A dusk you'll hear the church bells tolling throughout Florence as you enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace. In the morning stroll a few blocks to enjoy a coffee at a nearby cafe or pick up fresh bread and the bakery.

Our most popular Florence property is a charming little gem of a house right in the heart of Florence, a rare find. Many guests return year-after-year for a stay at Casetta Bonsi which sets the "gold standard" for location, good value, and high marks from our guests. The little terrace is one of the most admired features of this Florence apartment. Stroll two short blocks and you're at the famed Ponte Vecchio. This is an wonderful house in an excellent historic center location, close to the action but situated in its own little piazza on the Oltrarno side of the Arno river so that you can escape and relax on the terrace while listening to the sound of church bells tolling throughout majestic Florence. Because it is a private, standalone house, a rarity in a major city like Florence, guests have maximum privacy. It has modern amenities and comfortable furnishings accented by lovely Tuscan antiques.

The Casetta Bonsi della Ruota house is an excellent home-away-from-home very near the famed Ponte Vecchio. Tastefully decorated, you'll cherish the privacy and convenient access that this house offers. Cross the Ponte Vecchio going towards the Pitti Palace, take a quick left and walk up one steep block and you're home in few minutes after a morning of sightseeing, an afternoon of shopping or a meal at one of the many restaurants nearby. If you prefer, stroll down the street and enjoy an espresso at an outdoor cafe and people-watch. Just on the other side of the river is the famed Uffizi Gallery, only a five-minute walk from the house. The Duomo, Palazzo Signoria, and the Medici Chapel are only a few minutes walk away.

The area offers many beautiful walks for exploring the less crowded parts of Florence, including the Forte di Belvedere and the beautiful Bardini Gardens, where Via dei Bardi becomes Via San Niccolo'. Nearby are the Bardini Gardens and Villa Bardini which were once part of the private estate of Signor Bardini, a wealthy antiquarian and have been recently restored.

Only a 5-minute walk is a handy small grocery store as well as many other neighborhood resources such as a bakery, cafe, public parking garage and many restaurants.

The tiny Piazza Bonsi directly in front of the Casetta Bonsi is used by local residents to park their motor scooters so you may hear the sounds of the motor scooters starting up outside the house, which is typical in the historic center. Because the house is uphill one block, it discourages noisy pedestrians walking by and since the access street is narrow, one way and serves only the neighborhood, there is very little through traffic.

One of the most surprising aspects is that this is truly an independent house, on tiny Piazza de' Bonsi. It was built in 1890 by the Florentine Bonsi della Ruota family and was completely remodelled in 2002. As you enter the house, the living room and kitchen are to your right, and the staircase to the second floor is directly in front of you. The house has Italian terracotta tiles throughout the main living area, up-to-date kitchen and bathroom and charming decorative touches throughout.

The spacious living room has a delicately painted Venetian china cupboard, Tuscan dining table and chairs, and a comfortable sofa that converts into two separate twin beds. Enjoy breakfast in the at the little counter that overlooks the private garden of the villa next door. Off the kitchen is a small laundry room with washing machine and utility sink.

The bedroom is upstairs with a divisable king bed which can be made up as 2 twins and beautiful Tuscan armoire and marble-topped dresser. Off the upstairs landing is the terrace where you can sip your morning espresso or enjoy a glass of wine as the sun sets over this dazzling small city. The bathroom is nicely appointed, clean white tile and Carrara marble, an enclosed shower, bidet, good water pressure, lots of storage and halogen lighting.

Location	Ponte Vecchio

Sleeps	2+2

Bedrooms	1 bedroom with divisable king bed which can be made up as 2 twins. Sofa bed in living room converts to 2 twin beds.

Bathrooms	1 bathroom with fully enclosed shower, sink, toilet and bidet, heated towel bars (in winter).

Floor	Two-story house

Elevator	No

Accessible & Ample	Internal staircase with banister to access master bedroom, bathroom, terrace. 1 short steep block uphill to reach house.

Size	800 sq ft, 75 m2

Balconies, Terraces, Views	Terrace with views of rooftops, Arnolfo di Cambio's belltower has small fountain, patio table and 2 chairs.

Hair Dryer	Yes

Dining	Dining table seats 4. Terrace table seats 2.

Kitchen Equipment	Full refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, combination microwave/small oven, toaster, drip & Italian coffee pots.

Laundry	Washer - Yes. Dryer - No. Drying rack, clothesline, iron & ironing board provided.

Air Conditioning	A/C in the bedroom only

Heat	Central heating

Utilities	15 Kwh/day utility allowance

Transportation	Public transportation nearby

Parking	Automobile not recommended. Public garage 2 blocks away, about €35/day

Crib	Upon request

Neighborhood	2 blocks from the Ponte Vecchio Bridge on Oltrarno side of river, just across from Uffizi Gallery. Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens nearby.

Entertainment	Satellite TV receives English-language news channels. Multistandard DVD player and small selection of English language movies.

Telephone	Loaner cell phone available, no landline phone

Internet	High speed WiFi Internet access €4/day. Free loaner computer upon request.

Linens	Included

Pets	No

Smoking	No

Family Suitability	Good for families except toddlers due to internal stairs

Safety and Security	Hotel-style safe is provided

1-2 People High Season €1170/wk..€1105/6nt..€960/5nt..€905/4nt

3-4 People High Season €1405/wk..€1325/6nt..€1155/5nt..€1085/4nt

1-2 People Low Season €1010/wk..€950/6nt..€830/5nt..€780/4nt

3-4 People Low Season €1210/wk..€1140/6nt..€995/5nt..€935/4nt

Our most popular Florence property is a charming little gem of a house right in the heart of Florence, a rare find. Many guests return year-after-year for a stay at Casetta Bonsi which sets the "gold standard" for location, good value, and high marks from our guests. The little terrace is one of the most admired features of this Florence apartment. Stroll two short blocks and you're at the famed Ponte Vecchio. This is an wonderful house in an excellent historic center location, close to the action but situated in its own little piazza on the Oltrarno side of the Arno river so that you can escape and relax on the terrace while listening to the sound of church bells tolling throughout majestic Florence. Because it is a private, standalone house, a rarity in a major city like Florence, guests have maximum privacy. It has modern amenities and comfortable furnishings accented by lovely Tuscan antiques.