Vacation Rentals by Owner

Wonderful week in Florence and Borgo Pinti

Guest: AGR (United States)
Date of Stay: 04/16/12 Review Submitted: 05/05/12

Our family of 4 enjoyed a wonderful time at Claudia's beautiful and very well located apartment. We were very comfortable as this apartment has all the amenities and Claudia makes you feel at home. The strawberries and home made olive oil were a great welcome. The decoration and style of the apartment are very nice and cozy. We were able to walk all over Florence from the apartment. The bar Tabbachi across the street serves a wonderful capuchino and the restaurant next door is also quite good. I would very much recommend Claudia's Borgo Pinti apartment for your visit to Florence.

Owner response:Thank you Andres very much for your help and your wonderful review. I hope to meet you and your beautiful family soon once more. Fondly Claudia

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

Fantastic!

Guest: Fiona (Rhode Island, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/15/12 Review Submitted: 05/02/12

We had the pleasure of staying at 41 Borgo Pinti for 6 days. We were a party of 4 and the apartment was very comfortable and well equipped, plenty of room. We were visiting Florence as our daughter was there studying for a semester. The location was superb, close to everything but a lovely quiet street with 2 fabulous restaurants, the Accadi just opposite for a casual meal at a local trattoria and La Giostra where I think I had one of the best meals ever. The bakery on the street also deserves a mention for it's yummy enormous sandwiches, pastries, bread and biscotti. We also enjoyed shopping at the markets and Billa and cooking at the apartment, the kitchen is very well stocked. We spent our days walking the streets of Florence, there was so much to see and we certainly didn't get to everything, the whole city is a museum! Advance tickets to the Ufizi and Academia are a must and I appreciated previous recommendations to do just that. Our 2 young adult sons did take the fast train to Rome for the day, 90 minutes each way, not bad for about 170 miles. A big thank you to Claudia who was very helpful in our preparations to visit, in arranging transportation to and from Pisa (definitely worth it) as well as ensuring the kitchen was stocked with some basics on arrival. Also she made the effort to come and meet us even though she was not in Florence that week. The only negative was we couldn't stay for longer! We hope to be back!

Owner response:Thank you Fiona, for your wonderful review. I was so happy to meet you and your family and I hope you will come back again soon. Love Claudia

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

Superb!

Guest: The Camporini's (Ridgewood NJ/USA)
Date of Stay: 04/08/12 Review Submitted: 04/30/12

Borgo Pinti was the ideal choice for our family's recent vacation to Florence. The convenient location [walking distance to everything; sights, restaurants, shopping] and comforts of home . . . away from home make this a must over a hotel stay! The photos are a true representation of the accommodations; the apartment is clean and obviously well maintained. Claudia was very helpful throughout the entire process and eager to insure a happy visit to Firenze. Grazie!

Owner response:Thank you Julie. I wish you all the best. Warmest regards Claudia

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

Pinti 2

Guest: nancy (Glen Ellyn, Il)
Date of Stay: 03/14/12 Review Submitted: 04/02/12

Borgo Pinti 2 is just like the picutures and it easily accommodated 6 people. We are sisters each with a young adult daughter and son--the boys slept in the loft and it worked well for them--but it is all open to the living room. 1 full bath and small powder room worked for us as there is a hair dryer in both baths and girls can also plug in straighteners, etc. Claudia provides some adapters but defenitely bring your own and converters. The wi-fi was an absolutel bonus. Claudia also stocked the kitchen for our arrival with fruit, milk, water, coffee, and her home-made olive oil--this was wonderful especially for breakfast the next day. (There is a small washing machine in the kitchen so you can do some of your laundry,though it must hang on drying racks.) There are parquet floors throughout with beautiful antiques, paintings & italian touches. We were able to sit out on the little balcony and all the windows open. It is light-filled.. We asked Claudia to arrange a cooking class for us --and she set us up with chef mimmo in Panzano. We took an hour bus ride through beautiful country (bus station is next to train station and buses leave every hour on the half-hour for panzano). Mimmo's restaurant is just across from the bus stop and it is bustling at lunch time. There were 7 of us and we learned about the history of italian cooking and well as how to prepare a full meal. Class was more of a cooking demonstration though we did turn out the pasta. It was an excellent class,and mimmo is an historian as well as a baker. Sous chef angelo showed us how to make the dessert and he was a sweetheartas was mimmo's wife. Claudia was able to meet us there, she is a beautiful woman so that was fun. What we prepared we ate for lunch and it was one of the best meals we had in Italy. Mimmo served us wine as we were eating our pizza appetizer and we bought wine for lunch and to take home. Everyone loved the class, even the young men. I would do this again and would definitely eat at Eusteca Zaldi when in the chianti region. Borgo Pinti is a quiet street & there are 2 fabulous restaurants on your block. About 5 minutes away is an american bar --we were there during the NCAA so this was a boon. You are a 10 minute walk from the duomo & the main republica & we walked everywhere. There are 53 steps to our floor but after we got our luggage up--it's a breeze. Would stay here again. Claudia is very business-like but a doll.

Owner response:Thank you Nancy for your complete and wonderful review. It is always very useful to have my guests' comments. I know now that I can always suggest Mimmo's day cooking class, at the Enoteca Baldi. It is not my business, but I am always happy if I can help my guests. Fondly Claudia

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

Exceeded Expectations!!!

Guest: MARIA (ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA)
Date of Stay: 10/19/11 Review Submitted: 11/04/11

This was our first trip to Florence with our two kids (11&9). Prior to our trip, my husband and I spent a lot of time searching for an apartment that would meet our needs: central location, kid friendly and extra amenities! This apartment definitely exceeded our expectations!!! We felt right at home!! In addition, Claudia was a perfect hostess from beginning to end!! Even her e-mails exuded warmth and kindness! She was very punctual and extremely helpful with all our questions and inquiries. We had arrived around 7:30 pm from a long flight and the kids were hungry and tired so Claudia recommended Acadi, a restaurant directly across the street from the apartment. It was a perfect place to have our first italian meal. The best surprise was the amazing grapes and home made olive oil that was a welcome token from Claudia!! This was by far one of the most memorable vacations we've had! We all loved coming home to the apartment after a long day of sightseeing. Claudia had some wonderful restaurant recommendations but if there was one that stood out for us, it would definitely be Il Latini!! Great Service, Fun Atmosphere, Good Food and the best panna cotta!! As for the gelaterias, my kids rated Festival as their number one pick because of the selection and my husband and I love "Grom" for their Pistachio! As for the museums, we opted to get the 'Friends of Firenze" annual pass for a family of four! It was the best value! If you can, take a cooking class in Panzano with Chef Mimmo!! He's just the best! I just want to say thank you so much Claudia for making our trip memorable!! We will definitely recommend you to all our friends and we will make sure to come back and visit again!!! Elsoms Encinitas, California

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Florence Apartment

Guest: Liz and Perry (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 09/20/11 Review Submitted: 11/06/11

This apartment was lovely -- well located, well equipped, quiet, and very comfortable. We would definitely stay there again. The owner is lovely, helpful, and personable. We were delighted to find the apartment and to meet the owner. You will not be disappointed. The apartment is a 5 minute walk from the Duomo and en easy distance to everything in Florence. There are grocery and bakeries near by. There are also an abundance of good restaurants within a short walk. The apartment is up a few flights and there isn't an elevator but that was not a problem at all for us or for the guests in the second apartment. It's definitely worth the very minor inconvenience -- one we didn't notice after the first walk up!

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

WONDERFUL!

Guest: none (Eldersburg, Maryland)
Date of Stay: 09/13/11 Review Submitted: 10/29/11

Dear Claudia, Our stay in your lovely apartment made our visit to Florence a wonderful experience. The accomodations were the best we have stayed at using a VRBO! Marta greeted us with a wonderful smile even though we got lost and arrived later that we expected. Thank you, Marta! Claudia, your hospitality was beyond our expectations. The only thing that we missed was being able to meet you in person! Fondly, Michelle

Recommended for:Sightseeing

Both apartments for a big group of 11 people

Guest: Bill
Date of Stay: 07/31/11 Review Submitted: 08/10/11

Hi Claudia, I wanted to write a note about our experience at your lovely 2 apartments in the great city of Florence. During our visit, we had stopped in 3 different points of Italy. Florence, Rome, and Positano. At each City, we had rented 2 apartments and by far the accommodations were the finest at your Pinti 1 & 2. It started before we even arrived in Italy, that you were there for all our questions and gave us wonderful advise. When we arrived, we were greeted by your helpful staff and surprised with some essentials that were left for us. ( milk, water, fruit, coffee and of best of all the homemade olive oil ). The biggest difference which was evident was how well appointed each apartment was. You had completely updated bathrooms, comfortable beds and furniture, ample linens and towels and just a home like feel. When we come back to Florence, we definitely know where to stay. Thanks you for your wonderful hospitality. Bill

Recommended for:

Wonderful!

Guest: Amy (Lake Oswego, OR)
Date of Stay: 07/06/11 Review Submitted: 07/25/11

We recently spent a week in this apartment and loved every minute of it! The home is spotlessly clean, so close to major sites, many good restaurants, the Sant' Ambrogio market...we walked everywhere. There were four of us, so we really appreciated the space and the two bathrooms! Claudia has thought of every single detail, which really makes this apartment feel so comfortable and like home. We just cannot say enough what a wonderful refuge this apartment is from the heat and busy streets of Florence. A very welcome touch was finding juice, milk, water, fruit and coffee waiting for us. Claudia's attention to detail makes this our favorite rental, maybe of all time! Claudia even called the cab company for us, to make sure we would have a ride to the airport in the wee hours of the morning. Thank you, Claudia, for such a wonderful stay in a beautiful city! We hope to return someday! Grazie mille! Amy, Greg, Hallie, and Emilie

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

Home away from Home

Guest: Michelle (Indianapolis, IN)
Date of Stay: 07/03/11 Review Submitted: 07/19/11

We loved our Home away from Home on Borgo Pinti. Claudia is a very attentive owner, with many extra touches that made for a very enjoyable stay. She checked in on us and left us a cell phone to use while in Florence, such a nice touch. The location is fantastic, we walked everywhere. The apartment itself was very clean and the photos do a good job of capturing the feel of the apartment. It is nice and airy with high ceilings. The kitchen is well stocked, we cooked in one night and were pleasantly surprised to see when we checked the refrigerator that we had milk, juice and sparkling water for our use. Also a huge bowl of delicious nectarines on the kitchen table. My teenage daughters loved the bedroom, sitting area and their own bathroom upstairs. This apartment was our favorite on our Italian vacation. Thanks so much for such a lovely time Claudia! We highly recommend her beautiful apartment.

Owner response:thank you Michelle, for your beautiful review. I hope you will be back once again and I wish you a wonderful summer. Fondly Claudia

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

92298

Guest: Cyndee (Carlsbad, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 07/23/11

My family recently returned home from a wonderful trip to Italy. The apartment was beautifully decorated and very clean. Instead of feeling like we were in a rental unit, we felt like we were staying at a friends home. There was even a big basket of fresh fruit on the kitchen table for our enjoyment and the refrigerator was filled with water, soda, milk, and juice. There was coffee and fresh made olive oil ( which we used one evening when we decided to stay in and cook). It was completely quiet and we walked to every attraction in the city, never once taking a taxi. The location was perfect. The owner Claudia was so helpful even before we arrived with information and making dinner reservations for our first evening in town. Claudia even took the train from her home to come to Florence and meet us. We had coffee, and great conversation, and now we have a wonderful new friend in her. I can't think of a single reason not to stay at this apartment, and even though there is no elevator, the stairs are easily navigated, wide enough to carry luggage up and down too (although Martina and her daughter carried all of it and would not let us assist them). Claudia helped with information about restaurants, train schedules, and everything we could think to ask about. Our stay here was delightful and we hope to one day return and meet with our lovely new friend Claudia again. Thank you Claudia for our little slice of heaven in Florence! Love from San Diego, California, Cyndee, Rankin, and, Devin McDaniel

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

Delightful, comfortable, and wonderfully located

Guest: Boston Mom (Boston area)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11 Review Submitted: 07/19/11

Our family of four (two adults and two teenagers) spent a wonderful week in this lovely apartment. The well-equipped kitchen allowed us to take full advantage of the beautiful food market located just a few blocks away. We were walking distance from everything we wanted to see or do in Florence. And the air conditioning was a godsend in the steamy summer weather! Claudia was a wonderful resource; we were delighted to find a bowl of fresh fruit and a fridge stocked with cold drinks when we arrived. Couldn't have been nicer. And we had one of the best meals of our lives at Aquacotta, right around the corner.

Owner response:Dear Laurie, thank you very much for taking the time and write such a beautiful review. I really appreciate it and it will be very useful to me and to my guests. Thank you again Claudia

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Live history and Art

Guest: Mikhail (Wheeling, IL)
Date of Stay: 06/15/11 Review Submitted: 07/06/11

Perfect location, nice owner, beautiful place, friendly people and....... Thanks God and Claudia for wonderful week we spent in Florence- heart of live history and art. It's hard to describe and hard to forget: Giotto and Ghirlandaio, Brunelleschi and Donatello, Leonardo and Botticelli and more and more and more- So many geniuses in one place, You have to be proud of your history and your nation because You created and saved it for us. Bravo!Bravo! Bravo!

Owner response:Dear Mikhail, thank you for your beautiful review. It is always very helpful for me and for my future guests. I want to thank you also again for your gift. i really appreciate to listen to you playing your guitar like an orchestra, and your wonderful and sweet music. I hope we can meet eachother once again and best wishes to you all. Claudia

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

Great location -- a real gem!

Guest: Pandora N. (Los Osos, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/14/11 Review Submitted: 09/01/11

We rented this apartment for one month, and with one exception, it was wonderful! I had never been to Italy before and based my decision on traveler’s reviews and the description on VRBO. What we found was exactly what was described – a real gem. The apartment was spotless; the VRBO photos accurately depict the apartment’s charm and details. It is nicely furnished, complete with tour books and maps. The owner, Claudia Morace, is extraordinarily gracious, very helpful and a delight to met. She has taken great care and pride to provide her guests with a wonderful home while they are in Florence. When I arrived, I had just spent a week at a cooking school in Figline Valdarno and wanted to practice my new skills and recipes. Claudia even provided extra items for the kitchen for us, which was very nice. She told me about the nearby fresh market, an easy walk from the apartment. Going to the market became a daily ritual. We’d decide what was for dinner each day based upon what looked great at the market. Once we got our bearings, we realized the apartment’s location was perfect. It was an easy walk to Santa Croce, the Arno, Duomo, Uffizi, Pitti Palace, etc; the choices of restaurants were fabulous, one directly across the street. The shopping opportunities, from specialty stores to the San Lorenzo market were abundant and nearby. The bus stop to take day trips to places like Fiesole is just a few blocks away. The train station is a bit farther, but an easy walk. We used the apartment as our home base to explore Tuscany. The trains are wonderful and made it easy to take day trips to Lucca, Siena, Pisa, etc, and longer trips to Venice and the Cinque Terre. The only negative were the unexpected extra costs for housekeeping. In all fairness to Claudia, part of our difficulty may have been our language difficulty with the housekeeper. I would definitely stay at the apartment again, I’d love to spend more time with Claudia, she’s great! However I will clarify how much we must use the housekeeper vs. what we can do for ourselves. As an aside, if you plan on going to Venice, add an extra day and go to the islands of Murano and Burano. Burano was the biggest surprise on my nearly two months in Italy, the colors are unbelievable – a photographer’s paradise!

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

Lovely apartment in a great location at the heart of Florence

Guest: JeremyJ (Los Angeles, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 04/25/11 Review Submitted: 05/18/11

I would highly recommend staying at this apartment, it is on the top floor of a 4 story walk up, being on the top floor has it's advantages, no one above you, and there is a skylight that let's in amazing light. When you walk in the front door, you are greeted with a nice hat and coat area, then the dining and kitchen area which flows into the 2 story living room that has a large loft area, there are 2 bathrooms, one upstairs and one on the main level. The apartment is decorated and furnished as if it was your own home, very warm and affectionate. My wife and I stayed with our 18 month old daughter for 10 days. The apartment was meticulously cleaned and it feels like it has been remodeled recently. It has all of the amenities that you could want, a fully stocked kitchen, with enough accouterments to entertain. The main bathroom downstairs, is beautifully tiled with a small shower and a good sized powder area/sink (it also has a clothes washer, which for longer stays was helpful). I don't think the pictures gives you a proper sense of how much space you actually have, the ceilings are quite high, and above the living area they go up 2 stories to give you the feeling of space and tranquility. The upstairs has a small office vestibule and a completely enclosed bedroom with a small galley bathroom with shower in the bedroom. Claudia the owner was very easy to work with as she is very accommodating and helpful in answering any questions about the apartment and also about the area. One could tell that she takes a great deal of pride in offering her guests a 1st class experience, prior to arrival I communicated mostly via email, but she is easily reached via mobile phone as well. The location is great, 5 minutes walk to the Duomo, which is the center of Old Firenze, with many of the streets pedestrian only, But you are off of the really busy streets enough to feel like when you get "home" you can rest in the peaceful atmosphere of the apartment. I would Definitely stay here again, and would recommend to family and friends. Also, Claudia has a larger apartment right next door, that I was able to view during one of the tenant changes that is as beautiful as this one. Last note, the walls are thick, I never even heard the neighbors. Enjoy! Ciao, from the US

Owner response:Dear Jeremy, yhank you very much for spending your time and writing such a complete and beautiful review I really appreciate it. I only want to clarify that the apartment is not on a fourth floor, but on a second one (European). The building has a ground floor with its entrance and then only two floors, each with 4 apartments. As it is a 1400 old building, the apartments seem to be on a third floor I hope you can be our guests once more in the future. Take care of you and of your beautiful family. Best regards Claudia.

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

BEST VRBO EVER !

Guest: Jackie (Buffalo,New York)
Date of Stay: 03/27/11 Review Submitted: 04/19/11

Every review of this property is accurate-but still doesn't convey just how wonderful this home is. We've stayed in eight VRBO properties over the last several years (all great experiences.) Still,Borgo Pinti has surpassed them all ! I believe this is due to Claudia. She is just a very special person.Everything written about her is also true ! We (my husband,13 yr old daughter and I) stayed for 12 nights.Upon arrival, we took a taxi from the airport to the apartment-25 euros.Claudia met us at the door.(I hate to say apartment, as Borgo Pinti is really a 2 bed/2 bath house on the top floor of a wonderful building!) It's a great location,we walked everywhere.We only used public transport twice-the train to Pisa and Lucca and the bus to Greve in Chianti.The train station is an easy walk for day trips,probably a little harder with suitcases(cobblestone streets and lots of people.) At Borgo Pinti 16 you'll find a lovely bakery.They also make great(big) sandwiches! You'll find Billa supermarket close by at via Pietrapiana 4 .Our favorite walk was to the river crossing at Ponte alle Grazie up to the Bardini Gardens.It's beautiful and serene,we were lucky to be there when many trees were just blossoming and bulbs were flowering! This is also the way to San Miniato al Monte,another serene vantage point.Time your visit for 5:30 to hear the monks chant.To my daughter's delight...the author of Pinocchio is buried here! We made this climb many times,always worth it! I preferred it to the Piazzale Michelangelo,it's just a little farther up.Something I just LOVED -there are many great guides to Florence (and Italy) in the bookshelf,you really don't need to cart yours in your luggage! There are two editions of "The Food Lovers Guide to Florence."I prefer the first edition.Most restaurants were still at the locations stated. If you have any thoughts about visiting the Uffizi and Accademia more than once during your stay,you should contemplate becoming a member of the Amici degli Uffizi.A family membership is 100 euros and provides you with the opportunity to enter many state run museums again and again via shorter lines.It's not possible to pay with a credit card online,so we just got to the Uffizi Tuesday morning at 10AM and signed up in person.We got our $$ worth! I'm so thankful we were able to show our daughter the art and architecture of this amazing city at a leisurely pace.Thank you, Claudia for your part in making this dream vacation a reality! With love, Jackie

Owner response:Dear Jackie, thank you so much for writing so wonderful words about me and about the apartment. It was such a wonderful experience to meet you, your husband and your nice daughter. It is the best part of my small business the opportunity to meet people like you. I wish I could meet you all again in the next future. God bless you and your family. Have a happy and peaceful Easter Love Claudia

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

The perfect place to stay in Florence!

Guest: Pescha P. (Atlanta, GA USA)
Date of Stay: 02/26/11 Review Submitted: 03/14/11

This was the perfect place for us to begin our Italian vacation! We spent four nights in this beautiful and comfortable apartment which really felt like our "home away from home." Claudia has really thought of everything to make her home a special place for visitors to Florence. The apartment is centrally located and we walked to all the major sights. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and will definitely stay here again next time!

Owner response:Dear Elliott, dear Pescha thank you very much for taking the time to write a review. I wish we could have the opportunity to meet once again and I wish your beautiful family happiness and health, Best regards Claudia

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

A gem in the heart of Florence

Guest: Jack and Beth (Georgetown, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/08/10 Review Submitted: 10/01/10

Pinti 1 is a 2 bedroom gem in the heart of Florence. It was perfectly adequate for the 4 of us, (2 couples in our 60's), clean, well stocked, and easy walking distance to virtually everthing . We walked to it from the train station. passing the Basilica on the way, and walked to both the Uffizzi and Accademie. Wonderful restaurants of all levels were nearby, as was shopping and the open markets. (The one right across the street, I measured the distance, it's 12 steps from the front door, serves the finest home-made Gnocchi with Rose sauce in the entire world!) . Claudia met us and was extremely gracious and helpful. It is exactly as pictured and advertised. When, (not "if"), we return to Florence we will stay there again. Thanks again Claudia for your warm hospitality.

Owner response:Thank you Jack, thank you Beth, it was really a pleasure to meet you. Thank you also for this beautiful review. My wish is to make my guests' stay comfortable, enjoyable, perfect (if possible) To the next time!! All the best Claudia

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

For A vacation You'll Treasure Forever . . .

Guest: Jeffrey G. (Westbury, NY, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 09/06/10

Back in April, I was in the position you're in now: trying to figure out where to stay in Florence. All my vacations prior to this one had been hotel-driven, so that was certainly my first instinct. But because I'd be staying in Florence for a while, I decided to check out apartments. From the moment I saw this listing and began contact with Claudia, I knew this was the place for me. It just felt right. Yes, I was nervous booking online and making this kind of commitment, but Claudia's openness and kindness sealed the deal. Her personality alone would have made this the perfect place to stay. But Claudia is not the only thing that makes a stay at Borgo Pinti fantastic. The location is ideal - easy walks to every single place in this lovely city, a city that you want to walk in every single day. The apartment itself is comfortable and beautifully furnished. Claudia has thought of everything, from a well-stocked pantry to internet to a/c. It was easy to feel at home here. But the very best thing about the apartment is that it allowed me to be in Florence as a resident rather than as a tourist. Most travelers pay lip service to that idea: if only I could really experience the place rather than simply tour in it. This apartment is ideal for that style of vacation. It's nice, in the middle of a long day of sightseeing or shopping or whatever, to be able to come to your own place in the afternoon and have some private down time to read, fix a snack, take a nap, check email - things that are done with much greater comfort in an apartment than in a hotel. It's nice, after a few days, to realize that you're living in a neighborhood, that you know the shopkeepers and the waitresses and the tenants of the other apartments in the building, that you have become part of a community and have been able to see a place from the inside rather than from the outside. And it's nice that every concern you might have, every need that might arise, can be quickly addressed by Claudia - keeping in mind that it's more likely that she has anticipated everything and taken care of it before your arrival. I'm amazed at how much a part of my stay in Florence this apartment became. When I was leaving, I took out my camera and snapped a few pictures so I could always remember how wonderful this place was. And when I realized that I don't think I had ever taken a picture of a hotel room, I knew how perfect my decision to rent this apartment had been. I cannot wait to go back!

Owner response:Dear Jeff, thank you for your kind and wonderful review. It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope to meet you again and I hope to have a new friend and to be a friend for you. Hugs Claudia

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

Dave Horstick and family

Guest: David (Pewaukee, WI,USA)
Date of Stay: 06/14/10 Review Submitted: 09/13/10

Burgo Pinti is spectacular and the benchmark few will be able to achieve. The location is very close to the Duomo and the Uffizi There is a delightful butcher shop out the door and to the right. It was as comfortable as home. It offered all the comfort of a five star hotel with a washing machine. To be in Italy and making your own meals is insane; however it was an easy place for a snack or an early morning pot of coffee. The best part of Burgo Pinti is planning a return. Claudia was responsive to our calls and needs. Her thoughts on rail put my wife and I on the train to Milan and on to Zurich. Ciao David

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

Wonderful apartment in central Florence

Guest: Gars (Manzanita, OR, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/21/10 Review Submitted: 06/10/10

Borgo Pinti is a great apartment! We loved the location because it was so easy to walk to everyplace in central Florence. We especially enjoyed the nearby market di S. Ambrogio, the restaurant directly across the street, and the bakery down the street. A beautiful, clean, well equipped place to call home.

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

A Home Away From Home

Guest: Tarini (Delhi, India)
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 06/13/10

Our charming apartment in Borgo Pinti made our stay in Florence one of the happiest memories of our Italian holiday. It is bright and beautifully furnished, neat, clean and very thoughtfully appointed with all the amenities you would want on a holiday including basic provisions so we didn't have to rush out for a cup of coffee on arrival.The location of the apartment in the heart of the old city is perfect as most of the tourist sights and a lot of excellent restaurants and shops are within easy walking distance. My husband and I and our two children were so happy to come home to its cosy comfort after an exhausting day of sightseeing. Even though we were there for only a few days, it felt like home. Our only regret is that we could not meet our landlady, Mrs. Claudia Morace, who made Florence special for us because of her concern for our comfort and well being. Whether it was helping us with hotel bookings elsewhere, organizing sightseeing tours or providing shopping / dining information, she was there to guide us, by phone and email. When you are a newly arrived visitor in a foreign country, it makes all the difference to have someone to turn to for help and advice. We can't wait to come back!

Owner response:Dear Tarini, many thanks for your wonderful review. I also regret I could not meet you and your beautiful family either in Florence or in Naples. Please remember that Claudia is a friend you have somewhere in the world.

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

A great stay in Florence

Guest: Wally and Di (Australia)
Date of Stay: 04/25/10 Review Submitted: 05/18/10

Borgo Pinti is well located at the edge of the Florence’s busy tourist district. The area seemed to comprise both local and overseas residents. The apartment is bursting with amenities which included plentiful supplies and equipment. The huge bowl of strawberries on the table when we arrived indicated the generosity of the owner and her assistant Serena. We were able to shop at the local market (highly recommended by Serena our Florence contact) and dine in sartorial splendour. We also enjoyed local cuisine at a restaurant recommended and pre booked by Claudia- a great introduction to the culinary delights of Florence. The apartment has two bedrooms. Unfortunately our friends were prevented from joining us due to the closure of air traffic in Europe caused by the Icelandic volcano. Claudia (the owner) offered them a free week at her own expense which was unexpected and incredibly generous. We would recommend this property based on the fact that we were treated with genuine hospitality and care.

Owner response:Thank you very much for your kind review. I hope to meet you in the next future together with Peter and his wife. Best regards Claudia

Recommended for:

Everything you could hope for and more

Guest: Roger and Kay (Lynchburg, VA USA)
Date of Stay: 04/19/10 Review Submitted: 05/06/10

This place is absolutely perfect. It is located well in a quiet neighborhood. I was concerned that without public transportation, I would have problems getting around Florence. It was not an issue although I recommend everyone who visits to carry a good map and a compass (It definitely helps to know which direction you're going). Florence, unlike Rome, is flat and easy to walk around. The neighborhood is quiet and allows multiple choices for dining out or markets to obtain food for snacks or a quiet meal dining in. The kitchen is well stocked with appliances and pots and pans and allows for any need. The china is good quality and allows place settings for up to twenty. The apartment is immaculate. It has nice area rugs and tasteful artwork on the walls. It is spacious and allows your family to spread out and enjoy some room- much nicer than being on top of each other in a typical hotel room. Many of the extras include a washing machine, plenty of china and silverware so that you don't have to do dishes every night, a refrigerator with cold drinks (Milk, Coke, grapefruit juice, and water) that Claudia is nice enough to provide, a cell phone (You can't call home, but it's nice to call a restaurant to see if they are open or to call a cab), and fresh flowers on the dining room table and in the living room. It now has a new color television in the living room and satellite television. I found Claudia easy to work with. Her English is excellent and she was very responsive to my needs. I think that she has the gift of hospitality, loves her country, and wants to do everything with in her power to make your visit to Florence a memorable experience. I hope to be back soon and cannot recommend this apartment too highly.

Owner response:Dear Roger, dear Kay, thank you so much for your kind review. It wa really a pleasure to meet you and your children. You are a wonderful family and I hope to have the opportunity to meet you all again soon. Love Claudia.

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

Great location

Guest: Bob B. (New Hampshire, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/18/10 Review Submitted: 05/02/11

This was the perfect spot to have for our visit. Very comfortable for 4 adults with grocery stores, wine and beverage shops, restaurants, shopping etc., all within easy reach. Most of the city's museums and major attractions are also within easy walking distance. The apartment was spotless when we arrived with all amenities that would be expected of a major hotel were carefully laid out for our use. Thank you Claudia for a truly memorable stay. We loved your apartment!

Owner response:Dear Bob, thank you very much for your review. It is always very helpful for me and my future guests. I was so sorry I could not be there to meet you, but I hope we will meet once in the future Fondly Claudia

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

April In Florence

Guest: Jorge Jenny (Studio City, CA )
Date of Stay: 04/06/10 Review Submitted: 04/28/10

Our journey started out as a family event, we had a baptism to attend at decided on making this necessary trip a vacation. Florence was the destination because of our family and the baptism itslef, but it came to be the perfect place to stay and get a lot done. It is geagraphically in the center of everything you want to see in Italy, short train rides to Rome, Tuscany, Venice and Pisa. The apartment itself was great clean and in a safe neighborhood with a Barista (Bar / Coffee Shop) right across the street if your like me a coffee junkie this is imperative =) and a Farmacia (Pharmacy) at the corner for other neccesities. Furnished well DONT FORGET THE CONVERTERS....It is also located within walkin distance to many museums, restaurants and night clubs you will definetly save money in taxi fare if you want to and don't mind half hour slow paced walks.

Owner response:Dear Jorge, thank you very much for your kind review. I wish you all the best and I hope you will visit us once again. Best regards Claudia

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

Guest: Peggy Youngblood (Tallahassee, Florida)
Date of Stay: 01/11/10 Review Submitted: 01/11/10

Our six day stay in Florence was a wonderful experience thanks to the hospitality of Claudia and the comfort of the Borgo Pinti apartment. The apartment is in an excellent location, within walking distance to all the sites. It was very comfortable with all the conveniences needed to make it feel like home. We were especially appreciative of Claudia's attention to our needs. She and Serena checked on us several times to make sure we had everything we needed. We were so pleased to walk in to find a nice note and gift from Claudia as well as some basic refreshments already stocked in the refrigerator. Serena was very helpful meeting us at the apartment upon our arrival, showing us around, and arranging for a taxi to take us to the airport. All in all this was a wonderful experience and if we return to Florence in the future, we will definitely rent this apartment again. Thank you Claudia and Serena!

Recommended for:

Guest: Nancy Falvo (Pittsburgh, PA)
Date of Stay: 10/25/09 Review Submitted: 10/25/09

We have just returned from 2 wonderful weeks in Florence staying at 41 Borgo Pinti. Claudia, your apartment was perfect! Everything written on the website is absolutely true but yet doesn't adequately describe what we experienced. In a very short time, your apartment became "our home". The apartment is equipped with everything you would need. However, if you can't find something or need anything, simply ask Claudia or Serena. (By the way, there's a drawer in the kitchen table where you'll find the silverware! We still laugh about that one) The apartment's location is absolutely perfect! We loved the neighborhood with all the restauants, the largest fresh food market, shops, and churches. Use the little white church and the Duomo as your landmarks to get almost anywhere. Getting up the stairs the first time with all of luggage was a challenge - yes, we over packed! But after that, the 57 steps weren't that bad at all. We definitely stayed in shape. The noise from the street was like a lullaby for us each night & morning. As I mentioned, Serena is there should you need anything. We were so grateful for all of her help and really enjoyed our talks. She really knows Florence and if she doesn't know - she'll find out. I could go on and on and could still never describe everything. Let me end with this - we loved being there and we can't wait to return. If you're planning a staying and have questions, send me a note - Claudia has my email address. Ciao!

Recommended for:

Guest: Joann Cocoros (Austin, Texas)
Date of Stay: 07/27/09 Review Submitted: 07/27/09

I don't know what I can add to the previous comments except to say they are all true! I would only be repeating the praises of this very comfortable home-away-from-home apartment in Florence. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. We have stayed here twice already and hope to visit once again.

Recommended for:

Guest: Denise and David (Naperville, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 07/20/09 Review Submitted: 07/20/09

We stayed in the smaller flat, Pinti Claudia, renting for the month of June. It is a lovely apartment with all the necessities plus. It is updated and all the appliances worked well; air conditioning, kitchen appliances, washing machine, internet. We had the front apartment so it is noisy but something you can get used to. The location is perfect for visiting any of the churches,museums, or markets. We felt very comfortable living there. We were cooking so the welcome basket of fruit and drinks and pantry staples was greatly appreciated. The street has interesting, one-of-kind shops, a pharmacy, Mingo Cafe for espresso and a pastry in the morning. We were participating in an art workshop and visited the apartments of the other participants; Pinti Claudia is a cut above the standard apartment in Florence. What also needs mention are the people. Claudia Morace, the owner, is easy to reach, very helpful, efficient, and we would stay at any property she owns. Serena, the on-site manager, and Martina, the cleaning lady, are dependable and responsible. Serena was especially helpful in answering our questions and showing us how to work everything. She has a warm, engaging personality and stayed with a problem until it was fixed. We enjoyed our stay in Florence and at Pinti Claudia. We would stay there again or recommend it to our friends.

Recommended for:

Guest: Mark and Family2 (Greenwich Connecticut)
Date of Stay: 07/13/09 Review Submitted: 07/13/09

Our family of 4 stayed in the larger of the two flats for a week and thoroughly enjoyed it. The flat is tastefully decorated in an antique, local style but all the appliances and fixtures are up-to-date. We were there during a hot spell and the air conditioners kept everybody cool, even those sleeping in the loft. We enjoyed the tasteful décor, but also the well-equipped kitchen, the air conditioning, washing machine and wireless during breaks from the outside heat. We liked the location upon arrival, but even more the longer we were there. We never took a taxi since the flat is close to everything, but it is also on a quiet street, which is hard to find in Florence. The local shops provided everything we needed. There are restaurants and small food markets directly outside the flat door, and there is a large, modern food market within 5 minutes. The only purchases my teenage daughter made in Florence were at the local shops in our neighborhood because of the unique styles and reasonable prices, and after searching all over Florence for antique prints as nice as the ones in our flat, I finally find them in our own neighborhood. The owner is easily reachable and the manager is local. They are both extremely helpful and concerned about your comfort. The building is quiet and the permanent residents are friendly

Owner response:Thank you Mark for your kindness. I wish you and your family all the best and I hope your family will visit us again. Best regards Claudia

Recommended for:

Guest: John and Susan Rogers (Newville, Pennsylvania)
Date of Stay: 07/06/09 Review Submitted: 07/06/09

We have lived in five different apartments in Florence over the last six years, and “Pinti 1” is easily our favorite; we lived there for over three months last year. It is beautifully and comfortably furnished, it’s stylish, and it clearly shows the love and care of its owner, Mrs. Claudia Morace. Borgo Pinti is a quiet, mostly pedestrian street. It’s off the “tourist track,” yet within easy walking distance to the historic center of the city. San Ambrogio market, the best market in Florence, is about seven minutes down the street. The apartment is on the top floor of a quiet building, up manageable flights of stairs. It has two floors: the top floor contains the master bedroom and bathroom and a small, quiet alcove for reading or other pursuits. The main floor contains the kitchen, dining area, living room, large bathroom, and guest room. Morning sunlight pours through the large living room window. There is a big dining room table – we seated eight for Thanksgiving dinner – and an abundance of dishes and pots and pans. The apartment is supplied with many quality bed linens and towels; there are three televisions, one in each of the bedrooms and one in the living room, and there’s a good desk where one can work at the computer; the apartment is wired for the internet. Easily our greatest surprise was that the apartment has screens, a luxury in Florence where mosquitoes seem to thrive year-round. A wonderful domestic, Marta, seems to know everything about the apartment, and if she can’t answer your questions, Serena and Mrs. Morace are only too happy to help. Speaking of Mrs. Morace, we have never met a more pleasant and accommodating landlady; the instant we met her we were struck by her warmth and friendship. We never felt that our relationship was “strictly business.” She and her beautiful apartment remain one of our happiest memories of Florence – where we hope to return very soon.

Recommended for:

Guest: John H1 (New York, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/06/09 Review Submitted: 07/06/09

Three friends and I stayed in the larger of the two Pinti apartments for one week in May. The apartment was absolutely beautiful and was kept in pristine condition. We were four singles, so having two bedrooms plus a loft with two single beds was perfect for us, even though the place would have accommodated up to three couples. The owner of the property, Claudia, lives in Naples but always remains reachable, and Serena, who works for Claudia, was local and always available to help us. The location of the apartment was perfect, with most of the important monuments/museums in walking distance (Duomo 5-10 minutes, David 5-10 minutes, train station 15 minutes, Ponte Vecchio 15 minutes). Also, the lovely, quiet street it's on, Borgo Pinti, has some of the best food we ate (don't miss Accadi, it's right across the street!). We hope to stay here again for our next trip to the most beautiful city in Europe. Grazie, Claudia!

Recommended for:

Guest: Daniel A. (-)
Date of Stay: 07/02/09 Review Submitted: 07/02/09

This is a nicely appointed apartment with plenty of room. It is in walking distance of the major sites but is located in a quite area. The management of the property is excellent. They are very reponsive to any inquiry. The only draw back is that it is up three flights of stairs. I would stay there again.

Recommended for:

Guest: Robert S. (Worthington, OH USA)
Date of Stay: 05/11/08 Review Submitted: 05/11/08

The only problem with the apartment on Borgo Pinti is that we do not own it.Location: In our 60’s and moderate speed walkers, during the 3 months we lived in Borgo Pinti, we found that we could walk to Santa Croce 6 minutes, Duomo, Bargello, Academia or Museo di Pietre Dure 7 minutes, Piazza della Republica or Piazza della Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi) 10 minutes, Ponte Vecchio or Train Station (Santa Maria Novella) 15 minutes, Palazzo Pitti 20 minutes and San Miniato al Monte or Piazzale Michelangiolo 30 minutes(requiring more time due to elevation change).Borgo Pinti is a very historic street dating to the Etruscan period. It has a famous Perugino painting, the first iron balcony ever in Florence (second on the Palazzo Vecchio), the homes of the Renaissance architects ,the Sangallos, and almost directly across the street from the apartment, the home and workshop of the Mannerist sculptor, Giambologna. At one end of the street, an old gate to the city and the other end a cemetery with the graves of the last descendants of William Shakespeare and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. In the Uffizi, opposite “Primavera”, you can also see Botticelli’s “Cestello Annunziata”, which used to hang in a convent on Borgo Pinti.The street has many wonderful shops and restaurants making food shopping etc rather easy.The Apartment is a spacious two bedroom, two full baths with a complete kitchen, including 4 gas burner cooktop, electric oven, microwave, dishwasher, sink and drying rack, blender, toaster etc etc. There is a clothes washer and a drying rack. There is a great room for lounging and eating. It also has air conditioning which we did not use because we were there from winter to spring and screens on the windows, very rare in Italy but important during the Florence mosquito season.There are 3 televisions with dvd equipment and satellite service. There is a high speed dsl line which we found highly reliable, (one brief outage for a server problem in 3 months).All of the equipment and appliances operate as they should.Located on the second piano (which Americans consider the third floor), there are 56 steps to climb to reach the apartment.In addition to all of this, one of the real assets of this apartment is Claudia, the owner who lives in Napoli, Serena, the manager and Martina, the person who cleans. They are immediately responsive

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Robert S. (Worthington, OH USA)
Date of Stay: 05/01/08 Review Submitted: 05/10/08

The only problem with the apartment on Borgo Pinti is that we do not own it. Location: In our 60’s and moderate speed walkers, during the 3 months we lived in Borgo Pinti, we found that we could walk to Santa Croce 6 minutes, Duomo, Bargello, Academia or Museo di Pietre Dure 7 minutes, Piazza della Republica or Piazza della Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi) 10 minutes, Ponte Vecchio or Train Station (Santa Maria Novella) 15 minutes, Palazzo Pitti 20 minutes and San Miniato al Monte or Piazzale Michelangiolo 30 minutes(requiring more time due to elevation change). Borgo Pinti is a very historic street dating to the Etruscan period. It has a famous Perugino painting, the first iron balcony ever in Florence (second on the Palazzo Vecchio), the homes of the Renaissance architects ,the Sangallos, and almost directly across the street from the apartment, the home and workshop of the Mannerist sculptor, Giambologna. At one end of the street, an old gate to the city and the other end a cemetery with the graves of the last descendants of William Shakespeare and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. In the Uffizi, opposite “Primavera”, you can also see Botticelli’s “Cestello Annunziata”, which used to hang in a convent on Borgo Pinti. The street has many wonderful shops and restaurants making food shopping etc rather easy. The Apartment is a spacious two bedroom, two full baths with a complete kitchen, including 4 gas burner cooktop, electric oven, microwave, dishwasher, sink and drying rack, blender, toaster etc etc. There is a clothes washer and a drying rack. There is a great room for lounging and eating. It also has air conditioning which we did not use because we were there from winter to spring and screens on the windows, very rare in Italy but important during the Florence mosquito season. There are 3 televisions with dvd equipment and satellite service. There is a high speed dsl line which we found highly reliable, (one brief outage for a server problem in 3 months). All of the equipment and appliances operate as they should. Located on the second piano (which Americans consider the third floor), there are 56 steps to climb to reach the apartment. In addition to all of this, one of the real assets of this apartment is Claudia, the owner who lives in Napoli, Serena, the manager and Martina, the person who cleans. They are immediately responsive and eager to please and wonderful, warm people. We have lived in other apartments in Florence, but Borgo Pinti is the best that we have found.

Recommended for:

Beautiful apartment, historic street

Guest: Robert S. (Worthington, OH USA)
Date of Stay: 02/06/08 Review Submitted: 05/11/08

Location: In our 60’s and moderate speed walkers, during the 3 months we lived in Borgo Pinti, we found that we could walk to Santa Croce 6 minutes, Duomo, Bargello, Academia or Museo di Pietre Dure 7 minutes, Piazza della Republica or Piazza della Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi) 10 minutes, Ponte Vecchio or Train Station (Santa Maria Novella) 15 minutes, Palazzo Pitti 20 minutes and San Miniato al Monte or Piazzale Michelangiolo 30 minutes(requiring more time due to elevation change). Borgo Pinti is a very historic street dating to the Etruscan period. It has a famous Perugino painting, the first iron balcony ever in Florence (second on the Palazzo Vecchio), the homes of the Renaissance architects ,the Sangallos, and almost directly across the street from the apartment, the home and workshop of the Mannerist sculptor, Giambologna. At one end of the street, an old gate to the city and the other end a cemetery with the graves of the last descendants of William Shakespeare and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. In the Uffizi, opposite “Primavera”, you can also see Botticelli’s “Cestello Annunziata”, which used to hang in a convent on Borgo Pinti. The street has many wonderful shops and restaurants making food shopping etc rather easy. The Apartment is a spacious two bedroom, two full baths with a complete kitchen, including 4 gas burner cooktop, electric oven, microwave, dishwasher, sink and drying rack, blender, toaster etc etc. There is a clothes washer and a drying rack. There is a great room for lounging and eating. It also has air conditioning which we did not use because we were there from winter to spring and screens on the windows, very rare in Italy but important during the Florence mosquito season. There are 3 televisions with dvd equipment and satellite service. There is a high speed dsl line which we found highly reliable, (one brief outage for a server problem in 3 months). All of the equipment and appliances operate as they should. Located on the second piano (which Americans consider the third floor), there are 56 steps to climb to reach the apartment. In addition to all of this, one of the real assets of this apartment is Claudia, the owner who lives in Napoli, Serena, the manager and Martina, the person who cleans. They are immediately responsive and eager to please and wonderful, warm people. We have lived in other apartments in Florence, but Borgo Pinti is the best that we have found.

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