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Our home is located in the San Niccolò neighborhood, an idyllic quartiere of talented artisans, terraced cafes, art galleries and fantastic restaurants. Just a ten minute walk across Ponte Vecchio from the city center, San Niccolò is nestled within the last remnants of the old city walls of Florence ... and a world apart from the frenzied tourist-focused areas of the city. We are on the second floor (third floor U.S.) in a four-unit building our architect says was constructed sometime between 1380 and 1420. But don't worry, all systems (electrical, plumbing, heating, etc.) were updated after we purchased our unit in 2002. :-) With wooden beam ceilings (over three meters high), thick masonry walls, terra cotta floors and friendly Italian neighbors who respect your privacy ... you're guaranteed to have a comfortable and memorable visit to this beautiful Renaissance city. Our home is perfectly sized for two or three people (65 sq. meters, or approximately 700 sf), and nicely furnished with a separate bedroom (firm queen mattress), well-equipped kitchen, full bathroom with tub & shower and an open space "soggiorno" (living room/dining room). There's also a comfortable 1.5 sofabed in the soggiorno to accomodate a 3rd person (bigger than a single but smaller than a double bed). Other features include air conditioning, washing machine, dishwasher, wireless internet access, TV/DVD/Stereo, double-paned windows and a houseful of period furnishings from our weekend raids on antique markets throughout Tuscany. :-)

Firenze (Florence) is "the cradle of the Renaissance" and the capital of Tuscany ... with awe-inspiring beauty everywhere you look. It's often overwhelming! With a population of 500,000 (one million including the suburbs), Florence offers (among other things) the Uffizi Gallery, Boboli Gardens, Ponte Vecchio and Michelangelo's David. Here you'll find world-renowned restaurants, a vibrant night life, concerts, opera, theatre ... and a city filled with fun-loving Italians! In October 2009, all vehicles were finally banished from Piazza del Duomo, so most of Florence's historical center is now a huge pedestrian-only zone ... yeah! You'll be fine here without a car as public transport takes you everywhere.

We're a short 10 minute walk to the center of Florence (Piazza della Signoria). Closer to home, we're one block from Porta San Niccolò, a 45 meter stone tower built in 1324 and the original gated entrance to Florence for travelers arriving from Rome. Just up the ramps from Porta San Niccolò is Piazzale Michelangelo which offers a breathtaking view over the city. A short walk in the other direction from our home is Porta San Miniato, and passing through its wooden gates you're soon among verdant olive groves, cypress and narrow country lanes edged with stone walls. Don't miss the recently opened Giardino Bardini which hugs the hillside overlooking San Niccolò and Florence (http://www.bardinipeyron.it/ab/). There's a bus stop 50 meters away from our home with three bus lines leading to the central train station in 20 minutes (Santa Maria Novella). Grocery stores, a terrific gelateria, a well-known bakery/deli, several pizzerias and terraced cafes are all within a five minute walk. Across the street is Filipepe (www.filipepe.com), a highly-recommended restaurant for that special occasion. The San Niccolò neighborhood has the comfortable feel of a small Tuscan village but easily accessible to the city center. When Florentines hear where we live, their response is always the same: "Ahhhh ... San Niccolò!!" :-) You'll like it here.

We are a couple: Michael (American, originally from LA and Seattle) and Massimo (definitely Italian). We love travelling, visiting with friends and cooking. We have a small spaniel named Lola, who stays with her many Italian "aunts and uncles" when we travel.

We are mainly interested in exchanging our home for short visits (3 to 5 nights) to other European cities. During 2011 we'd like to make a longer trip (3 or 4 weeks) to Sydney or Cape Town or San Francisco. But the truth is ... we are open to any proposal as our vacations are flexible and we love to travel. Just ask! :-)