First time aprtment experience in Italy--pros and cons
 

The DH and I just got back from two weeks in Italy. We divided out time between an apartment in Montepulciano for a week and an apartment in Florence for the week. This was our first apartment experience.

Pros: both apartments were well-decorated, comfortable, attractive, and in good locations.

It was great to have more than one room.

Liked having coffee in the morning and breakfast in general.

Washing machine!!! yes

Cons:
I really missed having a concierge or some kind of contact point for information. Neither of the landlords were available on that kind of basis (nor would I expect them to be).

I missed talking to other tourists in the lobby over drinks or coffee. It's great to hear what others have seen and get recommendations.

If I were a landlord I'd have a simple printed-out page of basic information: restaurant, doctor, hours when you are available. I had to call both of them several times to arrange to leave the keys off upon departure.

All in all, I really prefer a small hotel or B&B.

Which apartment did you stay in in Montepulciano? We're going in September, and I should have enough information from the great people on this site to keep me very busy. I guess it's just not for everybody.

We rented an apartment studio in Paris. They had guide books, maps, instructions on operating all appliances, recommendations for restaurants, and everything you could want. Even left me a phone card to call them to make restaurant reservations for us. We were happy campers.

We like apartments for the room, the coffee in the morning, and the do-it-on-your-own experience. ((c)) ((b))

Politan apartments. Very nice. Large living room , beautiful views, parking nearby. He has a website.

Your Parisian experience was what I was expecting.

That's the one we are staying in. Which of the two did you have? I'll make sure I have all my maps & guide books, and Fodors recommendations.

Did they provide breakfast stuff just for the first morning only? I figure we will have all day Saturday to stock up on bread, cheese, juice, coffee, water, and the like. Was there a convenient place nearby to shop? ((b))

I would think your rental company would fill you in on what is included at the rental and what isn't, at least that has been my experience. I have come to assume that nothing extra will be provided and then I am not disappointed.

I have found in Europe it is entirely up to the managers or owners to provide soap, cleaning supplies, phone numbers, some do and some don't.

That is what you get when you rent an apartment, solitude, some people like it some don't.

Budman,
We had the one bedroom with the washing machine. No, nothing was provided. There is a good supermarket at the entrance to town :Conan's for the basics, plus.

We met the people in the other apartment once and they had asked for breakfast groceries to be provided, but nothing was.

Very good restuarant in town: Quarto Venti--pretty, very good food, friendly. I did NOT like the one nearest the apartment. Can't remember the name, but Mr. Stuart and the other tenants really liked it. Thought the menu was dull, the food so-so, and a bit hurried for me.

MDV
Can you be a little more specific on the location of Conan's, sure would appreciate it. Thanks Rick

We rented an apt in Montepulciano last summer.

It is a great place to base yourself.

I meant to also recommend being in Montepulcain for part of Thusday on Market day.

Seeeing the way many of the "locals" shop added to our Italian experience.

I posted a few pics taken on Market day here.

http://www.pbase.com/dickp/tuscany&page=2

Dick, you take excellent pictures.

Hi all. Very useful comparisons. Budman, can you tell us which agency made your studio rental in Paris such a success? Thanks. J.

jmw44, we dealt with parisvacationapartments.com

We stayed in the Rue Cortot Studio in Montmartre. ((b))

Ann,

Thanks very much for your kind words.

I just had my first apartment experience in Rome. I agree with mdv's experiences. I liked not having to worry about when the maid would come (since I had serious jet lag for a few days. But my shower plugged up and I ran out of toilet paper and had a hard time finding a grocery store.

All in all, I think I would get the apartment again. I loved the space and feeling like a resident.