Hi John:

Just to give you a London update if you have not been here.

The homes, St. James and Palace View are very different

The St. James home is overlooking St.James palace, very traditional and does not have air conditioning or heating, so in the summer it can be very hot, and in the winter because it has many windows can be very cold. The decorations in the home have a Laura Ashley feel ( but more whites) and the layout is nice, with the master suite having a family room connected.

The Palace View looks completely remodeled and feels like the NYC Bravo apartments (very moderm) except on three floors.

The problems are that the steps up to the first floor is very narrow--so if you are carrying lots of luggage be prepared to carry it up a long flight of stairs before you get the elevator that takes you to the bedrooms on the 3rd floor or the kitchen/dining on the 4th floor-. The elevator here is problematic and they are working on it, but the response time is very very slow-you almost feel like you have to hit the sweet spot before the doors will close properly going down.

The location of both homes is fantastic and if sight seeing--this is probably one of the best locations anyone can have.

I am here right now and the water in the palace view went down , so they put me up in 47 Park Street for 3 out of 4 nights.

FYI, I asked them for a Standard Operating Process on how to handle situations where the home is not liveable and also procedures for compensation.

In the past year, my family and I have had 4 plumbing situations
Paris Ave Ilena--master bathroom out
Grand cru-- jacuzzi heater out
Kolea 5 bedroom-- master bathroom out
Palace View--no water for 3 days.

I don't know if you have had the same problem with facilities.

Hi Asia,

Sorry for the late response...The Quintess Florence property is in a very good area. Although we did walk to town, a young child could not do it. Maybe one way down to town, but definitely NOT back up the hill to the home. Two adults from our group chose to take a taxi home after walking to town.

If you want to rent a car for seeing the countryside, by all means do it. We did and we had a great time just exploring Tuscany. It cost about $1000 for a six passenger van for a week...plus gas! Do not attempt to drive into historic downtown Florence as it would be a headache. Parking is impossible and you cannot get much closer to town than the home itself. Just call a cab for a quick ride to downtown Florence, but you are right...no going back and forth.

As far as the restaurants, there are a couple within short walking distance of the home. We did eat at Omero and it was fair. The setting is fabulous but we must have ordered the wrong thing. I had the Tuscan beef something or other and it was dry. Our friends ate there the night before we arrived and wanted to go back the second night. They said the first night was better. Order the pasta. I think it is worth trying. There is another restaurant nearby but we actually cooked in all the other nights so I cannot make a recommendation. We were fortunate to have friends who are great cooks and so we just ate lunch out every day, but stayed in for dinner and wine! We shopped for food during the day and cooked it each night. If our group did not include great cooks, I would have arranged the chef to come in.

When are you going? There is a nice swimming pool if the weather is warm. The grounds around the home are fun to explore and you get a great view of downtown Florence if you walk up by the castle. See if the local host can arrange a tour of the two Tuscan villas. We were able to view the one near Rodda and met the people staying there. They treated us to some wine and we reciprocated the following day as they visited us in Florence. (hopefully the guests will be friendly enough to let you come in) The Rodda villa is quite remote. It is absolutely beautiful but the Florence property is in a better location. Much more to do from that starting point.

Have a good trip!
John J

Hi John J:

Had a few more questions about Florence?

Did you have a chance to try any of the restaurants they recommend
Boccadama

Bocanegra

Quattro Leoni

Il Guscio

Golden View

Omero (closest to the home)

and did you use the home chef service.

It looks like the house is far from the city--spend about 40 euros a day just going downtown--so once your out of the house, its probably not a good idea to come back and forth--you either eat in the city and come back very late. Were there any good restaurants by walking distance to the house. We have small children on this trip, so if kids get tired and we call it a day--we need to find restaurants that we can walk to from the house. we have 12 people so spending 120 euros a day just to go into the city everyday, i am almost thinking of renting a car and driving back and forth--not parking in the city-but just having a car in case of emergency

thanks for any info in advance.

Hi John J:

Had a few more questions about Florence?

Did you have a chance to try any of the restaurants they recommend
Boccadama

Bocanegra

Quattro Leoni

Il Guscio

Golden View

Omero (closest to the home)

and did you use the home chef service.

It looks like the house is far from the city--spend about 40 euros a day just going downtown--so once your out of the house, its probably not a good idea to come back and forth--you either eat in the city and come back very late. Were there any good restaurants by walking distance to the house. We have small children on this trip, so if kids get tired and we call it a day--we need to find restaurants that we can walk to from the house. we have 12 people so spending 120 euros a day just to go into the city everyday, i am almost thinking of renting a car and driving back and forth--not parking in the city-but just having a car in case of emergency

thanks for any info in advance.