Not many homes let you go sightseeing without even leaving the living room, but this apartment in the heart of Florence does – throw open the window and you're greeted by the sight of the 14th-century Orsanmichele's church. Your living quarters aren't quite as old, but there are a couple of more traditional features – including, look up, the patterned ceiling. A recent renovation has tastefully incorporated more contemporary aspects into the interior design and 21st-century travellers will find nothing to sniff at, especially when the fantastic central location is taken into consideration.

Home truths:
*There's no elevator in the building to reach this apartment on the third floor *The twin single bedroom is on a mezzanine level that might not be ideal for taller guests *The building has no private parking available *This home is in a central spot, so noise is to be expected