As a student travelling solo, arriving at Federica's Casa di Gioia was like finding an oasis right in the heart of Palermo - central, comfortable, clean, very well-equipped and quiet. I also felt very safe walking around this area at night, and there was no shortage of amazing restaurants and bars within 500m of the apartment.
Federica is a very diligent and thoughtful host, with incredible hand -written recommendations for local (and both traditional and cheap) restaurants and bars. She was also so kind as to inform me of one-off live music and performance events in the city at night. Any questions I had, she reliably answered each day with very helpful tips about transport and day trips around Palermo.
Grazie mille Federica!