...the city. The train and bus stations (the latter is useful for trips to Siena or Lucca) are a 15-minute walk away. Via del Parioncino is within a traffic-limited zone, so it is reasonably quiet. Parking is a problem near the flat; the nearest free car park is at least 15 minutes away by foot, and not very safe for foreign-plated cars. However, there is a private, secure garage ten minutes away which costs around £70 per week.

The flat is on the fourth floor of an old building, and there is no elevator.

There is a double bedroom (double or twin beds) with plenty of wardrobe and cupboard space, and a living room with table and chairs (for four), comfortable double sofa bed, TV and CD player/radio. The well-equipped kitchen has a microwave, washing machine and more than enough kitchen utensils, saucepans and so on to satisfy a keen cook. There is room for two people to eat in the kitchen. The bathroom has a shower, bidet and WC. The flat has been permanently lived in until fairly recently, and we have tried to make it cosy; no-body likes to walk into an anonymous, characterless place at the beginning of a holiday.

There is central heating in winter and fans for use in summer. Being on the top floor, it can be very hot in July and August. Bed linens are supplied, but not towels. Renters are responsible for changing and washing sheets if required during stays longer than a week. Cleaning can be arranged during your stay.

The apartment is situated in the heart of Florence's 'Centro Storico' or Old Centre. This means that is is within walking distance from all the major sights. The is a bus stop within a couple of minutes walk and train and coach stations (for transport to other parts of Tuscany and beyond) are ten minutes away by foot.

There are food shops, clothes shops, a bank, post office, bars and restaurants literally on the doorstep. The central market is ten minutes walk away.

Views from the windows are of roof gardens and ancient rooftops; it is a typical Florentine situation.