It's unusual to find a small independent house in central Florence. Living room windows are to right of front door.
Standing on the terrace you can enjoy the view of sundrenched buildings just across the way.
Buon giorno! An ideal spot to greet the day is on the upstairs terrace with breakfast for two.
Two windows flank the comfortable sofa. The decorative fireplace in the corner adds charm.
The living room with sofa that converts to two twin beds and a sidechair beside the (non-working) fireplace in the corner.
Living room, dining area with antique Tuscan bookcase. Enjoy dinner at the antique table. French doors open to provide light and air.
A delicately painted Florentine cupboard is at one end of the living room.
Step out of the hustle and bustle of Florence into the calm and tidy Casetta. Front door just beyond living room to left. Stairs to the right.
When you see the charming tile by the front door you'll know you're home.
Kitchen counter is handy for quick meals or as an additional food preparation area. Sun-filled window overlooks a private garden next door.
It's easy to cook up a plate of pasta after a full day of sightseeing and walking.
Cheers! Toast the sunset and listen to the church bells toll as you relax on the terrace in the evening with a glass of Chianti.
The terrace entrance from the upstairs landing. To the right is a charming little wall fountain.
Charming view looking down the street.
View from terrace in other direction of terracotta rooftops and the neighborhood. Just one block more and you're at the Arno river.
The king size bed can be make up as a dual king or two twins. Lamps on nightstands provide reading light.
Bedroom has a beautiful antique marble-topped dresser. Throw open the shutters and let in the morning sun.
A beautiful antique armoire in the corner of the bedroom provides good clothing storage space.
The bedroom, also with a decorative fireplace and reading nook by the window.
The bedroom seating area is nice place for reading or enjoying afternoon tea.
Bathroom windows admits plenty of natural light. There is a large cabinet to the left of the sink with plenty of storage space for toiletries.
Step up to the fully-enclosed shower. Heated towel racks are an extra touch that you'll enjoy.
Maurizio provides a warm welcome at Casetta. Maurizio is a longtime family friend who is practically a brother to our extended family.
We snapped this early one summer morning from the Ponte Vecchio. There's a rowing club just across the Arno river by the Uffizi Gallery.
Wander up the Costa dei Magnoli to see this enchanting derelict old building and garden.
Entrance to the stately building that houses Stanford's Florence campus is one block down from the house.
Only two blocks from the house is a bakery that specializes in typically Tuscan treats. Take home pizza by the slice for a quick meal.
Just beyond the Ponte Vecchio is a wonderful little glove shop with a colorful selection of in a rainbow of colors.
This beautifully painted house in the Casetta neighborhood was once a residence of Galileo. You'll find it on the Costa dei Magnoli.
Walk up the street and take in this view. Just past lantern in lower right corner is where to turn into tiny Piazza de' Bonsi.
This a world that moves at a slower pace. Door buzzers are engraved in brass since the same families have lived here for generations.
A lone rower on the along the Arno river very early on a still summer morning.
A view of the Casetta as you approach it from the tiny via del Canneto.
Tiny Via del Canneto is another route to the Casetta, but is only wide enough for pedestrians, bikes and motorini.
Only in Italy does the corner mini market carry eight varieties of tomtoes!
When it's fresh porcini season make sure you try a local pasta speciality made with these delicious mushrooms.
The famous Ponte Vecchio is only a few blocks from the apartment.
Taken on a sunny winter day this is the picturesque Ponte Vecchio bridge near the Casetta.
Only a 7-minute walk from the Casetta is the Uffizi Gallery seen here in this photo. The rowing club is just below.
Lving room sofa converts to two, independent, comfortable twin beds. Pretty handpainted Florentine china cupboard in the background.
These boots are made for walking...good shopping just down the street from Casetta.
Beautiful spring leather goods on display at one of the many nearby boutiques.
Cuttng edge retail design on display in a shop window in Florence.
Force yourself to get out of bed early and see the sights at dawn before the crowds.
Piazza Santa Croce
The morning outdoor market at nearby Piazza Santo Spirito has a colorful variety to top quality produce.
Seasonal produce tempts.
One of the Oltrarno area's many artisan workrooms. This is an upholsterer's shop.
Along with the arrival of spring comes fresh asparagus beautifully displayed at the market.
Tempting variety of cool gelato.Once we spotted a blue gelato - flavor was labeled "Viagra"!
Residents of the neighborhood used to put their wine flask in the little niche it to be refilled by the little basement wine shop below!
Close up of the wine filling window - an early "drive thru window" concept.
Tuscan artisans hand paint these beautiful majolica ceramics. a shop near Casetta has a nice, if pricey, selection.
Orphanage had a rotating turntable until 1875. Babies were left anonomously at night, turntable rotated to awaiting nuns inside.
Across the river is the Ospedale degli Innocenti, a famous orphanage still in operation today.
This depressing hotel room is about the same price per night as Casetta & shows what a better value apartment rentals in Italy can be.