Before leaving, I spent a lot of time on the Internet and plotted my trip reserving lodging and tickets (through my host Andrea) ahead of time so I didn't feel stressed upon arriving.

Florence Flat is one of the best places I have ever stayed. The apartment is located in the San Niccolò area (on the left bank of the Arno) and within walking distance of the Old Bridge, Uffizi, Pitti, and the wonderful terrace of Piazzale Michelangelo. It offers its guests secure and welcoming surroundings after a long, tiring day of sights, and even if it doesn’t offer any type of view, the standard is huge.

This one-room apartment is very well organized and furnished to offer a very relaxing environment. First, you see the entrance that opens to the huge sitting area with a dining table and comfortable sofas (with a full TV set with a DVD player and satellite if you are tired and decide not to go out for a drink). The bedroom has a double bed, fully equipped kitchen with oven, microwave and fridge, dishwasher, and safe.

This travel was one of the most crazy/exciting things I have ever done. I felt like I could conquer anything after that trip. Everything was very intense, and I have so many incredible memories of the places and people. I’m glad I choose Florence for my first solo experience, because it was the perfect size city for solo woman to conquer. Andrea was wonderful to me, suggesting sites to visit (including a nice concert at San Miniato church) and good/cheap places to eat. He organized also a private full-day trip to Siena and San Gignimiano (cold and windy).

Some words of advice – If you decide to book here, be in touch with Andrea a few months in advance.

We had chosen the Oltrarno historic district in Florence as the place we were going to stay a week. The western part of the area was traditionally an artisans' quarter, while many of the ruling families chose to settle in the central or eastern Oltrarno. The apartment which we booked through the InterHome, is in a wonderful position to explore Florence on foot. Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Pitti and the Boboli Gardens are approx. 100 m away. It takes 5 to 7 minutes walk to reach Piazza della Signoria or Galleria degli Uffizi. Access to the apartment from Via Guicciardini is through a courtyard which has one of the best ceramic shops in Florence. Here also you will find a memorial plate informing that Niccolo Machiavelli lived here. In the building there is a miniscule lift, no more than two can use it at a time (if they are fit and without luggage). The one-bedroom apartment has been renovated and furnished in Tuscany country style. The large windows of the living rooms overlook the characteristic courtyard making this quiet apartment very luminous. You will find double bed in the master bedroom, another reclining bed in the living room, kitchen with small fridge, 4 hotplates, and microwave. Shower is rather small, there is also bidet and WC. From the bedroom and hall there is access to a narrow balcony overlooking the internal courtyard.

The apartment, which we booked through the InterHome, is in historic old town, in a wonderful position to explore Florence on foot. Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Pitti and the Boboli Gardens are approx. 100 m away. It takes 5 to 7 minutes’ walk to reach Piazza della Signoria or Galleria degli Uffizi. Access to the apartment from Via Guicciardini is through a courtyard which has one of the best ceramic shops in Florence. Here also you will find a memorial plate informing that Niccolo Machiavelli lived here.

In the building there is a miniscule lift. The one-bedroom apartment has been renovated and furnished in Tuscany country style. The large windows of the living rooms overlook the characteristic courtyard making this quiet apartment very luminous. You will find a double bed in the master bedroom, another reclining bed in the living room, kitchen with small fridge, four hotplates, and microwave. Shower is rather small, there is also bidet and WC. From the bedroom and hall there is access to a narrow balcony overlooking the internal courtyard.