Location: Santa Croce, Florence, Firenze (Florence) Province, Tuscany, Italy, Europe (Piazza D'azeglio - Piazza Santa Croce) View Map
Accommodations: Apartment, 5 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 3 Baths (Sleeps 10-12)
Keywords: apartment in family-owned home; quite, central, fully furnished; terrace; old books
Our apartment is huge, beautiful and airy - one of the very few of such size on the Florentine scene, totalling over 3000 square feet (270sqm). It's located on the 2nd and 3rd floor (3rd and 4th in US terms) of a 18th century beautiful building in the center of Florence. The building was built by my family when (1867) Florence became the Capital of Italy; it is still (mostly) owned by my family. One of my sis and my parents live there, so do we when we are in Florence (too little I'm afraid). BEWARE, as in many buildings of similar standing in Florence there is NO elevator as it would irremediably ruin this historical building. SO travel LIGHT (or mind you back…)!!!!!!!! And unfortunately no handicap access, we are very sorry). There are two rounds of stairs, which are indeed very soft, but please remember that they are there.
Our place has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms (one with jacuzzi, all with shower). Among the bedrooms there are two master bedrooms. The most romantic one is the one on the roof with en suite bathroom - I Love it, it used to be my old room then my beloved study. Other rooms in the house include a gourmet kitchen, washing and ironing room, living room, dining room serving up to 14 people in case you have guests etc. The apt ends with a little, yet very romantic terrace on the roof with a view fantastic over of the heart of Florence to drink an apero’ in the evening before dinner. The Synagogue in front of us is simply fantastic when illuminated for the interior!
Our place is very fresh even in summer and we’ll teach you the Italian tricks to keep in that way. Just in case, there is however air conditioning in the living room and in the two master bedrooms. It is full of light, all painted in light yellow or pale antique-pink. Some of the ceilings are decorated with XVIII century frescos. There is an antique library that I inherited from my great grandfather – Gennaro Mondaini – who was a very renowned scholar in its own time (his texts on colonialism are still being studied). The books mostly focus on social sciences, law, economics and history. As with all antique library, it is very interesting to explore it (did you ever know that in old British books Ireland was NOT listed as a colony??) and you are very welcome to read any of the books (but NOT to bring them home as a souvenir). In doing so however please be aware that some of the books have suffered along the years and needs to be handled in a soft way. Also, if you suffer from SEVERE dust allergy you might consider to go elsewhere (my husband is however very allergic to dust and never had problems with it).
We furnished our place with a mix of antique and modern. Some of the furniture have been in our family for centuries, like the XVII century double sided sofa that is in now the living room. Our porcelain was bought from the renowned Florentine factory “Ginori”.
We have cable TV, VHR, DVD, ADSL WIFI for you to use and plenty of English movies, and an incredibly equipped (and modern!) kitchen. The dishwasher is the only extra size one on the market.
The house is in the most beautiful residential area in the very historical center of Florence, known as Piazza D'Azeglio. It is a three minutes’ walk from Santa Croce Cathedral, the Duomo or Ponte Vecchio! It is a very Florentine part of the town; that is to say, where "real Florentines" (a rarity in fact! ) still live.
The day market of Sant'Ambrogio where you can find any sort of delicious food is a few hundred metres away. After that, grocery shopping will never be the same… There is also a great new grocery at our home's steps that is open 7/7 - a real commodity in Italy where most shops are closed on Sundays. If you do not feel like cooking, this is an area with plenty of charming little restaurants of all sorts. The world-renown Gelateria Vivoli and Procopio (ice cream shops) are only a few blocks away (that in Florence terms means 2 minute walking!)
Shops of all sorts are also a few steps away and on the last week-end of each month the famous Flea Market round the corner. Yet, the area is very quiet (half of the flat is facing on the private garden).
The Ugolino golf club with its beautiful swimming pool and tennis is only 15 km (8 miles) away.
Frankly speaking, our place is really uncommonly beautiful and very personal, nothing like one of the many typical professional rent that abounds in Florence. It is very clean and we ask you to keep it that way (we can arrange house cleaning to help you out with that). Given a couple of bad surprises there will now be a extra fee in case you leave the place a mess. We trust you to stay in our place with some of our most precious things. We give you our home as if it was a home exchange rather than a rent and we expect you to be respectful (it hasn’t always been the case so I’m afraid, I will now have to take some precautions).
Also, please remember that ours is NOT a professional rental business – and we think this is part of it beauty. Though we will be happy to assist you if something happens, we please do not expect round-the-clock professional assistance because I’m afraid we cannot provide it. At the same time, we will not bother you with offers or requests of any kind (again, except respect for our place and its belonging) during your stay. Hence, if a light does not turn on, please check if it is plugged in or if the bulb needs replacing (we leave extra ones behind) before calling me in the US to complain... (yes, it has happened...!)
For this reason, we see our perfect renters to be experienced and independent travellers, people who want to live the way Florentines do, and to do so in the perfect setting.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT OUR PLACE IS STRICTLY NON-SMOKINGING - I'M SEVERLY ALLERGIC TO IT!!
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided
- Washer
- Off Street Parking : upon request and for a little additional fee
- Beds
- King Bed (2)
- Queen Bed (3)
- Crib : please ask if you need one
- Entertainment
- Jetted Tub in Bath
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : the best gourmet kitchen ever!! with filtered delicious drinking water as well
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- View/Location
- Monument View
- Communications
- Telephone : please use it for local calls and to be called. for long distance pls use a calling card.
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- We have Phone line, Full equipped profession Kitchen, with huge frudge and frezer (separated), irononing and wasing room, all sort of Cooking Utensils, porcelan dishes, designer cuttlery, ADSL wireless internet connection, help yourselves bar, wirpool, Private Car Parking (upon request), Terrace, view over Garden, NO-Smoking imperative
- Suitability
- Kid Friendly
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters : no groups of students please
- Smoking Not Allowed : ABSOLUTELY NOT ALOWED!!!!!
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Biking
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Horseback Riding
- Restaurants
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- if you like fresh food,go for food shopping in the well known sant'ambrogio market! and if you are screaming for icecream, Vivoli is 2minutes walking away...
Rate Details (In Euros)
The house comes fully furnished w/ linens, towels, hairdryer, kitchen tools etc
short term all-inclusive rentals:3500€/wk HS (Apr-Oct & Xmas holidays).
2600€/wk (LS: Nov-March). Multiple weeks stays: 25% discount.2+ months:6500-9000€
sorry no credid cards - private owners - wire or check either to the US or France
NB due to some unciviled past guests please note that now a deposit of 500Eu is
required and will be refunded after departure. penalities will include over dirty-
messy apt @ departure, loss of keys, broken, damaged or missing things
long-distance phone calls etc.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 1867
Why the Owner Chose Santa Croce
This is NOT a vacation rental, it's OUR HOME!!!! We are NOT professional renters, we love our place and we rent it essentially to pay for the expences since we are now living abroad.
here are some comments from previous renters:
jane(rochester, new york): My family stayed at this lovely apartment last month. We were eight altogether (4 couples). The entire experience was without flaw. The owner was very helpful and communicative during the process of deciding on dates and other logistics. The apartment itself is very, very nice and just as represented; comfortable, welcoming, and well-equipped. It is big enough for everyone to have their space, but with lots of room to gather in the dining and living rooms. The location is without equal--everything is within easy walking distance, and the proximity to the neighborhood market and shops was terrific. I highly recommend this apartment.
Roland K: I highly recommend this apartment for people wishing to experience Florence outside the tourist mainstream. The apartment is old, large, comfortably furnished, cool even on hot days. The neighborhood is quiet, near a park and a wonderful market, an easy walk to Sta. Croce or the Duomo. The rooftop terrace is a tiny gem. Federiga made a great effort to ensure our comfort.
Guest: Bryan Scott(-)
Date of Stay: 07/31/07 Review Submitted: 07/31/07
Ciao Federiga-My family and I are safe and sound back in California, and I’d like thank you for allowing us to use your Florence home for the month of July, 2007. The apartment was everything I expected it to be. It has close access to the historical sites, and I was surprised by the friendly nature of the local Florentines. The restaurants, wine stores, and shopping all made our extended stay more enjoyable. I feel like I got to know the community, and only wish I didn’t have to leave.Let’s stay in touch.--Bryan Bryan Scott 925-484-2025; bryanATppi-cadotcom
The Unique Benefits at this Apartment
LOCATION: the best in Florence - 3 minutes walking from Santa Croce, the Duom, Uffizi etc, yet away from the usual tourist crowd and very Florentine. the area is filled with amazing mainly local great restaurants of all types, grocery stores (a great one in our street) and most of all an amazing open air market - the reknown Sant'Ambrogio market round the corner not to mention Vivoli and Procopio ice-cream makers!
SIZE AND CONFORT: family gathering? no problem, we have space for all! our place is vast, airy, calm, full of light, confortable and well appointed. An amazing little terrace on the roof will allow for romantic aperòs in the evening...
IN FLORENCE, ACT LIKE A FLORENTINE: You'll be HOME, like in a home exchange rather than in a rent and we please ask you to consider it that way.
My parents live in the and if you need help they will be happy to. However they are over 70 though they look younger. So, please do not call them (or me in the US - yes it has happened!!) if you need to change a light bulb (we leave extra ones) or to plug in an unplugged light. Please choose our place if you are a independent and experienced traveller who wants to enjoy true Florentine life at its best - in a truly fantastic apartment in the best location in Florence.
However, if you are an unexperience traveller who is looking for round-the-clock assistance or for the "perfect" yet asepting typical professional rent, this is definitely NOT your place.
Owner's Map of Santa Croce
we are a family of 3. I'm an university professor, my husband is now a diplomat after a life in business and consultancy. We are from Florence, then mooved to Rome and we now in Washington DC. we love it but we plan to come back to live in Florence some day (some day...) in the future...
Property Photos
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- Relax in the living room - Florence, Tuscany, Italy - Beautiful XVII Century House Rental!
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- .. relax in the terrace benefitting of the view... - Florence, Tuscany, Italy - Beautiful XVII Century House Rental!
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- one side of the living room looking into the dining room - Florence, Tuscany, Italy - Beautiful XVII Century House Rental!
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- can you play the piano?
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- another view of the dining room - sitting up to 14
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- Particular of a fresco in one of the bedrooms
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- Part of a fresco in another bedroom
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- side of the kitchen, 1st lavabo, microwave, dishwasher, cooking, owen and BBQ
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- another side of the kitchen with the 2nd lavabo and the drinking water tab
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- a view dining room
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- a corner of the 4th bedroom (can also serve as a study)
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- another view of the living room
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- santa croce (and vivoli icecream) - a two minutes stroll...
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- ... one more meter and you are at the arno river...
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- our garden
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- our front door... classic florentine neo classical
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #36896
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This listing was first published here in 2004.
Date last modified - Friday, January 20, 2012
