Rooftops of Florence

Dining on a glazed veranda as Florence's terracotta rooftops stretch out before you is the kind of evening you'll want to repeat. This top-floor apartment sits in a historic building – complete with lift access, a rare convenience in this part of the city – and the position is hard to beat. Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery, and Santa Croce are all just steps away, meaning you can be back on that veranda with a glass of wine before the crowds have even thinned.

Home truths:
* Air conditioning is only available in the two bedrooms – the veranda dining area and kitchen are not cooled, which is worth keeping in mind during a Florentine summer.
* The entrance to this home is shared with the building's other residents. There are three steps to enter the building, then eight steps to reach the lift. There are also steps within the apartment – worth keeping in mind if any of your group has reduced mobility.
* If you're travelling with little ones, your host can provide a cot and high chair. You'll need to request them in advance.
* There's no real living room here – just an armchair and dining table for socialising space.