The Toscanella is a spacious, comfortable apartment located in the Oltrarno area of Florence, only a few minutes walk from all the major sites. The 1130 square foot apartment (105 sq. meters) was remodeled to high standards and features quiet bedrooms that overlook an inner courtyard and a terrific open-plan kitchen. The narrow street is only one car wide, meaning little through traffic and relaxed strolling along the streets. It is located on the second floor with kitchen and dining room windows overlooking the street. It is a one-flight walk up to the apartment, there is no elevator.

The Toscanella living room has a very comfortable sofa and two matching upholstered armchairs. The living room windows overlook the quiet inner courtyard of the building, which features a little fountain and trees. Beamed ceilings, characteristic of Tuscan architecture, add a charming touch. This is a perfect area for gathering, chatting about the day ahead and regrouping at night for cocktails or just hanging out reading or watching movies on the DVD player. The sofa opens up into a double size bed. In an alcove off the living room is a beautiful antique writing table with phone, fax machine and high speed Internet access. The desk area is well-lit with overhead halogen downlights. If a working vacation is in your plans you can have the conveniences of a central Florence location, but still be in touch with the home office. Large, nice apartments such as Toscanella, with high speed Internet access, are not easy to find in the historic center of Florence. Even finding Florence vacation apartments with a fixed phone line is challenging and this apartment has both!

To the left of the living room is an open-plan dining room and spacious kitchen. The living room, dining room and kitchen have terracotta tile floors. The beautiful burnished chestnut wood antique dining room table seats up to 8 people, and is a delightful spot to gather and enjoy leisurely meals. Just around the corner from the apartment you can select fresh produce at Piazza Santo Spirito's open-air market.

The large kitchen with pale beechwood cabinets is a chef's delight, with the latest appliances and conveniences. And because it opens onto the dining room you won't feel cut-off from rest of your group while preparing meals. The stainless steel work surface that spans the length from one wall to the other contains the stove and sink. The opposite counter is creamy beige terrazzo. Above the terrazzo counter is a beechwood counter for casual meals for two, a quick breakfast or the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine while meal preparation is underway. A skylight brings in additional light to the room. There is a 5-burner professional quality gas stove, a full refrigerator with separate freezer section, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, toaster, electric oven, American-style coffee maker, several sizes of Italian stovetop espresso makers, electric juicer, immersion blender, top quality pots and pans. In fact, a well-known local chef has used the apartment on occasion to conduct cooking classes - a real testament to the quality of Toscanella's kitchen!

The master bedroom, second bedroom and bathrooms are down the hallway beyond the living room. The hallway, master bathroom, master bedroom and second bedroom have glossy mahogany stained hardwood floors, easy on the feet and warm in the wintertime. The master bedroom is at the end of the long hallway and has a window overlooking the internal courtyard. It has a king size bed, top quality firm mattress, and a large closet.

The versatile second bedroom features a bunkbed and trundle combination that can be made up as two or three twin beds, or a dual-king plus a twin. There is a small window and a closet. The upper bunk has an ingenious, space-spacing collapsable desktop that can be lowered to make a desk surface, or raised up and folded out-of-the way when making up two of the twin beds as a dual king bed.

The master bathroom is large and elegant, with a long terrazzo countertop, heated towel racks, a fully enclosed shower, bidet, toilet and halogen lights. A hairdryer is provided. The small second bathroom has a toilet and small sink. The shower has a curtain surround. This bathroom is functional, with clean white tile throughout, but is more like a ship-style W.C., so best serves guests who don't mind a bathroom that is functional yet small, as space is limited.

The third bedroom is set apart from the other bedrooms, and is just off the front entry area, before the living room. It has a single twin bed, a dresser and a window overlooking the inner courtyard. It's simple and sweet, perfect for an extra guest, nanny or teenager who wants privacy.

We're partial to Florence's Oltrarno (meaning Over the Arno) area. It's quieter then the downtown area, abounds with great restaurants, and is just over Ponte Vecchio bridge to the 'Magic Kingdom' of downtown Florence. The location of Toscanella is ideal for exploring all of Florence and the tiny street has a quaint, neighborhood feel to it. You'll start to recognize locals as they come and go, kids play soccer in the street and nearby piazza, and local merchants will recognize and greet you as you frequent their establishments. Yet it's only a few minutes walk to the center of town. No exaggeration - the Ponte Vecchio is a few blocks away, as is the Uffizi Gallery! The Pitti Palace is right around the corner. The majestic Boboli Gardens are just a few blocks away ard are a lovely spot for strolling and picnicing.

The apartment is named for the street on which it is located: tiny Via Toscanella. The 15th century buildings on this block were once the royal bakery for the Medici family. Imagine entire generations of bakers in residence, keeping the ovens stoked day and night, year-round to serve up fresh bread for the famous Medici family that lived a block away at the Pitti Palace. On those hot August days it must have been a real 'Dante's Inferno'! The name Toscanella comes from a gentleman named Toscanelli Dal Pozzo whose home was at the end of the street closest to the Pitti Palace. The street is very narrow, just wide enough for one car to pass. This is located within Florence's pedestrian thoroughfare, so is accessible to residents, taxi and delivery vehicles, but is closed to through traffic. Guests can obtain a special permit for temporary car access during business hours to the street.

Around the corner, along Via Guicciardini which runs in front of the Pitti Palace, are shops, restaurants, wine bars, and cafes. The streets in this area are lined with artisan shops where famous Florentine crafts such as furniture making, gilding, faux painting, picture framing, and bespoke shoe making, are still passed from generation to generation. Many of these crafts had begun to die out a few years ago, as the younger generation spurned these old crafts, but in recent years there has been a resurgance of interest in carrying on the tradition. Peer into artisan workrooms and notice that it isn't just ancient "Gepetto" (the carpenter of Pinocchio fame) tinkering away, but you are likely see several young people working alongside as well, and this warms our heart. Charming Piazza Santo Spirito is around the corner. In the mornings it features a small open-air produce and housewares market, where locals come to get fresh fruits and vegetables for today's lunch and dinner, or even inexpensive housewares. At noon the restaurants lining the piazza open up and provide a welcome spot to enjoy meals al fresco. There are several language schools on this piazza, so the Toscanella apartment is convenient if you want to spend time in Florence taking an intensive Italian language course. Several of our favorite restaurants are only a block away from the apartment. One of the most famous restaurants in Florence frequented by locals and tourists alike, Quattro Leoni (Four Lions), is one block away. One guest reported that she and her husband spotted actor Kevin Costner and his new bride seated next to them. There are two handy alimentari (mini markets) within one block where you can buy diary products, wine, cheese, cereal, and deli items.

The spaciousness of Toscanella, fantastic central location, charming neighborhood, comfortable living room, excellent kitchen, stunning master bedroom AND high speed Internet access are top features of this apartment.


Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to make a booking. This is a non-smoking apartment. No pets please.


Click on the floorplan for a larger view

Euros Price:
Low Season
Up to 4 people 7 nights €1285, 6 nights €1212, 5 nights €1056, 4 nights  €533
5-6 people 7 nights €1335, 6 nights €1259, 5 nights €1097, 4 nights €1030
7-8 people 7 nights €1400, 6 nights €1320, 5 nights €1150, 4 nights €1080

High Season
Up to 4 people 7 nights €1715, 6 nights €1617, 5 nights €1409, 4 nights €1323
5-6 people 7 nights €1765, 6 nights €1664, 5 nights €1450, 4 nights €1362
7-8 people 7 nights €1790, 6 nights €1688, 5 nights €1470, 4 nights €1381

Includes utilities up to a generous 15 Kwh/day
4 night minimum except Easter, Christmas, New Year's when 1 week minimum applies

Bedrooms:
Sleeps up to 8: Master bedroom with king size bed, second bedroom with 3 twins that can be made into a dual-king + twin, third bedroom with 1 twin, double size sofabed. A portable crib is available upon request.

Bathrooms:
2 bathrooms: Master bathroom with fully enclosed shower, sink, toilet and bidet. Second bathroom with toilet, sink, shower. Hairdryer provided.

No. of Guests:
Up to 8 people.

Size:
1130 square feet

Washer:
Washer - Yes. Dryer - No. Clothes drying rack, iron & board provided.

Kitchen:
Fully equipped kitchen with professional quality gas stove, dishwasher, electric oven, microwave, toaster, American-style coffee maker and Italian espresso pot, electric juicer, full refrigerator with freezer.

Telephone, Internet Access & Fax:
Fixed phone line, loaner cell phone, high speed DSL Internet access and fax machine.

Satellite TV, VCR, CD, DVD Player:
Yes

Air Conditioning, Heat, Window Screens:
Yes, throughout the apartment.

Linens:
Linens and towels are provided.

Neighborhood:
Excellent central location in the historic center with easy walking access to all the historic sites. The Ponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace, Uffizi Gallery, Duomo, Piazza della Signoria are only a few minutes walk. Many excellent local restaurants in the immediate area, a small grocery store & deli is on the same block. Piazza Santo Spirito, with outdoor cafes, restaurants and daily open-air market, is two blocks away. Good shopping along the charming streets.


Click on the map for the location