Vacation Rentals by Owner

Florence holiday

Guest: Eileen (Auckland)
Date of Stay: 10/30/11 Review Submitted: 11/15/11

The apartment is in a great location, close to main attractions restaurants and markets. Even a bakery across the road!! We were greeted at the apartment upon arrival with fresh fruit and wine. The apartment itself is very comfortable and spacious ! It's really easy to walk everywhere . There is no lift and the apartment is on the 2nd floor so beware. Only problem I had was street noise...never quite got used to it!! Also only one set of linen provided...spare set would be good . Had many memorable walks along the river which is close by. Loved my holiday!

Owner response:Dear Eileen, Thank you for your review. I'm so glad you enjoyed this very Florentine neighborhood. It's an unfortunate fact that most of the historic center of Florence is noisy. Some parts of Florence are even noisier than my neighborhood, in fact. The linens which are provided are a bathtowel, handtowel, and washcloth per person per week and, of course, the pressed sheets. For longer stays, we arrange for our housekeeper to come in each week to change linens. Hope you'll visit again.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Luxurious and convenient

Guest: Girlwithacurl (Sydney, Australia)
Date of Stay: 10/20/11 Review Submitted: 11/06/11

We stayed here for 6 nights in October 2011. It felt like a privilege to stay in such a beautifully appointed home. We found everything we needed and made great use of the information provided about local restaurants. The area is very convenient - not the tourist district but close enough to walk to anything we wanted to see. The owner and manager are both very friendly and responsive. Would definitely stay here again if we are able to plan another holiday in Florence.

Owner response:Kirsten, We are delighted that you found your way around so easily and that you felt at home in our apartment. We hope to see you again whenever you return to Florence.

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

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION and a plus...

Guest: Cindy (San Miguel de Allende)
Date of Stay: 08/01/11 Review Submitted: 09/13/11

Waking up to the melodious bells from the Duomo and going to the corner of the street cafe to have the best cappuccino every morning is something I still miss or going to the market (two blocks away) for my Shakerato (a cappuccino first then the Shakerato) and to buy fresh produce, beans still in their envainado, homemade pasta and fresh basil pesto or nut sauce, is a treat I will never forget. Walking through the streets from your house where Da Vinci or Michelangelo once walked or a daily stroll to Ponte Veccio is more than I could have dreamed of doing. The little store where I would fill my empty bottles with a Montepulciano for just a few Euros, is something one gets easily used to. And the locals added to this marvelous experience. Cannot forget the best gelato around the corner, mamma mia the pistacchio! As you know, I'm a B&B owner in Mexico, in a way you go with a critical eye, I have no complaints, in fact, only gratitude. Your place was impeccable, your kitchen well equipped and it was a plus to have the surprise treats that you had for us. The beds are very comfortable and helped recuperate from so much walking... We would take a daily stroll to the Ponte Vecchio and could not miss walking around the Duomo often which bewitched me. You are so close to everything, the Uffizi museum, the Academia, Piazza della Republica, shopping, etc, etc, etc. I would recommend to future guests to stay at least 2 to 3 weeks. There is so much to see, so much to do in Florence, el centro del Renacimiento and towns near by. You cannot miss going Siena, the Chianti region (by bike) to beautiful Venice and Rome of course. People are welcome to enquire about a historian, Antonella Fabriani, that took us around Rome to see the key spots, that was invaluable and not too expensive. Choosing your place in this building which must be over 800 years old was the best decision we made! Grazie mille! Cynthia Kulander Casa Carmen, San Miguel de Allende, Gto. Mexico.

Owner response: Dear Cindy, Thank you so much for your kind comments. It is not hard to become addicted to Florence. It is a pleasure to know that you felt so much at home. I hope to host you and your daughters again soon.

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

History everywhere

Guest: Judy (West Springfield, MA)
Date of Stay: 09/12/10 Review Submitted: 09/29/10

Hello Gilda, What a coincidence that you e-mailed me today---I have been putting my Italy photos in a book and enjoying my trip all over again. We had a wonderful time in Firenza. We especially liked living among the Florentine people instead of a hotel. Kate and I went to the market many mornings and bought the amazing fresh produce and wonderful fish or meats there. One of the vendors had delicious fresh pasta and cheeses that we bought and loved that night. We had to laugh when the espresso vendor (who flirted with all the women) would put a heart on top of our morning coffee. We also got the knack of getting better prices at the outdoor stores and markets. Our vacation in Firenza was very memorable and I will be telling the stories for years. The view of the city from the tuscan hills took our breath away. The history at the Santa Croce church was awesome. We both bought beautiful brief cases---soft leather. Donald was very helpful. While walking down a street one day we actually ran into him!!! Who would think? We loved the location of your flat and found it very comfortable. You have done a great job with the decor--authentic Italian. By the end of the week I was actually able to climb the 61 steps without loosing my breath! Almost like going to a gym daily!! I'm so glad I found your flat---we loved staying there.

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

Guest: Rachel McCarthy (Burlington, Vermont)
Date of Stay: 01/06/10 Review Submitted: 01/06/10

Our family of four adults spent a week in the apartment over Christmas this year and had a fantastic holiday in Florence. We loved being part of the neighborhood and living in an apartment allowed us to enjoy cooking with the best ingredients from the local market. We only ate in a restaurant once during our stay because our abilty to cook in the apartment was such a wonderful experience. Florence is a magical place and the apartment is just lovely and very well appointed. Gilda, the owner, and Donald, the property Manager, were helpful on all aspects of our stay. We all cannot wait to return to Florence and to this apartment. We would absolutely recommend it to anyone in search of a lovely home away from home in Florence.

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Guest: Lisa and Larry Bryant (-)
Date of Stay: 11/08/09 Review Submitted: 11/08/09

We recently (October, 2009) spent a wonderful week in Florence. The apartment was ideal for 2 couples. We each had comfortable bedrooms and really enjoyed the the common areas. We felt a part of the neighborhood and especially enjoyed visiting the local market each day to get fresh fruits, cheeses,wine, etc. Everything was within walking distance. The locals were very friendly and helpful. The apartment was lovely and well equipped.The owners were very helpful with pre-trip information. We look forward to a return visit.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/23/08

We had a wonderful time at this property, sharing it for 1 week with another couple. The apartment is spacious, both common rooms and bedrooms are very well appointed. The location is truly wonderful - we were able to walk to all areas of the historic district of Florence. There are many restaurants as well as take-out, wine shops and groceries a quick walk away. The Leather School at the rear of Santa Croce is a gem! All in all this property was perfect, and we would return any time!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/18/08

We had the most wonderful week stay in Florence at the apartment of 52 Via Ghibellina. Gilda was especially helpful in every way. We could not have asked for better! The location was excellent and the place was beautiful. We think much better than a hotel! This was my husbands favorite place that we stayed in all Italy. He felt the most comfortable here. Thank you so much for making our Florence trip a memorable experience. Kind Regards, Jennifer and Kevin Hughes

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/11/08

The apt was very nice and clean. It's location has easy access to local sites,airport,train and many restaurants. We were greeted by the property manager on our day of arrival-he assisted us with any questions and concerns we had. The residents of the apt building were very quiet. We felt very secure during our stay. Working with the owners of this vacation rental has been very comfortable and professional.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/08 Review Submitted: 04/22/08

We had a great month of February using your apartment as a home base to travel around Tuscany. Your suggestions were extremely helpful. The Santa Croce and Sant'Ambrogio neighborhoods offered so much it was hard to leave. Marco at il Pizzaiuolo knew us as regulars. It was interesting that by accident we found Vico del Carmine Osteria in the San Frediano district. He, Carmine, is the original owner (as we were told) of il Pizzaiuolo. The apartment is well set up. The kitchen is efficient. Marlena and Cintia were very helpful and Donald was prompt to meet us upon arrival. We enjoyed your CD's especially Pepe Romero and Old Songs from Napoli. Enjoy your home in Firenze! We certainly did. Anthony Ferruolo Gilford, NH USA

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Guest: Julie
Date of Stay: 03/29/08 Review Submitted: 03/28/08

The building has a grace that was lovely to return to. My husband had a wonderful 50th birthday; our paris based daughter joined us.. she also loved the apartment, and the 2 bathrooms were a bonus. We dined at the Hotel Santa Croce..just down the street from the apartment. It was the perfect venue for a special celabration. We loved the location and ambience of the apartment, and Donald was punctual, welcoming and lovely. We hope to return to Via Ghibbelina in the future, Again, Many thanks, Julie August 2007

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Guest: Phyllis Dadley - Moore_HAC120529 (Not Specified)
Date of Stay: 01/01/08 Review Submitted: 01/12/08

We spent a wonderful Christmas in Florence. I had travelled with my husband from Melbourne Australia, my daughter from London & her friend from Germany. The appt. was most welcoming with Christmas linen, poinsettiers, candles, dried fruit & nuts. Also wine & a large bowl of fresh fruit. We cooked a fabulous feast Christmas Day with food purchased from Mercato Centrale and Mercato San Ambrogio. We loved the fact that all our food needs were met locally, with the market, the Standa Supermercato 5 mins walk & Al Forno for fresh bread and pastries daily, almost opposite the front door. We dined locally, had great meals and loved Cibreo's. We were blessed with great weather 10c - 12c with blue skies everyday. The appt. is perfectly located for walking everywhere which we did. We took cabs to arrive and leave otherwise walked. Only 25-30 mins.walk from Santa Maria Novella Station with beautiful central Florence all the way to via Ghibellina. Florence at Christmas was twinkling with decorations and it was a treat to walk the streets with so few visitors. Many times,especialy in the evening we walked passed the Duomo with only 8 - 10 other people around us. The appt. is well appointed with everything one could need as a home away from home, including very efficient central heating. Having been to Florence many times previously and always stayed in hotels, we feel that we have discovered something special and would love to return. We would recommend it as a wonderful central base for a treasured holiday in this great historical city.

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Guest: Allison Smith_HAC117855 (Austin, Texas)
Date of Stay: 12/01/07 Review Submitted: 12/25/07

We can't say enough about this beautiful apartment in historic Florence! My husband and I stayed there for our honeymoon, and when we tell others about our time in Italy, we immediately bring up this lovely flat. The frescoes on the ceiling, the large living/dining area and the comfortable kitchen made us feel like we had picked up our lives and moved to Florence for the fall. Gilda was easily accessible and even treated us to a bottle of proseco to celebrate our nuptials. We used the guest book regularly and took advice from former guests on food, wine and event planning. We plan to stay there again and have already recommended it to many friends.

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Guest: Matt_HAC116858 (Littleton, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 12/01/07 Review Submitted: 12/10/07

We had a wonderful time in Florence, your apartment made the experience that much better. Plenty of space to prepare and enjoy our Thanksgiving dinner - Italian style! I enjoyed walking to Cibreo's each morning for cappucino and pastries, and my mom loved the San Ambrogia market, but I think my Dad's favorite part was that the bus stopped on the next block! All the restaurants you recommended were excellent, we even tried Dino's across the street and had an amazing dinner. We couldn't have asked for a better place to spend our week in Florence!

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Guest: Renee Dole (Baton Rouge, LA)
Date of Stay: 11/01/07 Review Submitted: 10/31/07

This was my second time this year to be able to stay in Gilda and Fulvio's wonderful apartment. The recent trip was October 8-14 and the weather was wonderful. I think I finally mopped up some of the things I kept missing on previous trips to Italy. We got into the Borghese Gallery in Rome(Bernini is stunning and brought tears to my eyes), the Capitoline Museum(Dying Gaul), the Brancacci Chapel at SM del Carmine in Florence, the Caravaggio's in Rome. Have I been wasting too much time drinking wine in piazzas? I am so in love with your neighborhood. People remembered me from March and we made some new friends at Bacco Nudo wine shop where we became the poster children for recycling.Paolo Carandini's contemporary leather shop on Via de' Macci is wonderful for a unique gift. I love his work and finally bought several of his colorful leather boxes this time for Christmas gifts. We has a great meal Baldovino's. I had eaten there in '98 and loved it. We also loved Cafe Sant' Ambrolio(a couple of streets behind the apartment).They put out great bar food at lunch and in the evening. Good music and a fun atmosphere...no other Americans. I also have a suggestion. I can sleep anywhere and live on a busy street in Baton Rouge, but the others with me this time had a ha time with the street noise. I have a "white noise" thing that makes a whooshing noise that I use when the natives are particularly restless. We ate at "home" 3 nights after we got back from a day trip to Bologna where my friends took and afternoon cooking class and came away with 3 shopping bags of homemade pasta. It is one of my favorite things to be able to come home at night and have a great meal around your wonderful table and to catch up on what we did that day.And it's all the more pleasurable because the kitchen is so well-equiped with beautiful bowls and platters to lay out the feast. I'm just going on and on, but it was a wonderful trip and my favorite part is feeling like part of a neighborhood in Florence. Oh, and the BEST...we went into Caffe Mela one morning and the owner held up the Communist newspaper with Al Gore on the front page at the Nobel Peace Prize winner...what a way to start the day!!! Thanks for the great place and thanks to Donald for the warm welcome, the flowers and the wine. Renee Dole Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Owner response:Renee, Thanks for your comment. And for your input on noise. European cities, especially the historic areas have a certain level of noise that can be somewhat alleviated with your suggestion. While my house is not in the noisiest area of Florence, it by no means compares to the quiet of our American suburbs. Hope to finally get to meet you when you visit DC. Gilda

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Guest: Linda & John_HAC73688 (Littleton, CO)
Date of Stay: 10/01/07 Review Submitted: 10/30/07

What a beautiful, comfortable and centrally located apartment! We walked everywhere we wanted to go easily, the surrounding sites are amazing. The local restaurants you recommended were fantastic! The churches, the art, the history, the shopping... All superb!! Having your apartment to call home for a week was perfect. We have highly recommended it to many of our friends and we hope to visit again. Thank you.

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Guest: Bonnie and Jeff Rames
Date of Stay: 06/07/07 Review Submitted: 06/06/07

Hi Gilda, We loved the apartment, it is wonderful. We enjoyed going to the street market and getting stuff for breakfast each day, and then heading out for the sights. Seeing the David, restored and in such an incredible setting was truly the highlight of the trip for me. I got choked up! He is so beautiful. We also loved "accidentally" discovering a really remarkable church/abbey/cemetery (called San Marco I think? Maybe not...) above Michelangelo Plaza on the other side of the river. We walked back through a really cool neighborhood, envious of those homeowners, and came out right near the Ponte Vecchio bridge. That was a nice day. Thanks again, Gilda and Fulvio. Having such a classy and comfortable home base made our trip to Florence truly fun and memorable. We hope you can stay with us in Oregon some time! Cheers, --Bonnie and Jeff Rames

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Guest: Bonnie and Rand Macksamie (Darien, CT)
Date of Stay: 03/01/07 Review Submitted: 03/07/07

Dear Gilda, We just want to tell you what a magical time we had in Firenze during our stay in February. At the end of our week, we asked each other - what was your best, favorite, special thing about the whole experience, and our son Matt said it was staying in the apartment in that neighborhood, and walking out every morning to see something new, (plus the very tasty pastries we had for breakfast each morning from the next door bakery). Surprisingly, we had a full week of perfect weather, sunny in the mid 50's-60's, that allowed us to walk and walk and explore. The fact that our daughter, Jenny, had been studying there for over a month and could navigate for us and speak Italian was a great boon for us. Anyway, we just wanted to let you both know what a wonderful time we had, and also thank you for your kind attention every step of the way. We all want to return some day soon. Thanks again - Bonnie

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Guest: Priscilla Chester (Minneapolis MN)
Date of Stay: 01/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/25/07

Charming, confortable and well located!! That's my husband's comment. I must add, staying in this lovely apartment made our stay in Florence a delight. Knowing Michaelangelo lived on the next block and being in the heart of a great neighborhood with every amenity made us feel like locals. We could shop for garden fresh food in the nearby market and smell the bakery across the street. We easily walked to all the sights. Couldn't recommend a better place to stay. Thanks much Gilda and Fulvio

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Guest: Kate M. (St. Paul, MN, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/21/07

We spent a delightful week here in January, 2007. This beautiful Florentine apartment was everything we hoped for and more. It was convenient and in a wonderful neighborhood -- within easy walking distance to great restaurants, shops, and all the tourist sites. We found that we were quite happy simply sitting in the living room, sipping a glass of wine and staring at the ceiling frescoes. The apartment is painted in colors that compliment the frescoes. The bedrooms were large and comfortable; the baths were lovely; and it was fun to put together meals in the kitchen. We had good weather -- sunny days and temps in the 50's -- and we never had to wait in line or fight crowds. It was perfection! We hope to return -- again and again.

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Guest: Walter Schwab (Sagaponack,NY,USA)
Date of Stay: 12/01/06 Review Submitted: 12/29/06

Dear Gilda & Fulvio, We had a wonderfull week staying in your apt in Florence. The location was better than we anticipated and the spacious size of the apt made the four of us feel extremely at ease. We usally ate in the local resaurants as the food was good and the prices reasonable. The markets and shops provided us with all we required for for food, wine and sweets. The weather in October could not have been more perfect. Looking foward to another visit. Roseann,Walter,Liz & Bob

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Guest: Diane and Jim Smith (Chevy Chase, Maryland)
Date of Stay: 11/20/06 Review Submitted: 11/20/06

Gilda and Fulvio: Although we have been visiting Firenze annually since 1994, our recent stay in your beautiful and immaculate apartment was perhaps our most relaxing yet. Arriving to fresh fruit, flowers, and chilled wine, along with Donald’s helpful instructions, made us feel at home instantly, and we quickly settled into the Florentine lifestyle. We chose October to accommodate my foreign language classes and Jim’s business trips in Europe, and to our delight both the weather and the lighter tourist crowds were mellower than in summertime. The fall harvest offered its own seasonal bounty in the Sant’ Ambrogio and amazing San Lorenzo markets, making cooking a pleasure. We enjoyed the neighborhood in and around Santa Croce, especially Teatro del Sale and the Cibreo Caffe, and everyone was eager to help with my Italian (especially your friendly neighbors at Bacco Nudo on Via dei Macci, whose Sicilian Amabile and cantucci were perfetto). Having a washing machine, the wi-fi computer connection, the cell phone and landline were greatly appreciated, and one need not pack any tourist guide books or cd’s, given your generous selection. Your apartment was so comfortable, well equipped, and perfectly located. Given my on-going language lessons and Jim’s business travel, we are delighted to have found the perfect home-away-from-home for our future visits.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/06 Review Submitted: 11/25/06

We visited Italy in August 2006. We had a wonderful time in Florence and the apartment exceeded our expectations. The apartment was spacious, beautifully decorated, comfortable, and a home away from home. A far better expereince than staying in a hotel.

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Guest: Diane and Jim Smith (Chevy Chase, Maryland)
Date of Stay: 11/01/06 Review Submitted: 11/19/06

Gilda and Fulvio: Although we have been visiting Firenze annually since 1994, our recent stay in your beautiful and immaculate apartment was perhaps our most relaxing yet. Arriving to fresh fruit, flowers, and chilled wine, along with Donald’s helpful instructions, made us feel at home instantly, and we quickly settled into the Florentine lifestyle. We chose October to accommodate my foreign language classes and Jim’s business trips in Europe, and to our delight both the weather and the lighter tourist crowds were mellower than in summertime. The fall harvest offered its own seasonal bounty in the Sant’ Ambrogio and amazing San Lorenzo markets, making cooking a pleasure. We enjoyed the neighborhood in and around Santa Croce, especially Teatro del Sale and the Cibreo Caffe, and everyone was eager to help with my Italian (especially your friendly neighbors at Bacco Nudo on Via dei Macci, whose Sicilian Amabile and cantucci were perfetto). Having a washing machine, the wi-fi computer connection, the cell phone and landline were greatly appreciated, and one need not pack any tourist guide books or cd’s, given your generous selection. Your apartment was so comfortable, well equipped, and perfectly located. Given my on-going language lessons and Jim’s business travel, we are delighted to have found the perfect home-away-from-home for our future visits.

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Guest: Les B. (New Bern, NC)
Date of Stay: 11/01/06 Review Submitted: 11/14/06

We (two couples) stayed here in September of 2006. The apartment was everything as advertised and more! We found ourselves in the middle of a lively Florentine neighborhood, just steps away from bakeries, wine shops, fantastic restaurants, an open air market. We were welcomed into the neighborhood by all the people we met. We found we were a 10 minute walk from the Uffizi and no more than 15 minutes from the Ponte Vecchio. Florence is so busy in the evening, it was wonderful to stroll through the ancient streets. Gilda and Fulvio provided a beautiful setting for one of the best travel experiences we have ever had. Fantastico!

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Guest: Robin_HAC60046 (Aloha, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 08/01/06 Review Submitted: 08/08/06

Thank you Gilda for opening your wonderful apartment to us. It was my first trip to Italy and already can't wait to return. The apartment was perfect for my husband and myself along with my parents. We went to the market every day and got our meat and cheeses along with the fantastic caneloupe Italy seems to grow. We cooked one night but enjoyed the restaurants the other nights. I think our favorite was Trattoria Tirovino, the staff was very welcoming and the food was terrific. My favorite part about the location was the great wine store around the corner - where else can you get a great bottle of Chianti for 2.80! I loved Florence and everything about it - thanks again for all your tips. Dan and Robin Malone

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 03/31/06 Review Submitted: 03/30/06

Copied from guest book April 11, 2005 Dear Gilda, Most of all thank you for having organized everything to such a level of detail and for having left us such great suggestions. We especially liked the great restaurants of the area, such as the neapolitan one, Il Pizzaiuolo. It should be mentioned that the apartment is a marvel, all of the decorations are beautiful and very well chosen. We all loved this city, we came mostly to rest but we ended up doing a lot. We even ended up in Rome for the Pope's funeral, having had the luck of buying train tickets on time. We adored Florence, each of us has an extra suitcase...of purchases. We loved the people and the way of life. We'll surely be back, hopefully very soon. Thanks for everything. M, T. and G.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 03/31/06 Review Submitted: 03/30/06

Copied from apartment guestbook Nov. 19, 2005 We spent a wonderful week here in the 'off season' and found the crowds to be less, the people warm and friendly and the weather completely dry and sunny. Thank you, Gilda, for the chance to stay in this gorgeous, historic apartment. It was perfect for us. And thanks to Donald for his warm welcome and caretaking. It will be hard to go back to hotel rooms after the comfort of this lovely apartment. We hope to return someday to beautiful Florence and this place...our home away from home. MJ, J, E, & J

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 03/31/06 Review Submitted: 03/30/06

Copied from apartment guestbook Sept. 9, 2005 Dear Gilda and Fulvio We have enjoyed our second stay at 52 Via Ghibellina. A special highlight was the great evening at Teatro del Sale. Chef Fabbio Picchi prepared along with his staff a fantastic and tasty feast. And the envening show featuring Flamenco was very entertaining. Our walk up to the hilltop park at Piazza Michelangelo was worth the hike...the view overlooking the city is great. As we have done before, we used our Florence base as a starting point for regional excursions...this time the usual long afternoon in Fiesole and a day trip to see a dear friend in Orvieto. Things in Italy remain pretty much the same...too many motorinos, but the best food around. Tomorrow we're off to Roma and then north to Milano! Sincerely, J & E

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 03/31/06 Review Submitted: 03/30/06

Copied from apartment guestbook May 2005 Dear Gilda, Thank you for sharing your beautiful home and providing so much great information about local restaurants, shops, etc. The market Sant'Ambrogio is terrific. We cooked a few nights and stayed 'local' for the rest. We had a fantastic lunch at il Pizzaiuolo (our second visit) after the owner warmed up. He shared his pizza with us! Trattoria Tirovino was excellent and welcoming! The location is terrific too! A few suggestions for the kitchen: chef knives and a drip coffee maker. Donald was very helpful and accomodating for our early morning arrival. Once again...a wonderful time, in a great city, at a beautiful home Best regards, C & J (The drip coffee maker was purchased by owner)

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/05 Review Submitted: 08/21/05

Dear Gilda: Our stay in your lovely home was perfect--from the delightful welcome basket to the spacious master bedroom to the beautifully restored fresco on the living room/dining area ceiling. The location was perfect--easy access to all that Firenze offers. We especially appreciated your helpful tips about local restaurants and the "must-visit" S'Ambrogio market. We hope to return to Firenze and to the wonderful apartment we called home for a too-brief week. Kind regards, Caryl & Jim

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Guest: Elizabeth Macdonald (Boxborough, MA 01719)
Date of Stay: 07/01/05 Review Submitted: 07/18/05

I had such a wonderful time at Gilda and Fulvio's property on Via Ghibellina. The building was charming and I enjoyed meeting the neighbors, going to the local market for fresh meats and cheeses, and above all, avoiding the tourist crowds which do not take over this neighborhood. And yet, we were only a short walk from all the major attractions, such as the Santa Croce cathedral and markets, the Uffizi Gallery, the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio, and the Piazza della Signoria. The apartment is beautifully furnished and we felt very comfortable relaxing in the living room on the sofas and at the large wooden dining table. I also really enjoy the open air on the courtyard, which is accessible by windows in the kitchen and back bedroom. It felt refreshing as I made my coffee in the mornings. I hope to go back soon, and explore more of the Santa Croce neighborhood. We had many opportunities to speak Italian, and one day the local wine merchant even ran to get a translator when my mother said 'Inglese?'. You will not be disappointed when you stay here; it's a lovely respite for your Florence vacation.

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Guest: Gerry_HAC28021 (New York City)
Date of Stay: 04/01/05 Review Submitted: 04/21/05

This place was phenomenal!!!! Gilda had tons of suggestions of things to do, places to see, places to eat. The apt. was magestic!!!!! Right in the heart of every cool thing such as the nice small mercatos, Santa Croce area, great area. We were there just to relax after a dynamic week in Europe but with all the temptations around Santa Croce, we ended up exploring almost the entire city.

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Guest: The Koehns
Date of Stay: 02/20/05 Review Submitted: 02/19/05

February 2005 Dear Gilda, Many thanks for a warm and cozy apartment for our family to enjoy during our very first trip to Florence and Rome. The weather was interesting to say the least. The first big snowfall in 20 years. (Donald told us!) And we were privileged to have experienced it! But we were very warm and comfortable here..even though the pipes froze...we got our showers the next morning! Many great memories and over 200 pictures to develop. Our favorites are: For me and Laurie: Restaurants and climbing the Duomo, Santa Croce Church and desserts For the kids: Boboli Gardens and lunch sandwiches, the David, and San Lorenzo shopping and For all of us: Gelato! The Koehns

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Guest: Grace
Date of Stay: 11/28/04 Review Submitted: 11/27/04

Dear Gilda First, we want to say how much we appreciated your calls, your offer to call my parents, and the information you left in the apartment. We learned from you how important all of this is and will apply it in our own rental. I think particularly because we did not speak Italian, the information you left was just invaluable. We got our hair done, visited Anna's, went to concerts, went to eat at your recommended places, and as a result had a much richer experience than would have otherwise been possible. In addition, the phone was a God-send. Secondly, the apartment was just beautiful. We felt completely at home. Your taste in decorating was perfect. We thoroughly enjoyed it, appreciating its beauty and its "Florence-feeling". Donald was very pleasant and thoughtful. It was kind of him to leave water, flowers, and wine and to meet us early even though he didn't feel well. Re: Our adventures. I think we had some of the best food in our lives. We saw the David, the Uffuzi, shopped til we dropped, then ate til we thought we would burst. We went to Lucca on the last day, which was just beautiful and we hired a taxi to take us into the mountains. We saw olive trees for the first time, and the view from the mountains was so incredible we thought our hearts would break. Thank you for a wonderful experience. All the best, Grace and Edie

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Guest: Kris and Jeana
Date of Stay: 10/22/04 Review Submitted: 10/21/04

Dear Gilda and Fulvio, Many thanks for the great time in Firenze!!! Jeana's first reaction to the apartment was "Why do they ever leave?" We really enjoyed the location, the lovely apartment, the ceiling, the space, the kitchen - we cooked in most nights, and the separate bedrooms!!!! The dumpsters helped us find the place - and we didn't mind having them near the door. We loved all your notes and found them helpful. Went to Tirovino the last night and wished we had gone sooner so we could have gone twice. Lovely people and we thought the menu was interesting and varied. Our friends in Firenze were interested to see that I was reading The Leopard and we had a long chat about it and the movie which I had just seen before leaving Boston. We devoured the Uffizi book - Jeana spent lots of time with the Botticellis. As for the cell phone- I would guess that a translation of the instructions into English with the express direction to turn off the cell after you put euros on it would be enough to help folks. A friend of mine with whom I travel often was thrilled to know how great the apartment is and we will undoubtedly be checking in with you about renting it. Thanks for all the t.l.c. with the heat - we appreciated the personal touch. Donald was great. Everything was great....Ciao, Kris

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/23/04 Review Submitted: 08/22/04

Dear Gilda, Just wanted you to know we had a wonderful time staying in your apt. All went very well. The weather was wonderful. It was hot but it really wasn't bad with the fans. We never turned the air on. We loved being part of the neighborhood. I loved the market. Great produce and the inside market was fabulous! Used the bakery on the corner everyday for breakfast. The corner grocery store we took advantage of also. The owner became somewhat of a friend. His prices were better and better with every visit. He even gave me a lb of prosciuto for free by the end of the week! We didn't get to try the coffee around the corner-they were on vacation. We did try some of the restaurants in the neighborhood you recommended and all were great. Again thank-you for all your concerns. I only hope we get to visit again someday. My daughter is already planning her return at Christmas break. She says she is taking another course during semester break. Her host mom invited her back to live with them! Well see. Regards, Pamela and the family

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Judy and Bob Bedal (Florence, Italy)
Date of Stay: 06/01/04 Review Submitted: 06/23/04

Dear Gilda, Thank you so much for your generous hospitality in allowing us to stay in your beautiful home in Florence. Your apartment is so lovely and had everything one could possibly need. We thorougly enjoyed our stay. We loved wandering the neighborhood streets and making new discoveries each day. Donald was so helpful and upon our arrival, he welcomed us with a nice bottle of wine, fresh fruit and a lovely vase of sunflowers. He also made arrangements for a taxi to take us to the airport for our departure. You are fortunate to have him looking after your home in your absence. Again, thank you and I hope you are able to make a trip soon.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 05/17/04 Review Submitted: 05/16/04

Dear Gilda and Fulvio, Our grateful thanks to you for a wonderful stay at your lovely apartment. Everything was perfect for us and we appreciated your preparations in anticipation of our arrival. Firenze is indeed a treasure. We especially enjoyed walking the neighborhood...everyone so happy and pleasant. Every day our walks offered new discoveries. A special highlight was an evening concert at Teatro Verdi. Again, many thanks to you both. Our return to Italy after an absence of almost two years was just what we needed to reaffirm our love for this beautiful country. We were indeed fortunate to be among the many who will surely enjoy the Carbonaro hospitality! Williamsburg, Virginia

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Guest: Laura and Bob Lee (Houston, Texas)
Date of Stay: 04/14/04 Review Submitted: 04/14/04

On a recent one week stay in Florence, the apt. at 52 Via Ghibellina proved an ideal spot from which to enjoy the city. The apartment is lovely and spacious with high frescoed ceilings, and plenty of windows which provide ample cross ventilation. It is very tastefully decorated and very comfortable, including the beds. Both bathrooms have good showers and plenty of hot water and the kitchen is modern and well equipped.On a rainy day, you would certainly not mind having to stay home.But since it is so centrally located, it’s convenient for half day or full day of walking itineraries, or just a brief stroll within the central historic district. Santa Croce, the Bargello, Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and many other sights are within a five to ten minute walk. Just a few blocks away is one of the finest indoor/ outdoor food markets (Mercato San Ambrogio) and possibly the best cappuccino (Café Cibreo) and gelato (Vivoli) in all of Florence. On a more mundane note, the post office, ATM, supermarket (Standa), internet café (La Chat) and same day laundry are also within easy walking distance.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 04/05/04 Review Submitted: 04/04/04

We had a dream honeymoon at Via Ghibellina. The owners were so thoughtful, thinking of every detail like flowers and champagne! This is an elegant apartment, really roomy, and tastefully furnished. Too bad we didn't do much cooking, because the kitchen is well stocked. But we took advantage of the myriad restaurants in the area to explore. We're sure to be back for our anniversary!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Laura and Bob Lee (Houston, Texas)
Date of Stay: 04/01/04 Review Submitted: 04/13/04

On a recent one week stay in Florence, the apt. at 52 Via Ghibellina proved an ideal spot from which to enjoy the city. The apartment is lovely and spacious with high frescoed ceilings, and plenty of windows which provide ample cross ventilation. It is very tastefully decorated and very comfortable, including the beds. Both bathrooms have good showers and plenty of hot water and the kitchen is modern and well equipped. On a rainy day, you would certainly not mind having to stay home. But since it is so centrally located, it’s convenient for half day or full day of walking itineraries, or just a brief stroll within the central historic district. Santa Croce, the Bargello, Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and many other sights are within a five to ten minute walk. Just a few blocks away is one of the finest indoor/ outdoor food markets (Mercato San Ambrogio) and possibly the best cappuccino (Café Cibreo) and gelato (Vivoli) in all of Florence. On a more mundane note, the post office, ATM, supermarket (Standa), internet café (La Chat) and same day laundry are also within easy walking distance.

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