Fresco Dreams

If you're after something special, this is it. The living room of this Florence apartment is crowned by a frescoed ceiling – the kind of architectural detail that makes this home feel straight out of the Renaissance. The main bedroom matches the drama, with soaring ceilings, arched windows, and plenty of space to unpack. There are also two sofa beds in the lounge, and with a view of the fresco, they’re far from a compromise. Tucked into a residential pocket of the city, away from the tourist bustle, you get the best of Florence without the hassle – yet you're still within walking distance of all the main landmarks.

Home truths:
* At full occupancy, two guests will sleep on the two single sofa beds in the living area.
* The building has a lift, but it's on the small side – some guests said it was too small to fit a pushchair. The doors are also narrow, but that's to be expected in a heritage building.
* The apartment sits within Florence's ZTL (limited traffic zone). If you're arriving by car, you'll need to obtain a daily pass linked to your vehicle's number plate to avoid fines.
* The windows are single-glazed, as you'd expect in an older Florentine building, so street noise can filter through at night – passing vehicles, pedestrians, or early-morning city activity.