| recent business/pleasure trip to Florence,my wife and I | | | | We decided that lunch and the Uffizzi was a big |
| chose,or at least she persuaded me to choose | | | | enough day and we didn't want to go out to another |
| accommodation in a self catered Florence | | | | restaurant that evening. |
| apartment,rather than a hotel.The location was very | | | | There was a fully equipped kitchen in the apartment, |
| central allowing us to walk from the train station, just | | | | but no one felt like cooking, so we picked up a few |
| 300 meters away.We had caught the train from | | | | delicious bits and pieces at one of the original Italian |
| Rome where we live, as it takes only one hour and | | | | delis on the way back to the apartment; some salami, |
| forty five minutes and saves the stress of driving. | | | | fresh bread and some excellent cheeses.Local |
| We walked to the apartment in Via Rondinelli, just | | | | Tuscan food is hard to beat. |
| around the corner from Via Tornabuoni,the most | | | | We also bought a DVD (there was a player in the |
| elegant street of Florence,famous for its luxury brand | | | | apartment ) and decided to relax,with the delicious local |
| shops. | | | | tuscan food and a bottle of wine which Gianluca had |
| When we met the owner Gianluca at the apartment, | | | | welcomed us with on check in. |
| the first thing we noticed were the breathtaking original | | | | As soon as we entered the apartment with our |
| rich Fresco's covering the high ceilings,in the master | | | | supplies,ready to settle in,although we had only spent |
| bedroom and the living room, which looked like they | | | | an hour or so there previously,we were "home", this |
| were new - freshly painted.However we were very | | | | was it, the We had left the heating on,at a perfect 22 |
| surprised when he informed us that he had taken | | | | degrees, very cosy coming in from the Florence |
| down the false ceilings during the | | | | December. |
| refurbishment,uncovering,purely by chance these | | | | We didn't walk past a reception desk,we had our own |
| magnificent works hidden since the 1940's.Apparently | | | | keys, took our own lift to our own apartment on the |
| that's when apartment owners were moving away | | | | first floor; no tip. |
| from the ornate typical Florentine influences towards | | | | No one was going to knock on the door to ask if we |
| modern simple lines; we were amazed. | | | | wanted the bed "turned down" - once inside we could |
| Today of course,it's exactly the opposite,all that has | | | | do as we pleased and as I walked into the apartment |
| changed back,thank god and the small exclusive city | | | | for the second time that day, I was actually thinking to |
| of Florence is again concentrating on retaining and | | | | myself that there is something about this style of |
| enhancing the wonderful history of Florence, making | | | | apartment accommodation that agrees with me, it's |
| the city what it was and what it is today - like no other | | | | more welcoming, it's larger, it's easier, it's certainly less |
| city on earth. | | | | expensive and it's peaceful. |
| This was also evident as Gianluca was showing us | | | | We were actually in control;our own home,even if it's |
| around this wonderful fully refurbished apartment; all | | | | temporary,being in this apartment in Florence feels |
| the modern amenities were there including WI-FI and | | | | good, like it's our own, something that not even a five |
| satellite TV,yet the furnishings,the floors,the bathrooms | | | | star hotel could ever offer. |
| and the all over look of the apartment although all | | | | Jill my wife was checking her e-mail, I threw off my |
| newly restored and refurnished, seemed to retain it's | | | | shoes, opened the wine and flopped on the couch, |
| typical Florentine flavor and ancient warmth. | | | | very relaxed. |
| The craftsmen of Florence still exist today and have | | | | In the morning we slept late, because we could, there |
| fortunately inherited their skills over generations, which | | | | was no hotel dining area downstairs that was serving |
| is why new apartment refurbishments do not spoil the | | | | breakfast until ten o'clock only and then you starve. |
| charm of the ancient buildings. The antique wooden | | | | I brought my wife the mandatory cup of tea in bed |
| tables and chairs have been expertly restored. | | | | and we took our time getting ready, looking forward to |
| We unpacked and relaxed, checked our e-mail,then | | | | a real cappuccinno and a hot wedge of superior |
| went to explore the surrounding area. | | | | "frittata" made with eggs, cheese and vebetables at |
| All the famous lanmarks were close by like, The | | | | Procacci, the famous cafe, a landmark in Florence, |
| Cathedral, Battistero, The Giotto Bell-tower, Santa | | | | located in the elegant Via Tornabuonia, unchanged |
| Maria Novella Church, Signoria Palace, The Old Bridge, | | | | since 1885, the cafes facade and interior are exactly |
| Uffizi and Pitti Palace were all within walking distance, | | | | as they were, still serving the best food and wine. The |
| from our Florence apartment ,though on this trip we | | | | cafe was bought by the Italian winery Antinori seven |
| only had time to visit Uffizzi; the famous Medici's family | | | | years ago, not only to sell it's wine, but also to protect |
| landmark,a breathtaking building dedicated to the | | | | and retain this establishments history, like many do in |
| history of the Medicics private art collection,dating back | | | | Via Tornabuoni. |
| as far as the 1200's. | | | | Locals and tourists alike come here for their breakfast, |
| The Uffizzi is always a must see; paintings and | | | | lunch snacks and a glass of wine in the evening, |
| sculptures by many great masters, Leonardo Da Vinci | | | | accompanied by small tartuffo rolls,simply delicious and |
| and Botticelli to name just two. | | | | something that only Procacci can do and are know |
| We chose a homely restaurant called Spada just a | | | | for. |
| few minutes from our apartment for lunch, which was | | | | It was time to take the train back to Rome and as we |
| delicious; some proscuitto and buffalo mozzarella | | | | were packing, my wife said to me,"well we made the |
| cheese followed by riboletta an old Tuscan dish; soup | | | | right desicion again choosing an apartment". I tended to |
| made with vegetables and bread,finished off in the | | | | agree with her as I was quietly thinking to myself, I am |
| oven.The small jug of house wine was a must to | | | | going to miss this place. |
| accompany the meal. | | | | |