Does anyone have any suggestions for renting an apartment for two close to the Duomo? Also, I wanted to go to the Cinque Terre during that week. Can you tell me the best public transportation to use. Please be specific if you have suggestions for riding the train, which stations, etc. Thanks!!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Do you have the RS Italy book yet? If not, that's a good starting point, especially since it's loaded with the specifics for how to get to places.
Posted by
OP
Macon, Ga, USA
11 posts
Thanks, I do plan to buy the book. I consider his books "my bible" when I travel.
Posted by
point pleasant beach, nj, usa
646 posts
I use vrbo.com for rentals. They are reliable and have a good selection of apartments.
Posted by
Phoenix, AZ, USA
1035 posts
Here is a good resource: http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/list.asp?r=Florence I stayed here and it was decent: http://www.tuscanyaccommodations.org/uk/Florence_Apartments-7/Piazza_Stazione_Apartments-10/Zanobi_Apartment-243/
Posted by
Western Canada
3124 posts
I have been to Florence 4 times; and last Sept. had an apartment 3 blocks from the Duomo. While the apartment itself was really great, and I had a wonderful view of the Duomo from my lovely little private terrace; I would NEVER stay that close in to town again. All night long the noise was horrendous. Drunks, noisy students, car alarms, people shouting, cars revving ,shop burglar alarms going off. I got hardly any sleep for the 6 nights! Next time I would stay in Santa Croce area or across the river in Oltrarno; away from the Ponte Vecchio, also a noisy spot at night. You can walk everywhere so easily in Florence, so I would highly recommend renting something a bit farther from the madding crowd. If you are interested: this is the place I rented, and I really loved it; just not the noise! http://www.waytostay.com/Florence-apartments-en-229-3923.htm The company was fine to deal with, and answered emails promptly.
Good luck, and I also recommend SlowTrav as a wonderful resource.
Posted by
OP
Macon, Ga, USA
11 posts
Thank you for this post. I hadn't even considered the noise factor. Very valuable information!
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
712 posts
Hi - I just found a fantastic apartment on SabbaticalHomes.com. I have never used them before, but the site is highly recommended and my Italian friend went to check out the place for me and it was just as advertised. It's located on Via della Ruote and although it's not right next to the Duomo, Florence is so compact that walking there will only take a few minutes. There are other Florence apartments listed as well.
Posted by
OP
Macon, Ga, USA
11 posts
Great! Thanks, I will add that website to my list. I appreciate your response.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, United States
174 posts
We also had an apartment through vrbo with a terrific view of the Duomo from its deck, but the bedrooms didn't face that way, the apartment was on a pedestrian street, and I don't remember any noise at all at night. There were a lot of restaurants on the street, but our bedroom faced toward San Lorenzo cloisters.