To put it simply, both Mauro and the apartment are amazing. We booked this trip for our honeymoon, knowing we aren't particularly into 'beach and 5* hotel' holidays. When we arrived, we booked a taxi from the airport and with our limited Italian managed to give our driver a vague idea of where we wanted to go. We arrived and were met by Mauro at the most magnificent crossroads with beautiful architecture. We walked about 2 minutes down a cobbled street and the apartment was right there! It was perfectly located in the middle of the bustling city of Palermo. Everything was just minutes away on foot. Cathedrals, churches, the Modern Art museum, an amazing market, shops, restaurants, bars - all immediately on your doorstep.

Mauro was excellent and spent a good hour showing us with a map exactly where to go. He really wants you to live like the Palermitans themselves, and recommends his favourite places - almost all of which we visited and loved.

The apartment was clean, spacious and very charming. It really was picturesque, and we loved having the balcony doors open and listening to the hustle and bustle of the city.

Overall, this was by far the best holiday we have ever had, and Mauro was the perfect host. I would definitely recommend Mauro and this apartment in particular to anyone wanting to experience the 'real' Palermo.

I also recommend visiting the restaurant opposite the modern art museum. I cant remember its name, but you come out of the apartment and turn left, and walk for about 30 seconds. There is free WIFI on that whole courtyard, a beautiful little café, a gorgeous monument and the restaurant that has amazing food and service. We went there 4 times in 6 days!