My mother and I went to Palermo for a few days for a city break. I wanted a place that was central for sightseeing but also cosy, spacious and comfortable so we could relax, and Yvonne’s apartment delivered on all fronts. The flat is bang in the middle of the old city centre and bang in the middle of Ballarò, which is one of the oldest markets in Europe. Ballarò is fascinating because it’s a real market, not a pretty area for tourists: you’re a short walk to all the gorgeous monuments and museums, but you’re also in the heart of real Palermo, which is also noisy, scruffy and has a mad energy. In the middle of the Ballarò bustle Yvonne’s flat is a warm and elegant space: it’s beautifully furnished, has great central heating and we happily spent the early afternoons lounging around watching films. The flat also has lots of hot water, fluffy white duvets, gorgeous views from the terrace and kitchen: it’s the perfect calm and clean space in the middle of the busy city. Yvonne is also a great host, she met us very late at night, gave us lots of information and even supplied breakfast / coffee / wine. We felt very welcome and hopefully we’ll be back soon!