August 2007
Tamara Jacobson - Hayden Lake,
Idaho
Thanks so much for the welcome back. The Tonscanella apartment was suberb for our needs and the biggest plus was the location for us. It was so easy to get away from the big crowds and go where we wanted to visit on foot. Your print outs [guest confirmation documents] are very helpful too.
Thanks so much for the welcome back. The Tonscanella apartment was suberb for our needs and the biggest plus was the location for us. It was so easy to get away from the big crowds and go where we wanted to visit on foot. Your print outs [guest confirmation documents] are very helpful too.
July 2007
Adrienne Montare & Tom Savory
Columbia, South Carolina
With our expectations already exceeded in Rome at the Tiberio apartment, we were thrilled to walk in to the Toscanella and see such a beautifully appointed home. This apartment has everything you could ask for. Three bedrooms with great beds and beautiful linens, two state of the art full bathrooms and a chef's kitchen that fulfills every cook's need and whim. With excellent markets nearby, and some of the finest restaurants just steps away, it was a nightly dilemma for the 7 of us to decide whether to eat in or dine out! The small piazza just in front of the building quickly became our second living room. The small, standing-room-only Caffé degli Artigiani just out the front door was a great place to catch an early morning cappuccino with the locals on their way to work. The Il Magazzino Osteria Tripperia (don't let the name discourage you - there's more on the menu than the local delicacy, and they have an excellent list of Tuscan wines) was a favorite haunt and the owner gave us many great suggestions for restaurants in other neighborhoods. Next door is the acclaimed and popular Trattoria Quattro Leoni. Walk over early in the day to make a reservation for dinner if you want to dine with the hip crowd that frequents this place. We only managed lunch there once, as it's packed every night. Though our goal for staying at the Toscanella was to fully experience - if only for a week - the city as a native Florentine might, it wouldn't have been half as easy without Maurizio and his staff. They provided much needed assistance when my childhood Italian was tested, or we needed help negotiating our way around the city. Though a week was barely enough time to see all the major sites we wanted to show our daughters, we were totally enchanted with our exploration of this side of the river. Across from the Pitti Palace is Pitti Ceramiche, a beautiful shop run by two brothers both fluent in English and one of whom is the artist responsible for much of the original hand-painted ceramic wares gracing the shelves. I've looked all over Tuscany for this stuff, and this is hands-down the best shop I've been in with colors and patterns beyond compare. They even reduce their prices by 20% for non-EU citizens and expertly wrap up anything you choose to take with you. Then Anna, of course, just a few doors down on via Guicciardini with those magnificent leather goods. We walked in during a sale, and couldn't believe our luck! Like Pitti Ceramiche, they'll ship home. Even a touristy place like Toscana Mia, also on via Guicciardini, was a find. They carry Tuscan gourmet specialties like Miele di Girasole, the incredible local sunflower honey that goes so well on buttered toast, and sampler packages of assorted Grappa flavors. Their handmade specialty pastas in beautiful packages also made great gifts. And these places are just around the corner from the apartment! There are also two very good supermarkets further down on via Romana and a car park on via della Fonderia. A word to the wise, though, if you're planning on keeping a rental car here. First, the owners have apparently changed in the last year or two, and the new manager is North African with heavily accented Italian and an unusual command of French. English and Spanish won't work here, neither will credit cards. This is a cash only operation now it seems and the equipment is woefully out-dated - as we painfully discovered when we went to pay. The weekly rate for the in-out parking pass is now 120 euros a week - not 40! And the first two or three cards you're issued may not work. Broken gates, unfathomable operation hours (we think the attendant works from 8 at night until 2 in the morning, but we were never sure) and the difficult language barrier aside, the overall convenience of being able to grab your car at any time for a day trip is still worth it. And we'd have to say that this experience (and navigating the one-ways in and out of Florence!) was the only negative one we had during our stay. If we're fortunate enough to visit again with our families, we'll want to stay at the Toscanella for sure!
With our expectations already exceeded in Rome at the Tiberio apartment, we were thrilled to walk in to the Toscanella and see such a beautifully appointed home. This apartment has everything you could ask for. Three bedrooms with great beds and beautiful linens, two state of the art full bathrooms and a chef's kitchen that fulfills every cook's need and whim. With excellent markets nearby, and some of the finest restaurants just steps away, it was a nightly dilemma for the 7 of us to decide whether to eat in or dine out! The small piazza just in front of the building quickly became our second living room. The small, standing-room-only Caffé degli Artigiani just out the front door was a great place to catch an early morning cappuccino with the locals on their way to work. The Il Magazzino Osteria Tripperia (don't let the name discourage you - there's more on the menu than the local delicacy, and they have an excellent list of Tuscan wines) was a favorite haunt and the owner gave us many great suggestions for restaurants in other neighborhoods. Next door is the acclaimed and popular Trattoria Quattro Leoni. Walk over early in the day to make a reservation for dinner if you want to dine with the hip crowd that frequents this place. We only managed lunch there once, as it's packed every night. Though our goal for staying at the Toscanella was to fully experience - if only for a week - the city as a native Florentine might, it wouldn't have been half as easy without Maurizio and his staff. They provided much needed assistance when my childhood Italian was tested, or we needed help negotiating our way around the city. Though a week was barely enough time to see all the major sites we wanted to show our daughters, we were totally enchanted with our exploration of this side of the river. Across from the Pitti Palace is Pitti Ceramiche, a beautiful shop run by two brothers both fluent in English and one of whom is the artist responsible for much of the original hand-painted ceramic wares gracing the shelves. I've looked all over Tuscany for this stuff, and this is hands-down the best shop I've been in with colors and patterns beyond compare. They even reduce their prices by 20% for non-EU citizens and expertly wrap up anything you choose to take with you. Then Anna, of course, just a few doors down on via Guicciardini with those magnificent leather goods. We walked in during a sale, and couldn't believe our luck! Like Pitti Ceramiche, they'll ship home. Even a touristy place like Toscana Mia, also on via Guicciardini, was a find. They carry Tuscan gourmet specialties like Miele di Girasole, the incredible local sunflower honey that goes so well on buttered toast, and sampler packages of assorted Grappa flavors. Their handmade specialty pastas in beautiful packages also made great gifts. And these places are just around the corner from the apartment! There are also two very good supermarkets further down on via Romana and a car park on via della Fonderia. A word to the wise, though, if you're planning on keeping a rental car here. First, the owners have apparently changed in the last year or two, and the new manager is North African with heavily accented Italian and an unusual command of French. English and Spanish won't work here, neither will credit cards. This is a cash only operation now it seems and the equipment is woefully out-dated - as we painfully discovered when we went to pay. The weekly rate for the in-out parking pass is now 120 euros a week - not 40! And the first two or three cards you're issued may not work. Broken gates, unfathomable operation hours (we think the attendant works from 8 at night until 2 in the morning, but we were never sure) and the difficult language barrier aside, the overall convenience of being able to grab your car at any time for a day trip is still worth it. And we'd have to say that this experience (and navigating the one-ways in and out of Florence!) was the only negative one we had during our stay. If we're fortunate enough to visit again with our families, we'll want to stay at the Toscanella for sure!
May 2007
Dick Baldwin - Seattle,
Washington
We were well pleased with both places [Toscanella in Florence, Flaminio in Rome]. Their locations are excellent and the facilities are very comfortable.
We were well pleased with both places [Toscanella in Florence, Flaminio in Rome]. Their locations are excellent and the facilities are very comfortable.
April 2007
Joan Ma - Brooklyn, New York
Our trip was absolutely lovely, however, with glorious weather for the entire ten days in both Venice and Florence. The Toscanella apartment was perfect for us. I loved the location - it's great to be able to walk a short way and be away from the crowds, and also wonderful to be surrounded by good and easy food shopping and restaurants. We had dinner at Trattoria Casalingua one night and Trattoria Quattro Leoni another, and enjoyed them both fully, though the former was definitely the bargain of the two! The internet set up was perfect as my husband had his laptop with him and we were able to check things on the internet and be in touch with home and work. My son and nephew were very happy with the big TV and it's internet connectivity, though I found the living area to be the least appealing part of the apartment, dominated as it is by that TV! Check in and check out was seamless and pleasant, as was dealing with you initially in setting up our arrangements. And as I said on the phone, the materials you provided beforehand were well organized and informative and they proved to be comprehensive and very helpful. Thanks for everything. We will recommend Italy Perfect to others.
Our trip was absolutely lovely, however, with glorious weather for the entire ten days in both Venice and Florence. The Toscanella apartment was perfect for us. I loved the location - it's great to be able to walk a short way and be away from the crowds, and also wonderful to be surrounded by good and easy food shopping and restaurants. We had dinner at Trattoria Casalingua one night and Trattoria Quattro Leoni another, and enjoyed them both fully, though the former was definitely the bargain of the two! The internet set up was perfect as my husband had his laptop with him and we were able to check things on the internet and be in touch with home and work. My son and nephew were very happy with the big TV and it's internet connectivity, though I found the living area to be the least appealing part of the apartment, dominated as it is by that TV! Check in and check out was seamless and pleasant, as was dealing with you initially in setting up our arrangements. And as I said on the phone, the materials you provided beforehand were well organized and informative and they proved to be comprehensive and very helpful. Thanks for everything. We will recommend Italy Perfect to others.
March 2007
Debbie Miller - Newport Beach,
California
We were extremely pleased with the apartment. It worked beautifully for us, we loved the location. We would be happy to refer ItalyPerfect to any friends visiting Florence.
We were extremely pleased with the apartment. It worked beautifully for us, we loved the location. We would be happy to refer ItalyPerfect to any friends visiting Florence.
October 2006
Ellen Behm - Arlington Heights,
Illinois
Our visit to Italy was amazing. Florence was so great. I loved the location of the apartment. Tucked away, yet so close to everything. It was also a great configuration for us.
People in Florence were wonderfully friendly. My father-in-law visited some of the local artisans, and took some pictures of their shops. There's a guy at Santo Spirito who was making wonderful carvings of hats and other objects, and my father-in-law was welcomed into his shop. The weather was perfect. It was so nice to have a full week to wander around, with no big plans.
Well, I guess I can't give you full credit for everything about the trip that was great, but I did want to say that I appreciate your professionalism, including your great follow-up. I will recommend your company without hesitation, and will look forward to staying in another of your properties in the future.
Our visit to Italy was amazing. Florence was so great. I loved the location of the apartment. Tucked away, yet so close to everything. It was also a great configuration for us.
People in Florence were wonderfully friendly. My father-in-law visited some of the local artisans, and took some pictures of their shops. There's a guy at Santo Spirito who was making wonderful carvings of hats and other objects, and my father-in-law was welcomed into his shop. The weather was perfect. It was so nice to have a full week to wander around, with no big plans.
Well, I guess I can't give you full credit for everything about the trip that was great, but I did want to say that I appreciate your professionalism, including your great follow-up. I will recommend your company without hesitation, and will look forward to staying in another of your properties in the future.
May 2006
Jane & Mike Eakin - East Calais,
Vermont
We loved the apartment, Florence, the guide books, the kitchen, the washing machine, the shower, the laundry racks, the neighbors, the neighborhood, and most especially the ever cheerful and vocal Mocking Bird! Mr. Miranda and Eliza were wonderful and helpful, Eliza even went with us and helped find the parking lot. The trip was a great success and mostly due to your wonderful apartment and all the details.
We loved the apartment, Florence, the guide books, the kitchen, the washing machine, the shower, the laundry racks, the neighbors, the neighborhood, and most especially the ever cheerful and vocal Mocking Bird! Mr. Miranda and Eliza were wonderful and helpful, Eliza even went with us and helped find the parking lot. The trip was a great success and mostly due to your wonderful apartment and all the details.
November 2005
Bud Siemering - Arlington,
Virginia
We loved the location and the Toscanella apartment. The kitchen was great too. I have given your name to lots of my friends. Vickie and I are thinking about our next trip to Florence already.
We loved the location and the Toscanella apartment. The kitchen was great too. I have given your name to lots of my friends. Vickie and I are thinking about our next trip to Florence already.