Would very much appreciated your feedback on Villa San Luigi on via degli Alfani (windowsonitaly.com) (posting no elevator, third floor and 82 steps to climb) AND Apartment Carin (Florencevillas.com) with elevator in the Piazza Santa Croce area.

I took a look at both and they are both lovely, actually Carin is gorgeous. We too rented an apt in Florence (for a month), as we do in every city we visit, so have a lot of experience with ancient city apartments with and without elevators.

I would go with Carin. Picture yourself there: out to the bakery in the AM for pastries for breakfast, then out for the morning, possibly returning for lunch or siesta, then out in the PM, back to get ready for dinner out and then there's the day you go to the grocery store. And don't forget lugging the suitcases up and down.

Since both places are great, I would go with the one with the elevator. Quaint, charm and no elevator have there place, but only if it is one floor up. Have a wonderful time.

In europe the 3rd floor is what we would call the 4th floor in the US - since they call the floor you walk into the Ground Floor not the first floor as we do. I would go for an elevator - much better if you are going to be walking miles per day. Also easier with luggage and groceries.

Thank you for the momentary visual of our day will be like in Florence jan47ete! I was leaning towards the Carin but was torn with the view of the San Luigi. The reality, however, is that we'll climb plenty of stairs during our time in Italy and would probably welcome an elevator.

And of course thanks nytraveler, ever so helpful and insightful commentary. Third floor is actually 4th! Whew!

It seems you have decided, but I'll just add this: some time ago, I did freelance work for Florencevillas. com. They are very nice people and easy to work with, with staff at hand. Also, while working for them, we always stayed in the Santa Croce area and came to love it.

So good to know tuscanlifeedit, thanks for sharing. If all goes well, we'll stay in the Carin apt. - will give my feedback in 2012 when we return.

So good to know tuscanlifeedit, thanks for sharing. If all goes well, we'll stay in the Carin apt. - will give my feedback in 2012 when we return.

So good to know tuscanlifeedit, thanks for sharing. If all goes well, we'll stay in the Carin apt. - will give my feedback in 2012 when we return.

Apartment Carin not available!! Help?

Oh, do ask at florencevillas.com for a comparable apartment. They should be able to help you.

We use homeaway.com or vbro.com if florencevillas has nothing to offer you.

Looking at it from another viewpoint.....Other then carrying our suitcases up and down at the beginning and end of our stay, I didn't think the steps were that big of a deal in the apartments we stayed in while in Venice and in Rome. Our Venice apt was up 3 flights, the Rome one was up 4. The owner in Rome had someone there to help carry our luggage up too, so we only had to get it down when we left. We also weren't in and out of our apartments as much as jan47 mentioned. We generally left in the morning, came back at the most once in the afternoon/early evening, then were back later at night. Groceries weren't that big of a deal either, we didn't buy that much at one time anywhere, and most of what we bought was fairly light.

So, assuming you are physically able to do the steps, I wouldn't rule out an apartment because of them, especially if the price is right. And of course, it is another reason to pack light, we only had carry on luggage.

CindyP