Holly_uncasdewar

It was raining! No limp, though.

tedgale

Holly: you are correct - I was looking on at a closeup map on google maps and thought Firenze Campo M. station was actually Firenze S.ta Maria N.

If the OP's options are still open, I would echo kybourbon in recommending the Residenza Il Carmine. They are such nice people and the garden onto which most apt units face must be looking splendid by now....

rialtogrl

The place in Venice is also a bit "out of the center" and you'll be walking a lot (nice walks, though) or taking the vaporetto a lot. Its a great neighborhood, but a little remote for a first trip to Venice. You'll definitely be in a locals neighborhood.

I love the Sant' Ambrogio neighborhood in Florence and have stayed there on a few occasions. Walking to the center from there is no biggie.

abshim

Thanks for all the input!
I did check out that option of residents il carmine and have sent an enquiry for that.
I am probably the worst decision maker when it comes to accommodation but unfortunately it falls upon me..
So I guess everyone agrees its a little far out and this would be a better option:
http://www.flipkey.com/florence-condo-rentals/p383121/
This one is available and better priced too.
What do you think?

kybourbon

>>>Not to kick a dead horse here, but I recently walked from the duomo to Borgo Pinti, and it was about 5-6 minutes.<<<

It's 1/2 mile from Borgo Pinti. It would take a very brisk walk to a jog to cover a 1/2 mile in 5 minutes. Most people walk a mile in 20 minutes. Via Alessandro Manzoni is closer to a mile.

walk slowly = 20-25 mins per mile
walk briskly = 17-20 mins per mile
walk fast = 13-17 mins per mile
jog = 9-13 mins per mile
run = 5-9 mins per mile

The flipkey location is much closer, but I would question them about AC. It's not listed under amenities, but there is some mention of extra charges. AC is a must in June. The description says quiet although that is a busy street. Perhaps it faces an interior courtyard.

One of the issues with any of these is you are traveling with 6 adults (couples?) yet they are only 2 bedroom. The flipkey apartment would require someone to sleep on a pull out sofa and someone on a single (if I read the description correctly). It is never pleasant to be the person on the sofa. They are usually not comfortable and are in the main room everyone else is using so that person has no privacy. There are always people up early or late that come through that area to the kitchen, bathroom, etc. so that person is continually disturbed. It makes for a very unpleasant trip if you aren't able to get enough rest.

bendigo

<I am probably the worst decision maker when it comes to accommodation but unfortunately it falls upon me..>

No, no - crazyfamilyof4 is a clear winner in this competition - much better that you compete for a different title, since you have NO CHANCE with that one!

We booked an apartment in Rome last year through Rental in Rome. They were fantastic to deal with, and the apartment was great - the location made it even better than we were expecting!

They have apartments in Venice and Florence as well.

www.rentalinrome.com

This is where we stayed in Rome:

http://www.rentalinrome.com/campodef...ricalapartment

tedgale

Excuse me - highjacking for just 1 query to bendigo:

Bendigo: I like Rental in Rome and that Rome apartment looks great. Did you find the "mezzanino" loft very low? How high was the ceiling? I am thinking of sending my 3 sisters to Rome as a 65th birthday present for the eldest. This could be a good option. I love via di Monserrato!

abshim

No we're actually 2 couples and 2 singles and are very used to less privacy (google joint families in India!) lol.
I did ask about ac, they said it was included in the amount she quoted me. Anything else I should be worried about? Noise shouldn't be much of a problem (again google Mumbai roads!)

Cash01

I was discussing the possibility of renting an apt for a few days in both Paris and Italy. She commented that she had rented a condo in Key West Fl a few years ago. She said it was a last min rental and she found some apt thru VRBO, and emailed the owners and made them an offer of half the asking price. She received three emails back accepting the offer. Should I believe her? has anyone ever tried this with an apt in Europe, I would not want to embarris myself while a guest in a forign country but I am on a very tight budget,I would not want to insult anyone. thank you

tedgale

Cash 01: Friends recently made an offer on an apartment that Rome Capital Apartments handles. I was surprised - I had never heard of negotiating with rental agencies.

Anyway, the agency conveyed the offer to the owner and it was accepted. I think the discount was about 15%.

This was off season. And the agency has sometimes advertised a last-minute discount on that very apartment.

Clearly, the owners are pragmatists. Some owners are, others are not.

If your offer is reasonable, there is no reason for the owner to be insulted.

Your chances are best when you are very close to your arrival date, obviously

Christina

Why not, it is solely the owner, not some agency. I wouldn't offer less unless you have a good reason that you can cite, not just to be cheap. For example off season, last minute or something. YOu had better be prepared to walk, also, as if they don't accept it they may mark you as a troublemaker or difficult, especially if there were no good reason to offer less (ie, peak season). Another good reason could be if there was some known major construction nearby or in the building (you'd have to know a city well to know that).

I would think half price would be pretty insulting, personally, I wouldn't try that without a good reason. ALso, one should be realistic as to whether it is priced very well for the market or not, or any wiggle room.

For example, I could see offering Roberto less money by saying that you notice he has no reviews and maybe it is a new listing, so while that makes you a little reticent, you would be willing to take it for (and then offer maybe 10-25 pct less). Something like that. However, I don't know rental rates in that area US $162 for a 3 BR apt in Venice seems like a very good rate to me already, I think that is very cheap. Really cheap, actually, although I don't know the going rates in Venice but I didn't think it was a cheap city. I know that is a low season rate but I still got only $183 for September.