Vacation Rentals by Owner

Perfect apartment!

Guest: Estela E.
Date of Stay: 04/14/12 Review Submitted: 05/09/12

This apartment is perfect in all aspects. The great experience started with the e-mails exchanged with Rossella, she's just so helpful!! The apartment itself is located close to lots of attractions in the area, location is just perfect, with many coffee shops and restaurants nearby. It is very cozy, well organized, superbly mantained and well supplied with anything you need from hand soap to kitchen cleaning products. Grade 20 in a scale from 0 to 10!

Recommended for:

Perfect for art lovers!

Guest: Sharon E.
Date of Stay: 03/04/12 Review Submitted: 03/16/12

My husband and I just returned from a week at the Uffizi apartment – early March, a perfect time to visit Florence without the summer crowds! Rossella was at the apartment to greet us and get us oriented. She is gracious and so very very helpful! The apartment is darling and very comfortable – but, as they say, it’s “location, location, location”. Right next to the Uffizi, a block from the Arno and two blocks from the Ponte Vecchio, the setting could not have been more perfect, especially if you are planning a stay in Florence where walking will be your primary mode of transportation. The apartment itself is completely quiet for good sleeping conditions after busy days. The bed is comfortable, the kitchen sufficient (we really only made breakfast there) and the amenities like TV and a super-fast Wi-Fi network are nice to have. Outside temperatures were in the 50 to 60 degrees F, but we never had to turn up the heat and were very comfortable. There are lots of books about Florence (in English) in the apartment – so you don’t have to load up your luggage with travel guides, etc. and Rossella gives you a coupon to a very good restaurant that is right around the corner – be sure to use it! We would definitely stay here again!

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Fantastic location - lovely owner

Guest: Jess (Australia)
Date of Stay: 09/27/11 Review Submitted: 10/09/11

The stars of this apartment are the owner (Rossella) and the apartments location. It is literally about a 50m walk to the entrance of the Uffizi and around 300m to the Ponte Vecchio. We walked to all the major sights from the apartment. Rossella was great, she gave us a thorough introduction to the apartment and then a tour of the local neighbourhood, which we really appreciated as it made finding cafe, supermarket, internet point much easier the next day. We also appreciated her buying us an espresso, not just because Italian coffee is great, but because it allowed us to see how the cafe ordering system works - absolutely nothing like how it works here in Australia! The apartment is small, but perfect size for a couple. Even though it's very close to the Uffizi it's not noisy, as the apartment doesn't face the street. The only thing we thought the apartment would benefit from would be wi-fi, it would have been quite hand if it were available. There is an internet cafe about 5 mins walk away though.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Good location, quiet and very comfortable

Guest: Mary T. (Sydney, NSW, Australia)
Date of Stay: 09/22/11 Review Submitted: 10/27/11

We chose the Uffizi Apartment for its central position and because Rossella responded promptly each time we sent a question. It is located at the heart of historical Florence, 20 m from the Uffizi Gallery and behind the Ponte Vecchio - an easy walk to all the places of interest as well as bars, cafes, restaurants and shops. Housed in a pedestrian area on the second floor of a medieval building with a tiny elevator it is a quiet and calm place to escape the tourist throngs which are so much part of Florence. A good apartment for sound sleep – timber shutters on all the windows to exclude light and noise – and no pesky insects because all the windows are fitted with fly screens. There is plenty of heating throughout which will be needed in the colder months, and an air conditioner in the bedroom which is great in the heat. It’s worth noting that there are some stairs to negotiate – first a flight of four steps from the street level to the lift, and then a timber staircase from the living/dining area to access the bedroom and bathroom which are on a separate level. There is a small but adequate front loading washing machine in the bathroom (laundry detergent provided). The tiny kitchen is equipped with a small fridge, two ring stove and microwave, plus all the kitchen equipment you need to prepare simple meals if you wish. The staples, such as tea, coffee, basic condiments, oil and vinegar are available too. Florence is overflowing with excellent eating places – our advice is to get right away from the tourist traps. Just a few steps down narrow side streets or over the Arno around the St Spirito/university area there are fantastic traditional Tuscan gems to be found. Rossella will overwhelm you with advice – personal greeting, going through her amazingly detailed compendium of local information, and even insisting on giving you a brief conducted tour of the surrounding area. Internet is not currently available in the flat, but we found a tiny bar/paninoteca downstairs and a few steps to the right (called “ ’ino ”) which provides free wi-fi (open from morning till 5 pm) otherwise there are numerous others a little further afield which are open till late.

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

Wonderful week in historic Florence!!!

Guest: Gary (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/12/11 Review Submitted: 10/05/11

We stayed at the Uffizi apartment in September 2011. Initially in booking the apartment we had some reservations in wiring funds to someone we didn't know. I can assure you that any concern we had went away after meeting Rossella at the apartment. She couldn't have been nicer or more accomodating. She showed us through the apartment explaining everything we needed to know along with giving us a tour of the neighbourhood (local markets, restaurants). The apartment and the location was everything we expected it to be and more. Cozy and convenient to so many things. It is not a large apartment but it is conveniently laid out with two levels..living room downstairs and bedroom upstairs. Rossella provides a library of books on art and the renaissance period which we found very interesting and informative. You are right next to the Uffizi Gallery and within walking distance of all sights in Florence. Rossella provided us with two lovely bottles of wine, coffee from Florence and a nice bar of soap made in Florence as a parting gift. We recommend this apartment and would not hesitate to stay here again on our next visit to this beautiful city.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Couple from Texas

Guest: Nanny (Nacogdoches, Texas USA)
Date of Stay: 09/01/11 Review Submitted: 09/21/11

My husband and I stayed five nights in Florence at this apartment and it was everything we expected. Rosella was so warm and welcoming and provided us with coffee and wine. The AC upstairs was wonderful since the days were quite warm and even cooled the downstairs. Location was fantastic and we would definitelly stay again on a return trip to this beautiful city. Thank you Rosella for making our stay in Florence such a wonderful and memorable experience.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A week in Florence

Guest: Mimi (Portland, OR)
Date of Stay: 07/13/11 Review Submitted: 08/10/11

The description of the apartment and its location was very accurate in all respects. The property is clean and well-maintained. The location is really wonderful! The building is very old, with very thick walls (which interfere with cell phone reception) and wide-plank wood floors. Rossella was very warm and welcoming. She met us at the apartment, gave us a tour, showed us how to make Italian coffee and how the appliances work, which they all do. Then she gave us a tour of the neighborhood, indicating as we walked together the best bakery, the best produce stand and the local grocery store. Being less than 1 block from the Uffizi and 2 blocks from Ponte Vecchio was just perfect for our vacation. We could walk to almost everything we wanted to see and do. The restaurant on our corner was very good and Rossella gave us a 15% discount coupon for a meal there. We also found a restaurant across the Ponte Vecchio called La Galleria, which was excellent. We would readily recommend this apartment to a friend or relative.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Our Florentine Hideaway!

Guest: Peter & Val (Melbourne, Australia)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11 Review Submitted: 06/16/11

We have just spent a week in this Florentine hideaway. As other reviews have indicated, the location of this apartment is perfect. It was amazing to walk out of the door and have the Uffizi Gallery, the Piazza della Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio right on our doorstep! Whilst these are busy tourist attractions, the apartment itself is in a quiet, secure area. Rossella is a fantastic host. She met us on our arrival and explained everything about the apartment before taking us a tour of the local area, pointing out places to eat and shop, including the local supermarket, greengrocers and bakery. Everything in the apartment was as described in the literature. The apartment was small but comfortable, on the second floor - with a lift! Rossella had thoughtfully provided Chianti, Italian champagne and coffee - much appreciated. There was plenty of literature on Florence and surrounds and the handbook provided told us everything we needed to know. The location allowed us to walk to all of the major attractions (and we did!) and we also took a bus trip to Fiesole and a train trip to Lucca, which was interesting and informative. We enjoyed a meal at nearby Antico Fattore on our last evening and lunch at Volpi e L'Uva, a wine bar just across the Ponte Vecchio. We would certainly recommend this apartment. Thank you Rossella.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

5 nights in Firenze!

Guest: Anne (Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/25/11 Review Submitted: 07/10/11

My husband and I stayed for five nights in Rosella's homey and convenient apartment in Florence. The location was superb, (couldn't be better) and the friendly, welcoming hospitality was second to none. Rosella was warm and anxious to please in any way she could. There was wine to greet us and we almost felt like local. Our only slightly negative comment would have to do with our unsuccessful attempt to use the washing machine. I have no hesitation recommending this apartment.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Best stay we've had in Florence

Guest: Ray (Salt Lake City, Utah US)
Date of Stay: 04/08/11 Review Submitted: 04/25/11

The apartment was charming and everything it was supposed to be. Location unbeatable. Art books. cozy bed. I'd book it again in an instant.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Holiday in March 2011

Guest: Wayne & June (Illinois, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/09/11 Review Submitted: 04/18/11

Great location, did I say Great I really mean it. The apartment is small but cozy. Walking distance - 15 - 20 minutes at most to everywhere in Florence. Rossella was the perfect host; she met us on arrival and explained everything about the apartment. After that she took us around the neighborhood and pointed out her favorite places - Panini, Gelato, Coffee. She bought us coffee at her favorite coffee shop. You receive a discount card for her favorite Trattoria. She also leaves two bottles of wine and coffee in the apartment for you. Upon leaving she gives you a present of Florence made soap.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Location, Location, Location!

Guest: Jim & Renee (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/04/11 Review Submitted: 02/18/11

We just returned from a two-week stay at Uffizi Apartment; it was everything we hoped it would be. But the location--two minute walk to the Uffizi, three minutes to the Ponte Vecchio--was quite incredible! I think we walked to almost every site in town in less than 15 minutes. We typically walked back to the apartment for lunch and downtime before heading out for the afternoon adventure; it's so close to everything that was no problem at all. The apartment itself is very cozy and comfortable. The two levels with the bedroom and bath up are wonderful if someone wants to retire sooner than the other. Rossella has a great English library of art and history books that provide hours of entertainment and fill in holes in your knowledge of Florentine history. The apartment was clean and warm (it was quite cool this time of year in Florence). Utilities were extremely reasonable for our two weeks; less than I expected. The photos on the web site nicely captured the ambience of the space and appointments--nothing luxurious but very clean and comfortable as well as being very quiet--no traffic sound at all. Just the hourly chimes from a nearby belfry. We cooked the majority of our meals in the apartment. It was easy and convenient and saved a great deal of expense--dining out in Florence is pricey. All the necessary equipment was there; we just went to local grocery stores every day to buy our food. There's a wonderful Trattoria called Antico Fattore just around the corner from Uffizi Apartment. We had three meals there that were wonderful and the staff was great fun. Not many tourists, just locals. We were very happy at Uffizi Apartment and quickly settled in. We would highly recommend it for a couple.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Uffizi Apartment

Guest: Andreas and Shoshanna (Eichstaett, Bavaria/Germany)
Date of Stay: 12/27/10 Review Submitted: 01/07/11

We stayed at Rossella's charming and classy apartment for a week after christmas. The apartment itself is perfectly located--within walking distance of all the "must see" sights of Florence. The Uffizi museum is literally a minute away and the Ponte Vecchio just a 5 minute walk. It was wonderful to be in the heart of the city and have a place we could call "home" for a week. The apartment is very spacious and the kitchen is great. My husband's hobby is gourmet cooking and we had fun visiting the Mercato Centrale and cooking in the well equipped kitchen. The entire apartment is beautifully furnished and decorated--Rossella has seen to every detail, down to the art books. The apartment is a great value and although we stayed in winter, the additional cost for heating and electricity was very minimal (about 30 euros for 8 nights). Rossella herself is lovely--and made us feel like we were staying in her own home with all the gifts she provided. She also gave us many tips regarding the neighborhood (grocery stores, bookstores etc.) We highly recommend the Uffizi Apartment and plan to stay at Rossella's lovely apartment again on our next visit to Florence!

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

Wonderful week in Florence

Guest: Judith W. (Endicott, NY & Lourmarin, France)
Date of Stay: 10/30/10 Review Submitted: 11/07/10

We just returned from a wonderful week in the Uffizi apartment. We have been to Florence several times in the past, but this was the first time we stayed in an apartment. We had always enjoyed the wonderful food markets, and this time, we were able to bring home delightful Tuscan specialties to eat at "home". It also saved a bit of money, not having to dine out for some of our meals. The location of the apartment is amazing. You are literally one minute away from the Uffizi, and perhaps two to five minutes away from several other locations such as the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria, and the Duomo. Although some people think you can "do" Florence in just a day or two, to appreciate the city, you really need to have plenty of time to enjoy both the fantastic museums and palaces, and the ambience in the cafes and restaurants. Staying in a moderately-priced apartment for week is a much more affordable alternative than an expensive hotel. Being art lovers, we spent part of nearly every day at a museum, and we enjoyed the beautiful art books and interesting prints in Rossella's apartment. It was really convenient to be able to come back to the apartment to rest a bit after all the walking and touring before going out again. Rossella's vacation home is clean, comfortable and nicely decorated. She has great suggestions for places to visit, including a voucher for a delicious meal at the Antico Fattore trattoria next door. When we visit Florence again, we definitely plan on staying at the Uffizi apartment. It is a very special place.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Close to the Uffizi and Ponte Vechio yet tucked away.

Guest: On our 25th anniversary from Northern California (USA)
Date of Stay: 05/11/10 Review Submitted: 05/26/10

Centrally located. A few steps from the heart of major cultural attractions yet tucked away from the throngs of tourists down a narrow medieval street. Here the micro neighborhood drips of history. You can see it. You can taste it with all of its wonderful foods and drinks. You can feel how it used to be four hundred years or more ago. Rossella's listing photos were right on. She is an Etruscan sweetheart, the kind of person that a weary traveller would want to come upon to feel at home in a foreign city. Rossella is warm, helpful and generous with her time. She will answer any questions that you have. If she doesn't know the answer, heck she'll rush off to find out and tell you right away. Her apartment is a great value for the price. Rosella will provide you with wonderfully useful information about what to see and how to live in Florence. We would not hesitate to stay at her apartment again when we return to this ancient/modern city brimming with beauty, charm, vitality, and awe-inspiring sights. When the church bell rings, you will find yourself transported back in time. Inside Rossella's apartment life is quiet. Outside the apartment, there isa world to see. A part of us is still there. We can taste the bottle of Piccini chianti that you left for us, the Firenze Arabica coffee, and the breakfast biscuits. Thank you, Rossella, from the bottom of our hearts. We miss you. And thank you for treating us to a wonderful dinner at the Trattoria Antico Fattore.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Guest: Kris and Mike Roberts (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/02/10 Review Submitted: 01/02/10

What a wonderful experience! My husband and I rented Rossella's beautiful apartment for our Christmas Holiday. As a private owner not working with an agency, Rossella was able to provide hospitality above and beyond our expectations. Her warmth and generosity were so evident in everything about the apartment itself. The furnishings, the gifts for her renters, the dining certificate to the restaurant around the corner. It was like being at home. The location is EXCELLENT. Everything is within walking distance. The neighborhood is quiet. We felt very comfortable. We chose our lodging based on the recommendations of others and we made a wise choice. We would HIGHLY recommend Rossella's apartment to everyone.

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Guest: Deirdre and Robert (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/15/09 Review Submitted: 12/15/09

If you want to live as a true Florentine, you will enjoy this charming medieval apartment with the best location in the city, bar none! I recently spent a week in December and was delighted with all the amenities. The bed was comfortable, the bathroom has a great big bathtub, and the kitchen, though small, had everything for making coffee and quick meals. The utilities are extra, but it only added 11 euros to the rental rate! The weather outside was in the mid-50 degrees F, but I didn't need to turn on the heat because the walls are so thick and insulating. I was very comfortable in this apartment and Rossella, as everyone has noted, is a wonderful and thoughtful hostess. I would recommend this place for a true Florentine experience.

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Guest: carol d. (Pennsylvania)
Date of Stay: 11/22/09 Review Submitted: 11/22/09

This is a wonderful apartment and Rosella is a wonderful hostess. The apartment is comfortable, cozy, well-stocked with interesting and beautiful books and artwork, and Rosella started us off with everything we needed to wake up in Florence and have a wonderful breakfast. She also took us around the "neighborhood" (quite a neighborhood, literally a one-minute walk to the Piazza Signoria and the Uffizi) and introduced us to various local people. The included gift dinner is at a wonderful restaurant (delicious; we ate there again and were warmly welcomed). We are already planning our next visit.

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Guest: Dennis Gillespie (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/21/09 Review Submitted: 09/21/09

We had a wonderful stay at the Uffizi apartment in Florence. It is only steps away from the Uffizi Gallery and Piazza del Signoria, and the Ponte Vechio bridge, within easy walking distance to all of old Florence. The apartment is quite comfortable. Rossela was a wonderful host, providing several local food products to welcome us, and assisting with suggestions of places to visit. We would definetly stay again on a future trip. I highly recommend the Uffizi Apartment.

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Guest: Ann 4 (WI USA/Co. Waterford Ireland)
Date of Stay: 07/20/09 Review Submitted: 07/20/09

My stay in the Uffizi apartment exceeded my expectations. Rosella's hospitality was second to none. She provided many wonderful treats, tastes of Florence. The apartment was beautifully decorated and very comfortable. It is situated in the heart of historical Florence. Steps from the Uffizi, yards from the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza Signoria. I walked everywhere! It is also very safe. As a woman travelling on her own, walking to and from the apartment in the evenings was not a concern. Rosella's hospitality added to my trip. I will and have recommended this apartment to family and friends. Thank you Rosella for adding to the enjoyment of my trip to Florence.

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Guest: Lumi1 (Miami, Florida, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/18/09 Review Submitted: 05/18/09

I recently stayed in the Uffizi apartment and I absolutely felt at home! The apartment was very cozy and gave one the feeling of being surrounded by history. I was also happy to finally sleep in a comfortable bed (so hard to find in Europe) and the decor was simply lovely. Rosella provided many yummy treats (LOVED the individual Nutella packets!) and made us feel like we were staying with family! She also provided a lot of information about the surrounding areas and the current exhibits (information about nearest internet cafes came in very handy!). The apartment is located in the historic center of Florence. It really was a hop and a skip from the Uffizi. I would literally go out the door walk half a short block-- turn to my right...poof there's the Uffizi! Ponte Vecchio was extremely close too! It took me about 4 or 5 minutes to walk there! You can also walk to the Accademia and the Duomo (which is very close by!). I spent the entire time walking because I had no need for a taxi (except for the taxi to get to and from the apartment). I highly recommend this apartment to anyone visiting Florence and wanting to stay in the center of all the historical sites. I really enjoyed my stay! Thank you Rosella for letting me stay in your lovely apartment! =)

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Absolutely fabulous location and ambience !!

Guest: Nel (India)
Date of Stay: 05/15/09 Review Submitted: 01/18/12

Wonderful and cozy apartment very very close to the Uffizi Gallery.Could say a hop,skip and a jump !!! Rosella and Giovanni are charming and extremely helpful.Excellent location as very easy access to all places of interest. Very reasonably priced too and at an historical location.

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