The Lucia Florence apartment that is located in the most upscale area of the historic center of Florence, an easy walk to Piazza della Repubblica, the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and Uffizi Gallery. Step out the door of the apartment building and find “miracle mile” Via Tornabuoni just half-a-block away, lined with wonderful shops, luxury hotels and designer boutiques. In the morning stop in at the bakery that is next door to the apartment building and pick out your morning bread and pastries. In the afternoon you might find yourself tempted by the delicious array of delicate cookies for tea time or dessert. Only a few blocks away is a large news agent that has newspapers and magazines in every language. At night, enjoy a glass of wine and relax a bit before you head out to one of the many excellent neighborhood restaurants. On the same block as the apartment are several good cafes and restaurants, making it so convenient if your feet are crying for mercy after a busy day filled with sightseeing.

Neighborhood abounds with historic sites, restaurants, shops. The apartment building is located at the intersection of Via della Spada and Via della Vigna Nuova where they form a triangle off Via Tornabuoni. Around 1740 (recent by Italian standards!) Pietro Leopoldo, Grand Duke of Tuscany, decided to rename the streets of Florence. At that time the name Spada, meaning "sword" was chosen for this street. Some city historians believe that the name was selected since the straight direction of the street somewhat resembles "una spada" -- that is, a sword. Via Spada is located where the first circle of Roman walls surrounded the city, as the ancient walls ran along what is now Via Tornabuoni. Historians believe that Via Spada was the continuation, from east to west, of the ancient Roman road which includes Borgo degli Albizi, Via del Corso and Via Strozzi.

The Gucci store is directly behind the apartment building, the Robert Cavalli boutique is right outside your front door, the Gianfranco Ferre store is at the end of the block, the Tod & Hogan store is around the corner, Salvatore Ferragamo's flagship store and shoe museum are only a 2-minute walk away.

The Lucia Florence apartment complements our popular Prisco, Strozzi and Michaela Florence vacation apartments which are located in the same building. It is located on the third floor of a Reniassance building with elevator, off a gracious private hallway. It’s a nice retreat from the bustling streets of central Florence and gives you a glimpse into the daily lives of Florentines who live and work in the historic center.

For larger parties in need of multiple apartments it can be booked, if desired, in conjunction with the Prisco, Strozzi and Michaela vacation apartments, making it convenient so that familes and friends can be together yet each have their own private apartment.

This roomy studio apartment fits the bill for an affordable and well located historic center Florence vacation apartment. The most important feature is the fantastic, central location in the best part of town.

The outward facing window makes this a sunny apartment. There is a new trundle-style sofa bed that can be made up as a queen or two independent twin beds. The website photos show the old fold-out sofa which was replaced in July 2010 with the new, more practical and comfortable trundle style sofa bed, photos of the new sofa bed are not yet available.

There is a large armoire for clothing storage.

A dining table seats two people. A credenza holds dishes and a small television. The kitchenette with attractive hand-painted tiles is best for light meal preparation.

The tiled bathroom is off the private entry hallway once you step through the Lucia apartment's front door. It has in internal facing window. The corner shower with curtain is the old-fashioned type with no floor plan, it drains to the center of the bathroom floor.

Polished terrazzo tile floors throughout are cool in warm weather. There is a ceiling fan. A supplemental electric fan can be provided upon request. Free WiFi is a nice feature as is the loaner cell phone available upon request.

Location	Center

Sleeps	2

Bedrooms	Trundle-style sofa bed that can be made up as a queen or 2 twin beds

Bathrooms	1 bathroom with shower, sink, toilet and bidet

Floor	2nd European, 3rd American

Elevator	Yes

Accessible & Ample	8 steps up to elevator which will fit a wheelchair if collapsed

Size	260 sq ft, 28 m2

Hair Dryer	Yes

Dining	Table seats 2

Kitchen Equipment	Kitchenette with small refrigerator, microwave, 2-burner electric stove, Italian and drip coffee makers. No oven, no toaster.

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

Air Conditioning	No. Electric ceiling fan. A portable electric fan can be provided upon request.

Heat	Yes

Utilities	Included

Transportation	Public transportation nearby

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

Crib	Upon request

Neighborhood	One block off fashionable Via Tornabuoni, abounds with historic sites, two alimentari (little grocery stores) & a bakery on the block. Three blocks from Piazza della Repubblica, one block from Palazzo Strozzi.

Entertainment	Satellite TV receives English language news channels, CD player with radio.

Telephone	Loaner cell phone available, no landline phone

Internet	High speed WiFi throughout. Computer with DSL in shared workroom available free to Prisco, Strozzi, Michaela, Lucia apartment guests.

Linens	Provided

Pets	No

Smoking	No

Family Suitability	Too small for families except for a baby under age 2 sleeping in a crib.

Cleaning	Final cleaning included

Euros Prices

High Season €720/6 nts...€840/7 nts...€960/8 nts...€1080/9 nts...€1200/10 nts..€1632/14 nights..€2150/19-30 nts

Low Season €600/6 nts...€700/7 nts...€800/8 nts...€900/9 nts..€1000/10 nts..€1360/14 nights..€1800/19-30 nts

Please request a quote for stays of 11 to 18 nights.

2010 High Season March 27 thru Oct 31, Christmas & New Year's. 2010 Low Season Jan 3 thru March 26, Nov 1 thru  Dec 17

Sorry no Sunday arrivals. 6 night minimum booking period. 1 week minimum holiday weeks. The price includes WiFi, loaner cell phone, taxes, final cleaning and utilities.