Arezzo holiday apartment: Arezzo

We looked forward to our stay in Tina's apartment as the reviews on the site were enthusiastic, the pictures were attractive and we were keen to return to Arezzo after a brief stay three years ago. In all respects, the experience was better than we could have expected. This was the best of the four apartments we stayed in during our 6 1/2 weeks in Italy.

Tina picked us up at the station and took us to the apartment as agreed. Being in the historic centre of the town it has easy access to all attractions and it is an unexpected pleasure to have one's own spacious garden in the middle of the narrow lanes and cobbled streets.

Tina then threw in one of the touches which made our experience special, by giving us a tour of the central part of Arezzo to point out places we might like to use during our stay: for coffee, dining, gelato and so on as well as buying supplies for our own cooking. This gave us a much better feel for the town than the usual settling in package consisting of a map and a few brochures.

The apartment was clean and fully equipped with linen, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. It also has an internet connection which enabled us to keep conveniently in touch with friends and family as well as to listen to internet radio from time to time. Tina provided a "care package" which meant that it would not be necessary to go out shopping for supplies immediately on arrival. One thing worth mentioning is that there was a problem with the gas alarm while we were there which Tina arranged quickly and efficiently to have repaired.

Among the useful material which Tina provided was a brief introduction to some of her own favourite places around the town as well as a visitors' book which described the experiences of many of her previous guests. These pointed us to some hidden treasures and there were still many for us to discover for ourselves.

We used public transport for the whole of our trip and found Arezzo ideal as a base for day trips by train or bus to such places as Florence, Siena, Sansepolcro, Perugia and Assisi. We even ventured as far afield as Bologna for a guided tour from a friend and a lunch appointment. The art and architecture treasures of all these places, as well as of Arezzo itself, would make a longer stay worthwhile.

There is no doubt that we would be only too happy to recommend this property to anyone who asked. We have already told Tina that we would give references to anyone who contacted us.

We were greeted at the train station and taken, by the owner, to a safe parking place where we could leave the car. She took us on a walking tour around the historical center and shared the best places to get good meals, or shops for buying bread, cheese, meats and wine. There was even a farmer's market every morning, for fresh fruits and veggies, just around the corner. There was a huge welcome basket of food on the large table and the fridge had wine, yogurt and other goodies. The kitchen was stocked with more dishes and appliances than I have at home! There were even sharp knives which we've often found lacking in other rental places. We loved our outside meals in our own Italian garden. It was very quiet with lots of birds. We also enjoyed listening to the church bells during breakfast.

The shutters in the bedroom darkened the room totally and the bed was so comfortable that we slept way more than usual. Nice! There were lots of extra pillows, towels, blankets and sheets. The thick walls of the historical building, kept the temperature perfect inside at all times, even when it was very hot outside. Natural air-conditioning, how cool is that?! The water pressure was great and there was lots of hot water. Everything worked, even the free in-room internet and the washing machine, both of which came in handy.

This is a walking city with lots of country walks too, so you must enjoy walking as we do. It's great for the legs since it's quite hilly. Arezzo is in a perfect location for visiting the small towns in the area. There's a whole book of maps and suggestions in the bedroom. Arezzo comes alive in the evenings as people dress up, especially on the weekends, and stroll the main street. I couldn't stop admiring the way the women were able to walk on the rather steep cobblestone streets in their high heels and fashionable outfits. Our vacation was wonderful as you can tell. We can't wait to go back. As this property gets known, it will book up quickly.

My husband, adult son and I had a wonderful week in Arezzo. The owner of the apartment, Tina, was very hospitable and made us feel so welcome. She went to no end of trouble to make our holiday one to remember and want to return. A beautiful basket of "goodies" awaited us on arrival. The well equiped kitchen was ideal for preparing our own meals, or alternatively the location, right in the centre of the old town made it easy to take a short walk to some excellent restaurants or coffee shops. The apartment was spotlessly clean and nicely furnished, well heated making it a real home away from home. Arezzo is central to other Tuscan towns such as Florence, Siena, Cortona and Tina was a great tourist guide in helping us make the most of our sightseeing. The convenience of being on the ground floor meant not having to drag bags up flights of stairs and opening out onto the garden meant we could enjoy the tranquil setting.