This apartment may be in the heart of Rome, but there’s something distinctly country-chic about the decor. Period pieces – dressers, doors and the kitchen table – are all rough white-washed and feel rustic. The sound system is vintage, and the armchairs in the living room are upholstered in gloriously kitsch floral patterns. The jewel in the crown of the apartment is the sprawling outdoor terrace, which has sofas in sunny spots for a dose of vitamin D, and shaded nooks under parasols for when the heat gets too much. The bamboo pergola covered a couple of outdoor gas hobs, so you can cook and dine alfresco. Flowers and pot plants bloom for every corner and climb trellises for a bit of privacy. If you want to know just how central you are, just head out to the downstairs balcony and spot the Colosseum at the end of your street.

Home truths:
*There's no lift and the flat is on the third floor of the building
*We found a few scuff marks on the walls, particularly in the bedrooms
*The fake flowers feel unnecessary
*Two people can sleep on a double sofa bed in the living room