This is an excellent Florence apartment if an historic center location and affordability are top priorities. The Michaela studio apartment in Florence is a perfect retreat from Florence's busy downtown streets, and is most definitely more spacious and affordable then comparably priced Florence hotel rooms, plus you'll have the added benefits of a kitchen, washing machine, large bathroom and sofa area for relaxing.

The apartment is located on Via della Spada just off of the high-fashion Via Tornabuoni, with numerous major designer boutiques just outside the front door of the apartment building. You can stroll along downtown Florence pedestrian thoroughfares, enjoying outdoor cafes, easy museum access due to the central location, plenty of shopping, restaurants and the best produce market, the Mercato Centrale, all within walking distance. This is the Florence you see in the postcards and glossy coffee table books. The Piazza Reppublica only a few blocks away, the Uffizzi Gallery, the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio bridge an easy 5 to 10 minute walk. Just down the street is the famous Palazzo Strozzi. Going in the opposite direction, the Santa Maria Novella train station is an 8 minute walk. The perfect location of the Michaela apartment will help you appreciate the village atmosphere of Firenze.

If you're looking for a chic neighborhood and a convenient stopping point at the end of a busy day of sightseeing, the Michaela studio apartment offers the perfect solution. The Gucci store is directly behind the apartment building, the Robert Cavalli boutique is right outside your front door, the Tod & Hogan store are around the corner, Salvatore Ferragamo's flagship store and museum are only a 2-minute walk away. Or, if your dream has been to attend language or cooking school in Florence for several weeks, this apartment provides a comfortable home base for your sojourn.

The apartment was completely remodeled in 2004. It is located on the 3rd floor U.S. (this is called the 2nd floor in Italy) of a four-story apartment building which has an elevator. Once you enter the building there are 6 steps up to the elevator.

There are two outdoor cafes, two tiny grocery stores (alimentari) and several restaurants right on the block where the apartment is located. The Gucci store is directly behind the apartment building, the Robert Cavalli boutique is right across the stree, Salvatore Ferragamo's flagship store and show museum are only a 2-minute walk away.

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 Michaela studio was once part of an extremely large family apartment that has since been divided and remodeled. Our other vacation rental ItalyPerfect Prisco and Strozzi apartments were also part of this large apartment, and are located down a private hallway from Michaela. The Michaela studio is down the hallway, on the quiet backside of the building.
The apartment is approximately 275 square feet, and has a large picture window that admits lots of morning light. However, if you want to sleep late there is a blackout shade and drapes to shut out the light! The window overlooks the quiet internal courtyard and service terraces of other apartments. The big advantage to this is the peacefulness for a central Florence location.

The sofa is brand new and opens out into a roomy queen-size bed (actually, it is 3 inches wider then a queen). The mattress is also new from a high-quality Italian manufacturer. Between the living area and the bathroom is a large double-door closet

There is an efficiency kitchen, with all new appliances, a two-burner stove top, microwave/grill, toaster, under-the-counter refrigerator and Italian-style coffeepot. You can enjoy meals at home at the round dining table that seats up to four people. The kitchenette is fully stocked with dishes, pots and pans. Shop in the morning at the nearby Mercato Centrale for fresh produce, pasta, artisan breads and pizzas, and cook up a simple meal back at the apartment for lunch or dinner. Or pop down the street to the little corner market and pick up a bottle of wine, salami, cheese and olives and enjoy a light meal at home. The bakery just down the street has excellent Tuscan breads, pastries and cookies.

The bathroom is excellent with ample halogen lighting, a large fully enclosed shower, toilet, bidet and heated towel racks. The counter top is spacious and there is very good under-the-sink storage for towels and toiletries. A hairdryer is provided for guests' convenience.

If you want to be right in the center of Florence, don't want to stay in a hotel room, and have with all the sites within a few minutes walk, the Michaela apartment is a great choice.

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 floor plan for a larger view.

Euros Price:
Low Season
€560/7 nts..€530/6 nts..€460/5 nts..€430/4 nts
2 weeks: €845
3 weeks: €1000
4 weeks: €1130

High Season
€715/7 nts..€675/6 nts..€590/5 nts..€550/4 nts
2 weeks: €1000
3 weeks: €1145
4 weeks: €1215

Request a quote for shorter stays, 4 night minimum except Christmas, New Year's and Easter 7 night minimum

7 night stays include a €10 utility allowance, prorated for shorter stays. Utilities charged separately for stays of over 1 week.

Sorry no pets, no smoking

Bedrooms:
Sleeps 2: Studio apartment with queen sofa bed.

Bathrooms:
1 bathroom: Fully enclosed shower, sink, toilet and bidet, halogen lighting. Hairdryer provided.

No. of Guests:
1 or 2 people.

Size:
275 square feet

Elevator:
Yes. Access to the elevator up 8 steps from the lobby. 3rd floor U.S. (2nd floor European designation)

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

Kitchen:
Fully equipped efficiency kitchen with two burner stove, microwave/grill, toaster, Italian & drip-style coffee pots, under-the-counter refrigerator.

Telephone & Internet:
A loaner cell phone is available for guests' use. WiFi throughout. Computer with DSL available free of charge located down private hall in workroom shared with Prisco, Strozzi, Michaela apartment guests.

Air Conditioning & Heat:
Yes

TV, CD Player, Radio:
Satellite TV receives English language news channels. CD player with radio.

Linens:
Linens and towels are provided.

Security:
Good. The neighborhood is regarded as extremely safe. The apartment is accessed through a locked downstairs door, then through a private entrance hall on the 3rd floor.

Neighborhood:
The most central and fashionable area in the historic center of Florence, where all the designer shops are located. The area abounds with major historical sites, restaurants and cafes. It is easy to walk everywhere as all the major sites are reachable by foot. The Michaela apartment is located in the best part of downtown Florence off the famous Via Tornabuoni.The train station is an 8-minute walk away. Plentiful local shops include a bakery on the same block, two alimentari (little grocery stores) with local specialties, restaurants, cafes. Only 15 minutes away by foot is the famous Florence Mercato Centrale, the large, covered market where you can get the freshest meats, produce, cheeses, flowers, pasta.


Click on the map for a larger view.