Overall: Better than average! We started off with a little construction noise upstairs and were dismayed, but the management was very good about postponing work for a month or so! It should not be a factor at this point (summer, 2012). The building is in a fairly quiet location. We miss hearing the church bells in the distance! Occasionally people can be heard as they walk home after imbibing too much but nothing compared to most rentals located in piazzas. It is generally very quiet. The apartment is on the top (fifth) floor. The view of the Uffizi museum and gallery is splendid! Enjoyed Most: Location location location! The view out the window of Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Arno River is terrific, although you do have to open the window and crane your head out a bit to see the bridge. Took lots of great pictures from the apartment. The WiFi was always reliable. Mauro the portiere in the lobby is always cheerful and Giuseppe, the handyman, was too. Enjoyed Least: The third bedroom has small twin beds--really only good for very small adults or children. I used the closets and drawers for my clothes, etc. The television had only a few English Channels (all news), and also typical of Italy, there is no clothes dryer but they have a drying rack we kept by the kitchen window. Surrounding Area: The views are splendid and the location is greatly convenient to public transportation, the grocery store, restaurants and our favorite local hairdresser (Enzo and Luigi at Mauro near the Ponte Vecchio) and cappuccino place. A new smoothie place opened near our building. On Via Bardi just behind our apartment there is an elevator that takes you up one flight toward the Villa Bardini. You walk uphill through the garden the rest of the way and there's a little cafe there and great views. Nearby Events or Locales: We were in the heart of the historic district of Florence on the Oltrarno. (The other side of the Arno from the Duomo). We had a car (super expensive to park and you can't drive in most of Florence so we don't recommend one) but it was nice to drive out to Greve in Chianti and to the coast. We used the car for major grocery shopping at the superstore Esselunga which had a wonderful variety. Tips or Restaurants: I will have to add this information later but for sure have Sunday brunch a few blocks away at Il Rifrullo. Very local and nice people. You can walk up the stairs to the Piazzale Michelango from there. Cammillo's nearby is good as well, and offers gluten-free pasta. We had a hard time changing dollars and travelers checks at banks (some days they'll exchange money, some days they won't!) so suggest you use ATM's. If you need a larger amount use the bank across the street from the Pitti Palace nearby. Directions: You can have their driver Alessio pick you up from the airport or any taxi will find the address. There are always taxis at the airport. By the way, when you use the apartment phone to call a taxi, they know your address automatically and the cabs always came within 3 to 4 minutes! They confirm the address "Lungarno Torrigiani 33 (or Trenta -tre)" and then they tell you how long and the taxi number that will pick you up. Check In Out: I already suggested they have better instructions for the dishwasher and washing machine during check-in. Just put the washing machine on number 6!