lavanda. We thoroughly enjoyed our 1 week stay in early October. From reading all the great guest comments beforehand, we were really looking forward to meeting Anna Rita and she did not disappoint. She was so full of life and energy as soon as we walked in the door. Very gracious and full of good information to make the most of our stay. And don't get me started about that great ricotta cake she presented us :-) We also used Lavanda as a home base to explore the region, including side-trips to Parma, Modena and Maranello. It always felt great to come "home" to Bologna and especially Lavanda. Hopefully, we can stay longer next time!

Owner response:Well, Francine & Enzo - It does not take much to bake another ricotta cake. Come pick it up soon! A.R.

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Guest: Paul & Di (Sydney, Australia)
Date of Stay: 08/02/08 Review Submitted: 08/01/08

We stayed in Lavanda for most of July 2008, using the apartment as a base while exploring parts of northern Italy and while my wife attended a conference in Bologna. In the heat of an Italian summer, Anna Rita's lovely apartment was an oasis of cool tranquility. It was a great place to stay for 3 of us; well-equipped, air-conditioned and great internet access. It is a few minutes walk to Bologna's central square, yet it is in a peaceful residential area with some interesting local landmarks just nearby. It was easy to bus it to the station to catch trains to nearby cities - a pleasure to explore without worrying about driving, parking or carrying luggage. Lavanda is perfect for a family of 4 (or less). Although it can sleep more, it may be a bit "tight". In summary -a great place for an Italian holiday. The Hughes family, Sydney, Australia

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Guest: Mary Montella (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/31/08 Review Submitted: 07/31/08

My husband, daughter and I stayed in Lavanda for five nights in June 2008. It is a cozy, wonderful, personally decorated space -- it felt like staying in the home of a generous, artistic and considerate friend! Anna Rita was very welcoming and she has truly thought of everything to make her guests comfortable. The location is great -- a quiet street, but 5 minutes from the center of the town. Bologna is a perfect town for walking, which we enjoyed. We also had a car, and we appreciated that the parking lot is very near (there is no parking in the center of Bologna!). Food shops were close by too. We had our 18 year old daughter with us and we had lots of space for the three of us, but there is another large bed in the living room that would sleep additional people. We can highly recommend Lavanda, and hope to visit again soon!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/06/08 Review Submitted: 05/06/08

"Lavanda is definitely THE place to stay to enjoy the best of Bologna. Located in a smart area next to the Court of Justice, 200m from the supermarket, 500m from the closest Prada store ! wonderful arcades will lead you in a five-minute walk to the heart of the city (Piazza Maggiore). The flat in itself is a jewel : everything is new,from the central heating/air conditionning system to the electrical appliances and the furniture ; it is pristine clean (you could eat on the floor)and absolutely quiet. Just like home! The owners are the best hosts you could get and had prepared a VIP welcoming with fresh fruits,bus pass, wine bottle, the table was set for a snack with a delicious home-made ricotta cake, beds were done ...they even arranged to meet us earlier than expected... don't look for a 4-star hotel, choose Lavanda!!"

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Guest: Darryl S. (Seattle WA)
Date of Stay: 04/11/08 Review Submitted: 04/11/08

Just returned from a glorious trip to Italy. Our wonderful stay in Bologna was made even better if that's posible by out lovely host Anna Rita. The Lavanda Apt. was so charming, and located just minutes from everything. We loved our morning stroll to "our" neighborhood cafe for cappucino, and evenings spent relaxing in Lavanda's comfortable livingroom. Anna Rita, and Piero made our time in Bologna seem like we we're visiting old friends. We can't wait to return!

Owner response:This is exactly what we want to be considered by our guests -- old friends, to visit from time to time. Thanks, Darryl!

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Guest: Leslie 1 (Oakton, VA USA)
Date of Stay: 03/25/08 Review Submitted: 03/24/08

Bologna is one hidden treasure and Lavanda is another. This apartment is centrally located, beautifully decorated and spotlessly clean. The owners, Anna Rita & Piero,have done everything possible to make their guests feel at home. Their warm welcome and helpful suggestions got us off to a great start. This place is a find!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/28/07 Review Submitted: 10/28/07

Bologna is a wonderful city to visit and staying at Lavanda is an experience not to miss. Our host were kind and gracious. The apartment was clean, close to the historical centre and had all the amenities to make the stay feel like home. The cost is reasonable but only two bedrooms, so more suited for four not six people. I strongly recommend a visit to Bologna and a stay at Lavanda. We will return in the near future. John M - Canada

Owner response:Thank you for the nice words about our rental. We put two sofabeds in the livingroom just to accommodate 2 additional guests after the first 4. It is indeed more suitable for families with children this way. Cheers!

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Guest: Klaus E. Ernst
Date of Stay: 10/04/07 Review Submitted: 10/03/07

This is a great rental. The location is really central so you can reach every spot in town in minutes, all you need is walking a few minutes, everything is there and the owners are great people. The apartment is super-clean, very functional, very well furnished and there are all the appliances you need. We found the price excellent for what we got. P.S.: Everything is way much better than what you see in the photos!!! Don't miss this rental. -- Klaus.

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Guest: Kim H.
Date of Stay: 09/19/07 Review Submitted: 09/18/07

Anna Rita and Piero have definately thought of everything here. We were given a very warm welcome by them and a delicious, freshly baked, ricotta cake. The apartment is very newly renovated with a keen eye to the very last detail and to a high standard. The location is wonderful, so close to all of the beautiful sights of Bologna. I will definately be returning not only to Bologna but to this apartment. The only negative would be that it was advertised as having three bedrooms when in fact it has only two.

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Guest: Maribel V.
Date of Stay: 09/08/07 Review Submitted: 09/07/07

"El alojamiento es excelente, un apartamento precioso decorado con mucho gusto, todo nuevo, esta muy bien situado, en el centro de bolonia. Los dueños nos vinieron a recibir a las afueras de Bolonia, lo que es de agradecer, porque es complicado entrar, sobre todo de noche, la unica pega es que compartir un baño entre 8 personas, es algo complicado, ya que hay que ver tantas cosas, que el tiempo apremia. Aparcar es complicado, pero de noche no se paga, y de dia estabamos fuera. Si volvemos a Bolonia repetiremos"

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Guest: RAUL B.
Date of Stay: 08/14/07 Review Submitted: 08/13/07

Acogedor,accesible,tranquilo, perfecto estado,equipado completamente,maravilloso,lo mejor!!!!!.

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Guest: Christelle C.
Date of Stay: 07/01/07 Review Submitted: 06/30/07

"We had a great week in this apartment: the hosts are truly wonderful (welcome with a delicious cheesecake - yummi!; there was a portable bed and a high chair for our littlest one), you've got all you need in the apartment (and it's all brand new), the decoration is made with taste, the location is perfect (downtown in an old typical building with portico). I've warmly recommanded it to all my friends & family. So don't look for another place: you found it with this apartment."

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