Essential Italy

We know car choice is important for the enjoyment of your holiday, our supplier – Maggiore Car Rental – will guarantee the following:

• highly competitive prices
• no major tour operator is working with them, therefore we are quite sure that queuing will be kept to a minimum, even in high season
• all cars have air conditioning
• a full and comprehensive back-up system

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We do not book flights, we leave it to you to choose the best departure point and flight times to suit your party. We have compiled a list of airlines flying to those regions in which we offer accommodation.

Flights are from the UK, if you are travelling from elsewhere, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we will recommend an airline flying from your departure point. If you are unsure which airport in Italy is closest to your accommodation, please call us on 01223 460100 or email

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Palazzo Niccolini Florence

During the building of Florence’s Cathedral (1300-1400), most of the houses in the area of the the Piazza del Duomo were demolished, with the exception of those at the north-eastern corner of the newly created square. Some of the latter were located where Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo was subsequently erected. These buildings hosted the workshops of some of the most celebrated Florentine artists. Among them, was the famous sculptor Donatello, who is commemorated by a bust and an inscription on the façade of the Palazzo looking on the Cathedral.

Recently, the residence was completely renovated without altering its features and maintaining the fascination of its past history. Rooms are large, have high painted ceilings, frescoed walls and are elegantly decorated. All rooms have en suite bathrooms, fitted in marble. The whole residence is air-conditioned. The reception room is huge and the buffet breakfast is served here and there is an honesty bar for those late evening drinks.

All the rooms are exquisitely furnished and the best of the bunch is the Dome Suite which includes a fantastic jacuzzi bath and from the windows one feels that you could just reach out and touch the Duomo, the perfect honeymoon location.

The present owners, Filippo and Ginevra Niccolini di Camugliano, personally supervised the renovation works and oversee the residence in all details, in order to ensure that guests be offered a top quality treatment, comparable to that of a luxury hotel.

New in Puglia for 2012

Helen & Sarah have just returned from a very fruitful trip to Puglia...

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