Hi - we are thinking of renting an apartment that is near the train station in florence. It is on the opposite side of the station from the historical part of the city. Is this too far outside of the area we want to be? It seems to be just under a mile, but do you think the walk into town is going to become tedious? (We will be there for 6 days.) Is this an area where you would want to be based?

I just returned from Florence and found the city to be very walkable. Things were much closer than they seemed on my map, which I found pleasantly surprising.

I'm not certain the exact area you are referring to, but we stayed in an apartment 1/2 block from the Duomo and the walk to the train station was very quick and easy, so I would not think you would have a problem.

Statia -

Thanks so much. It is definitely hard to get a real feel for distance from the maps (despite looking at the scale). Where did you stay? Where did you find your property? We were considering a place near the duomo, but wondered if it would be too touristy.

HI
that area wouldn't be my first choice, but Florence is quite small, and as long as it is indeed close to the train station you won't be much more than a 20 minute walk from most tourist sites (longer to the other side of the Arno).

Janster,

We rented an apartment on Borgo San Lorenzo, and felt the area was just perfect, and the price was right, too. We were very near all the sights, as well as plenty of places to eat, but also had our quiet and privacy on the fourth floor of our building at night. We rented the Lepri apartment from the following website:

http://www.florenceandtuscany.com/sa...escription.htm

The building is renovated and contains only apartments for tourist rentals. We felt very safe there and the pre-trip correspondence was very satisfactory. We would stay there again.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Hi Janster,

Go to http://www.ataf.net/Default_EN.asp

And see if you are near a bus stop.

Statia - I looked up those apartments, and they look great. I am waiting back for a reply for availability. Will let you know.

Glad to hear it, Janster. The owner, Gianna, was very nice and prompt by email pre-arrival. Her associate, Crisitina, who met us on arrival, was also helpful. I'll be happy to answer any questions if you decide to go with the apartment we rented.

Good luck.

Statia - We just booked the apartment! (Lepri) You were right, Gianna got back to me right away and seemed very nice. My husband spoke to her to giver the credit card deposit, and she gave him her mobile number and other helpful information for our arrival. The rate was SO reasonable! Better than a hotel! The pictures look great, and the location seems to be wonderful. Any suggestions for restaurants/bars/shopping or any other thing in the area? THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION !!!!

Has anyone stayed at the B&B Paola Fazzini- Borgo Pinti 31 - it is on the journeywoman website & the womeninflorence site. Anyone used the womeninflorence tour guide/companion service? both these sites are for women. B&B is at top of historical palace - 68 stairs(no lift) - views of duomo and a garden - 4 rooms - shared bath for each 2 rms. - 15 mins. from train stationn & 5 km from airport - believe the location is fine - many restuarants in Fodor's are on this street - 45E for single - sounds too good to be true - photos look ok - email responses have been great. Any other recommendations under 100E-single?
Also need recommendations in Siena & other areas close by - will be covering outlying locations via/bus/train. There last year and want to spend more time in Montepulciano, Assisi, Monticanto, etc.this year- 21 day trip - October.

Janster,

Glad to hear you have booked Lepri. We were very satisfied there. When are you going?

One word of advise. When we were there, we ended up deciding that the loft was a bit warm for us to sleep in during July....we are used to sleeping in pretty cool A/C at night, and the A/C unit blows mainly in the downstairs portion of the apartment. So, we made up the living room futon and were comfy as two bugs in a rug there. The mattress was just the same as the loft bed, and we didn't have to meander the stairs at night for the bathroom or water from the kitchen.

Also, a plus was waking to loooking at the swallows thru the living room window swooping the dome of San Lorenzo upon opening our eyes every morning. It was really nice.

Just in case you decide to use the futon in the living area, I think my husband left the instructions on how to open the bed on the very top of the book case in the lower level of the apartment (behind the dining table). It took us awhile of searching to find the instructions ourselves....ha. We were very honestly comfortable there. He is over 6' tall, and used to sleeping comfortably and we were fine.

There are many restaurants in the immediate vicinty, but one of our faves was late afternoon vinos and cichetti at "Nuti" with Leondardo, our usual waiter, who was so kind. Nuti is caddy corner across the street from the building to your left if you are facing the street from the front door.

The other osteria we really enjoyed nearby was Dell Agnolo where the bartender, Valentine, knows just which olives go with which wines. We also had a late dinner there one night, and it was fabulous. Dell Agnolo is just a few doors down from Nuti on the same side of the street.

There is a little grocery store that has most anything you would need only a few blocks away. I don't remember the name of it, and can't find the receipts now. But, if you walk out of the building and head left, you will come across it a couple of blocks after you pass all the souvenir vendors. It will be on the left hand side of the street.

Be forewarned that you will have 71 steps up to the apartment each day, but it's well worth it after much wonderful Italian food and vino. A little exercise doesn't hurt then, huh? We didn't mind, and it was nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of the street at night. As I said before, we also felt very comfortable and safe there.

Let me know if you have any other questions while things are fresh on my mind.

BTW - There were all the ammenities that we are used to. American coffee maker, CD player, satellite TV, washer, hanging clothes dryer is in the shower when you arrive (we couldn't find it right away). There is also an iron in one of the kitchen drawers (actually two when we were there).

So, let me know if I can be of more help with any questions at all. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Statia -

THANKS so much for the tips and the recommendations! It is nice to have the "inside scoop" on things. I am definitely going to print this out to take with me. We will defnitely be trying your recommendations, and knowing where a grocery store is is always a bonus. I love shopping in grocery stores in different countries!

My husband is also very tall, so it is nice to hear that the bedding is comfortable for a tall person.

We are going in the beginning of September for 4 days in Milan (the business portion of the trip), and then we will be 6 days in Florence. We are very much looking forward to it.

Thanks for your offer to answer any other questions. I will definitely do so if I think of anything else. I will write a post saying "STATIA, I have a question!!!" (ha ha)

Thanks again for the referral and all of your advice.

Janet

No problem, Janster. Glad to be of help. In September, the loft might not be too warm for you at night. We were there last week in July when temps were still pretty hight.

Have a great trip! I hope everything goes as well for you as it did for us.