Three years ago some friends and I stayed at the Palazzo Antellesi in a three bedroom apartment, the "Donatello." This May I have booked the same apartment for my daughter and husband, son and wife, and various grandchildren. Frankly, if the Antellesi had not been available, I would have stayed home!

The apartment is very spacious. While my son watches CNN in the living room, a daughter-in-law stirs up a snack in the kitchen, and grandchildren work a jigsaw puzzle on the huge dining room table, I can be stealing a much-needed nap in one of the bedrooms. Tomorrow morning there will be no competition for the shower, as each of the 3 bedrooms has its own bath. And the game didn't have to be dismantled either, because Bill has gone around the corner to pick up fresh croissants on the Via Neri and breakfast will be in the breakfast room. Maybe Maureen will run a load of laundry in the washing machine (though working it takes a bit of practice for Americans), and Kate will be mapping our day - always walkable to just about anywhere in Florence from our central location on the Piazza Santa Croce. And the best part comes after dinner, when we can share experiences of the day and laugh together in the spacious living room.

We've shopped for our own groceries and paper products, but it's fun to mix with the natives, the kids have their favorite cereal, and everything else is provided. You'll fall in love with apartment living the first night you really need a grilled cheese sandwich at 11:00.

Vicky, the Manager, speaks wonderful English and is there to help with anything we need from a driver to cleaning help.

The apartments are part of a 16th c. palace - informal and comfortable. Decor is definitely Florentine - you'll know you're not staying in a Holiday Inn. Two of the smaller units even have terraces.

Problems? We did have an occasional lack of hot water from one or another faucet, but there was always another bathroom to borrow, and tomorrow we may be the lucky ones! And of course, the washing machine...

Cost? It sounds expensive when you first look at it, but if you can spend at least two weeks in Florence (a great base for day trips by train, bus, or private car), it's quite reasonable. With utilities, you won't spend more than $100 per night per bedroom...and you'll be living and feeling like Florentines.