Budget Friendly Activities & Apartments in Florence
March 20th, 2017Florence is a great place to maximize your time and your budget. The art is astounding, the food delicious and the relatively compact size of the historic center lets you pack a lot of sightseeing, eating and enjoyment while savoring many breathtaking sites. And, with careful planning you can stretch your budget with many rich, yet modestly-priced, experiences. ... Read More
Behind-the-Scenes Italy Perfect Florence Video
February 20th, 2017Enjoy an insider’s view of a vacation rental inspection trip, an important aspect of our service because we pride ourselves on personally selecting every property we represent. Lisa and Pat Byrne, sisters and founders of Italy Perfect, had the good fortune to have sister Madelyn, founder of Paris Perfect and London Perfect, along on their trip to Florence, ... Read More
Ready for Inferno? The movie, that is!
October 14th, 2016Grab the popcorn and settle in for a fast-paced romp though Florence and Venice! If there’s one thing predictable about the various Dan Brown thrillers (Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons) the newest film adaptation, Inferno, it is certain to provide the predictable tension-filled trek as he dodges danger at every turn. ... Read More
Florence’s Bridge of Gold: Ponte Vecchio
September 20th, 2016They say that gold is a safe investment because its value rarely depreciates. In Florence, the stability of gold manifests in a different form: the Ponte Vecchio. Forever fascinating, the neighborhoods on either side of the Ponte Vecchio [Old Bridge] are highly sought-after locations for our Italy Perfect vacation rental apartments. While modern travelers know the bridge for ... Read More
Florence: A Tale of Two (Extra) Davids
September 12th, 2016Why has a single statue managed to capture the minds of millions, held gazes enraptured, struck awe in the hearts of admirers? Maybe it is the story: David, the original underdog manifested in marble. The mind’s eye fills in the gaps: The giant Goliath. The sling shot. Desperation because no “real” warriors have stepped forward, only ... Read More
A Feast for the Eyes: Unforgettable Florence Views
July 25th, 2016The city of Florence has much to be admired. At every turn there are layers upon layers of beautiful views. Here are some of our favorite panoramic views for enjoying the splendor of Florence, whether from a popular tourist site, an off-the-beaten path location or a wonderful vacation rental apartment. ... Read More
Exploring Beautiful Bologna – Day Trip from Florence
May 9th, 2016Bologna is one of the fine cities of Italy, very much worth a visit. The trip from Florence is only 35 minutes by train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Bologna Centrale station, with a train about every 30 minutes. You can buy the ticket directly at the train station or online at this link. ... Read More
Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence
April 18th, 2016A wonderful day trip from Florence is the iconic coastline of the Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre translates in English to “The Five Lands”, a chain of five coastal towns that have never had automobile access. Here you can explore each beautiful town, hike along the coastal trail, dine on seafood, or lounge on the beach. The five villages in order from the ... Read More
What Florence Sites to Book Ahead?
February 22nd, 2016Our guests often ask for advice on which sites to reserve in advance to avoid waiting in long lines. We know those lines so well. I remember a special excursion to Florence years ago with my young son, having driven for 2 hours from our countryside vacation rental. He really wanted to see Michelangelo’s Bound ... Read More
Contemporary Art in Historic Florence
October 19th, 2015Florence is known as the birthplace of modern art, beginning in the 15th century with the Renaissance ‘rebirth’ when Florence became the incubator for a massive burst of creativity and the beginning of the modern era. Renowned as the cradle of Renaissance, it is not known for its contemporary art and Florentines remain skeptical about modern art. Things are slowly changing ... Read More
Five Tuscan Fall Festivals
September 14th, 2015Fall is a great time to enjoy the many seasonal harvest festivals that take place throughout Tuscany which celebrate the rich tradition of food and wine. 1 – GREVE: CHIANTI CLASSICO WINE FESTIVAL This enticing wine festival is held every year in the city of Greve, in the Chianti area, on the second weekend of ... Read More