Welcome to this fully renovated luxury and panoramic penthouse in central Florence. Discover the magical atmosphere that only Florence can offer, by renting our beautiful “home from home”, just metres from the world famous Pontevecchio and the stunning Piazza della Signoria. Charming is certainly the word that best suits this house. As is one of a kind and simply the best. Located in the heart of Florence, just metres from the Santa Croce church and the Piazza della Signoria square, the Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio, discover a rare rooftop apartment that offers a truly magnificent view of the city and surrounding hills. The flat is located inside a wonderful historical building which was once the house of the embassy of the Duchy of Milan during the 15th century. It is situated on the 4th floor ( 86 steps without elevator ) but once you reach the top the full 360° breath-taking view will leave you speechless. The property has undergone a recent renovation to further enhance its endless beauty and traditional 15th century features. This new look has refreshed both the downstairs and upstairs, making the apartment even more cozier and confortable for guests to enjoy. The original red terracotta floors now shine white and some of the antique furniture has been re-modelled to achieve a more modern and stylish approach. The flat develops on two levels, on the first floor you can find the bright and spacious master bedroom with en suite marble bathroom and shower, and a second bedroom which can be either double or twin. Both rooms are boast charming views over the red florentine rooftops. A second bathroom with shower can be found too. A charming staircase leads you to the even more "romantic" second floor. This is a truly unique and fascinating space that hosts a lounge, dining area and a fully equipped kitchen. Nine incredible windows, spread all around the room illuminate and offer a breath taking view of Florence (Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce, The Duomo ... ), without forgetting the two exclusive panoramic terraces, furnished for unforgettable outdoors meals and for simply enjoying a glass of wine whilst admiring the mesmerizing views. All the materials used for the construction of this apartment are unique and original, dating back to the 15th century: the pavements are made of florentine terracotta and the ceilings of wooden beams. The apartment is exceptionally convenient for guests wishing to explore the city centre and visit Florence's main attractions. No need for a car, bus or taxi! You can enjoy this wonderful city, all is within max 10 minutes by walk. This is a prime location for sightseeing and entertaining, the area is vibrant but very safe and has plenty of shops, restaurants and theatres all very close. The apartment is absolutely quite, up here there are only birds singing and tower bells noises. It’s a magical place!! The apartment is also located two blocks far from one of the best italian restaurant: the famous Enoteca Pinchiorri. It is a delightful and cosy, 110 sqm penthouse with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It has undergone a beautiful make-over. There is taste and elegance in every detail and the unique combination of contemporary design and style, alongside the structure’s original renaissance features, have been perfectly intertwined to create a setting for the most memorable of stays when travelling away from home. The apartment has been furnished with a great attention to detail and boasts stylish light fittings and quality furniture. The apartment has been furnished with a great attention to detail and boasts stylish light fittings and quality furniture. The property can accommodate a total of 4 people and is perfect for two couples or a family wishing to share one large “home” together. The ensuite master bedroom is another impressive space – its king-size bed sits beneath a prettily decorated ceiling. Furthermore, the apartment comprises a wonderful open plan kitchen with beautiful windows that allow in light even on the darkest of days. The two panoramic terraces provide wonderful views over Florence's hills and most incredible monuments such as Palazzo Vecchio. Close to beautiful Piazza di Santa Croce, you’ll find many cafés and restaurants – and a fair few museums – nearby here. Our mission statement for this apartment is to create memories that will last a lifetime and for it to become not only our home but your home too. Its focal point is the open space called the ‘’laboratorioculinario’’ where we want you to enjoy the Italian “dolce vita” - laughter, conversation, eating and drinking. Infact, in the kitchen you will find our own personal family recipe folder in the hope that you may return in the evening and wish to prepare some traditional Italian delicacies to share with your family and friends. Furthermore, you need have no worries about cleaning the apartment or making the beds each day as we offer a full maid service. You may also wish to hire a private chef to prepare gourmet meals or perhaps travel in style with your personal driver for airport transfers, day trips and excursions or simply enjoy retail therapy at one of Tuscany’s renowned outlets. An additional charge is applicable for these services. Please enquire for further details. The apartment comes with an initial welcome pack of bottled water, basic items for cooking such as oil, salt, pepper, sugar, coffee pods, washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, washing powder and toilet roll; as well as 2 small bottles of shower gel, shampoo and body lotion per bathroom. This is of course a self-catering apartment and guests are reminded that they can purchase items to last the full length of their stay directly at the local stores or supermarkets close by, some of which do not close until 9-10pm. Please note: Due to the historic nature of the City and age of the buildings occasionally essential remedial works have to be carried out in the neighbourhood or to adjacent properties at short notice. Although every effort is made to keep this work to an absolute minimum, it may at times cause a little disruption and we trust our guests will appreciate and understand this. The apartment is 100% yours! The Gardener however will sometimes come to the property on Thursday mornings from around 12-1pm to tend to the plants on the terraces. We do not live on site but our expert and passionate team are just a message or a phone call away. Anna is our Property Manager who you will have been in touch with during the booking process, Erika is our local Check In and House Manager who you will meet for Check In, and Marco and Mariano are our wonderful maintenance men! Florence is a treasure trove of art, history, and culture, offering visitors an unforgettable experience. The area provides a taste of authentic Florentine life where you can explore art, history, and craftsmanship while enjoying delectable Tuscan cuisine. The apartment is located in the vibrant Santa Croce district on the eastern edge of Florence’s historic city centre. The area takes its name from one of the city’s most remarkable churches. The Santa Croce neighbourhood provides a rare glimpse of “old” Florence with lively markets and tiny leather and artisan workshops, including the flea market (Mercato delle Pulci) at Piazza dei Ciompi. The Mercato St. Ambrogio, the city’s second main food market after the Mercato San Lorenzo, is within close walking distance too. Furthermore, the area is just a stone’s throw from some of the city’s main cultural attractions such as the Bargello Palace, which houses one of Italy’s most important museums, the Casa Buonarroti, (the former home of Michelangelo), Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio, not forgetting the magnificent Santa Croce church and museum. You will also enjoy the largest selection of boutique shops, bars and typical restaurants and pizzerias within the city. Three of the finest and most expensive restaurants, Cibreo, Pinchiorri and Alle Murate are located nearby. There is also a good choice of mid-priced options. By night, Santa Croce becomes one of the liveliest parts of town and with its pedestrianised streets and illuminated buildings it transforms into the perfect venue for an after-dinner glass of wine or evening stroll. For those choosing an apartment in this area Santa Croce offers several food stores, supermarkets, laundrettes and individual gift shops as well as being adequately served by the local public transport service. Walking: Florence's city center is very compact and best explored on foot. Most of the attractions are within walking distance of each other, and strolling through the charming streets is a pleasure. Many of the streets are pedestrian only or limited to taxis and private driver service only. Self-Drive: We do not recommend attempting to drive a car through the city! For more information on driving and parking in Florence please ask us! Public Transportation: Florence has an efficient bus system managed by Autolinee Toscane which connects the centre to the neighboring towns and suburbs, but we do not recommend guests using the buses to visit the city centre of Florence. You can purchase tickets at news-stands and tobacco shops or on the bus itself. Consider the Firenze Card for access to museums and unlimited bus rides. Taxis: Please note that Uber does not exist in Florence. Unlike many other major cities in Europe, you can’t simply flag a taxi in Florence from the street. You will need to walk to a designated taxi stand or call one of the local radio taxi companies. Taxi stands can be found outside of most tourist attractions, main squares and transport hubs. For example, Piazza Della Indipendenza, Piazza Duomo, Via il Prato, Porta Romana, Stazione Campo di Marte and the Airport. If the weather is bad or you are travelling late at night, calling one of the Florence taxi services may be your best option. There are two major taxi companies in the city: - Taxi 4242 and Taxi 4390. You can also use these apps: Taxi Move and App Taxi (available on both App Store / Android). For more information and sample rates click here. We recommend booking in advance especially if you require more than one vehicle. Bicycles: Cycling around Florence can be a unique and interesting way of visiting the city. There are many bicycle rentals stores such as: - Florent: Via della Mosca, 10r, Florence By Bike: Via S. Zanobi, 54/r and E - Bikes Florence: Via S. Gallo, 97R Private Car with Driver service: Hire in Italy is a local limo company that can organise all your transport requirements both within Florence and beyond. Explore the options and take advantage of sightseeing en route during your arrival /departure transfer or enjoy a day trip around Tuscany. Advance reservations are required! Contact Hire in Italy well in advance for a quote. Please kindly remember that there is NO lift and there are 86 steps to climb to reach the top floor where the apartment is located. The views are worth the climb! Plus we offer complimentary wine ready for you to enjoy on the terraces which overlook beautiful Florence!