Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great Location!

Guest: rck (New Orleans, LA)
Date of Stay: 05/30/11 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

This apartment is in an excellent location. Easy walk to train and bus stations, great restaurants and all major tourist spots were close by. This apartment, a 4 floor walk up, is manageable. The apartment was clean and the housekeeper Nilan greeted us and was very nice. He was able to help us with any questions we had. Sofas were white so unfortunately looked worn and in need of refurbishing. Where we stayed was a two room apartment that slept four. The airconditoning unit was located in the tiny foyer area and just didn't cool off both rooms adequately enough for us. Nilan was helpful in bringing us a fan but it really didn't cool off enough in the den area. Also, internet service kept going in and out. For the price, it was a good deal.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

San Lorenzo apartment in heart of Florence

Guest: Nikki (Virginia, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/27/11 Review Submitted: 05/31/11

This charming apartment is in an excellent location. Easy walk to train and bus stations, great restaurants and all major tourist spots. Highly recommend Acqua del 2 restaurant. Recommend express bus to and from airport. This apartment, a 4 floor walk up, is manageable. Clean and comfortable. Well equipped for cooking meals. A bathroom light is permanently on, if complete darknes is desired this could be problematic. Sofas worn but clean, in need of refurbishing. No views from apartment windows. Nilan, housekeeper, was helpful and available to assist with carrying luggage, groceries or recommend local restaurants,grocers, stores, etc.. Also he was a great resource for travel tips to regional towns. Would recommend this apartment to friends. If a view is desired request a different flat in the building.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Close to everything!

Guest: Scouty (Toronto, Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 05/27/10

Our San Lorenzo apartments centrally located within the leather market were within steps of a variety of restaurants, cafes and shops right across from the must-see Medici chapel (stay in the Leonardo or Giotto suite if you're a light sleeper--the market starts early!). Riccardo, the owner, was very helpful in steering us to some good restaurants in the area, including Reginello's downstairs (the waiters are funny and charming). Nalin the building caretaker was always around to help with any questions or concerns about the accommodations or giving directions (sweet guy). A total of nine family and friends rented three of the apartments, which were comfortable and clean (maybe one or two dustbunnies under the beds ;-), and really you couldn't ask for a better location--all the major sightseeing attractions were within a 5 to 15 minutes walk, including the train station). Overall we were very pleased with our stay at the San Lorenzo apartments which we thought were very good value for the money. Reccommendations: Massimo Leather - Via Borgo La Noce just off the leather market (same day alterations); Borco Antica restaurant in the San Spirito square for great food and atmosphere; The Diner (same block as the Bargello museum) for North American style bacon, eggs and pancakes!

Owner response:It is always a pleasure to host nice people like Tracy's group. Next time I will host them in Raffaello apartment, the one with top technology glasses at the windows, where noise is not a problem at all !!

Recommended for:Girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Great apartment

Guest: kottawa (Ottawa, Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/29/10 Review Submitted: 06/08/10

I shared this apartment with 2 friends when we visited Florence and it was fantastic! The location was great-close to the train station and the duomo as well as the central market and all the outdoor market stalls. The apartment itself was nicely decorated and spacious and Nalid the housekeeper was very helpful. We were on the third floor so it was a bit of a hike to get there after a long day of walking but that was the only drawback. I would rent the apartment again if I return to Florence (I hope) and would highly recommend it.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Una Bella Vacanza

Guest: Kathy16 (Danville, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/01/10 Review Submitted: 06/09/10

We had a wonderful time exploring Florence from Riccardo's lovely apartment. It was perfect for us. The apartment was centrally located to the Duomo, Uffizi, Mercato Centrale, and Medici Chapels. It was also close to the train station and airport. Everything was in walking distance, no need for a rental car. The apartment was spacious, clean and had everything we needed during our stay. We were extremely comfortable the entire week we stayed! Our favorite restaurant was Golden View overlooking the Arno River. Thank you Riccardo for sharing your apartment with us! Ciao

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

Guest: RM
Date of Stay: 09/10/09 Review Submitted: 09/09/09

Dear Riccardo, We enjoyed our stay at your Cimabue apartment Aug 11-14, 2009. Your directions were very precise and we located the place easily. The apartment was comfortable and convenient to everything. Sebastiano was helpful and made the checking in/out process very easy. We particularly appreciated the advanced shopping service. After a long day of travel, arriving in the night to find chilled water and a lovely bottle of Chianti was wonderful. Thank you. We would like to stay at your place again when we next visit Florence. Thanks again for providing a great place in Florence.

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Guest: Jody
Date of Stay: 06/05/09 Review Submitted: 06/04/09

Dear Riccardo.. I would just like to thank you for your wonderful hospitality. Your apartment was lovely and in such a prefect location...Florence is truly a beautiful place, we will be back, next time for a much longer stay.. Again thank you, Jody

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Guest: Liz Parks
Date of Stay: 05/17/09 Review Submitted: 05/16/09

Hi RiccardoI’m not able to add comments to the VRBO website, so I’m sending them to you.The location of this building is PERFECT, it is close to everything. We stayed there for 3 weeks and walked everywhere, you are close to the market, restaurants and grocery stores. Riccardo the owner is very kind and wants to make sure that you are well taken care of and the manager at the apartments is great. The apartment was clean and ready for us when we arrived, Sebastian the manager was there to welcome us, and throughout our stay the apartment was taken care of and if we needed anything Sebastian was always available and upon our departure which was very early in the morning, the manager called for a taxi for us the night before, we were well taken care of.All the bestLiz

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Guest: Pamela Peterson (Canberra Australia)
Date of Stay: 11/14/08 Review Submitted: 11/14/08

We had four wonderful days staying in Raffaello in September. We were a family of four adults, one couple using the sofa bed. It worked very well, the only thing we missed was a kettle to boil the water for tea. We overlooked the San Lorenzo markets and the Medici Chapel. The apartment was very close to everything, all walking distance, the Uffizi, the Duomo, the Arno,the train station, the supermarket, the laundromat. Thank you most enjoyable, a very pleasant place to stay.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/04/08 Review Submitted: 11/04/08

I recently stayed in the "Raffaello" apartment and what a wonderful place it was. Great location with good restaurants just out the door, NO NOISE from the streets, great a/c, good shower and the king sized bed was a real treat after a week in a single bed. Sebastian the live in caretaker was a great help and all in all a good experience. Can't recommend it too highly.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/30/08 Review Submitted: 05/30/08

Dear Riccardo, I meant to write sooner to thank you for the 3-week stay we had in Florence. The Duccio in the VIP Florence apartments was very comfortable and central to everything. We walked almost everywhere in town without any strain, and it was nice to be able to return to the apartment in the middle of the day to rest before going out again. Both the bed and the sofa bed were very comfortable and there was lots of hot water and good heat and air conditioning. We took buses and trains (and a hired car one day) to Lucca, Sienna, Pisa, Livorno, San Gimignano, Volterra, Cortona and Fiesole. We spent a wonderful wine tasting and cooking class day in the Rufino district with Accidental Tourist. I took over 1200 photos in 3 weeks. One of my best photos is from the unfinished wall of the cathedral in Sienna across Il Campo towards the mountains to the east. Sienna is a beautiful city. We visited at least 3 Etruscan museums in addition to Roman, medieval, Renaissance and later art and artifacts in so many museums and churches. The Etruscans were amazing. We came principally to see the birthplace of the Renaissance, but we saw a lot more. Your culture has so may rich layers. And we had lots of great food and wine, of course. All three of us had a wonderful time, and we learned so much. Thank you for being our gracious host and for helping set up museum reservations. The housekeeper Dennis was very helpful. Ciao, George

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Guest: Kerinia (Alexandria, VA)
Date of Stay: 05/02/08 Review Submitted: 05/02/08

As in real estate, the key to an apartment rental in a city like Florence is "location, location, location". The location on this apartment is superb - 2 blocks from the Duomo, about a 10 minute walk to the Uffizi and Ponte Vechio, a 3 min walk to the train station, right across the street from the Medici Chapel (with the fabulous Michelangelo sculptures!), and a fun market right downstairs. My two sisters and I stayed in the Leonardo which was very comfortable for 3. The two beds/couches in the living room worked great for us. A little firm by American standards, but typical for Europe. Riccardo (in Rome) and Dennis (downstairs), did an excellent job of taking care of us - any question/comment/issue that we had they took care of immediately. When I found that I had left one of my favorite gold rings in the apartment, Riccardo personally retrieved it and mailed it to me. Fabulous service!

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Guest: Karolina1 (-)
Date of Stay: 04/24/08 Review Submitted: 04/23/08

We spent a few days in Cimabue Apt and it was a very nice experience. Excellent facilities and great location. Two things I could complain - a lack of available parking spots near a house so we had to park over 1km from the house and there should be an additional air-conditioner in the living room. The one in the hall is not enough for Italian summer temperatures. Anyways, if I have possibility to go to Florence again I would definitely stay at Cimabue Apt.

Owner response:In central Florence only parking available are paying parking. Free parking is impossible, also because the Cimabue apartment is in a no-traffic zone.

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Guest: Tony Balay
Date of Stay: 04/23/08 Review Submitted: 04/22/08

We had an incredible time and truly enjoyed our stay in your apartments. Everything was perfect and I will be returning in the fall with some more business associates. Thanks, Tony Balay President, Balay Builders Inc.

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Guest: E Lee (Toronto Ontario)
Date of Stay: 10/11/07 Review Submitted: 10/11/07

The Rafaello apt was bright and clean with windows overlooking the San Lorenzo mkt. The vendors set up early but was worth it for the ambiance and location. The central mkt, grocery store and laundromat are all within 5 min walking. I would definitely stay there again.

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