The stay at Elena's apartment was much more than I could have anticipated. The apartment itself was like a little oasis after a day's exploring, and had all the creature comforts of home. It was spotless and contemporary in its design and amenities, with everything at your fingertips - I felt that I wanted for nothing. I stayed part-way through my travels around Italy, so it was lovely to be able to catch up on the necessities, like washing, without having to trudge around the city looking for a self-serve laundrette. The apartment was also spacious, so it made for a welcome change from the confines of rooms in B&Bs and hotels, with space to spread out and make your own. I thoroughly enjoyed just being able to relax with a drink on the balcony with the sounds of the city and the canal below for company. For those travelling alone, I can say the area was not only central - right in the heart of Bologna - but also safe. I felt very comfortable returning on my own in the evenings. By the end of three nights, it felt like home. I really didn't want to leave. Meeting Elena and her daughter on arrival was also an absolute pleasure - they made me feel welcome immediately and provided a number of fantastic 'local' tips on places to see and restaurants to visit - sorbetterias included! Elena also checked in with me a couple of times over the weekend to make sure everything was alright, which was wonderful and made me feel that, if there had been any problems, I could have called and it would have been no troubles. A wonderful experience. Do yourself a favour and forget about choosing anywhere else for accommodation in Bologna!