Alessio's home surpassed all expectations. It was beautiful, comfortable, spacious and clean. If you want an authentic experience of Sicilian culture this is the place to stay. Neighbors would greet me from their balconies across our alleyway, and toddlers would blow me kisses. I enjoyed listening in on lively banter from the street below and being among real salt-of-the-earth Italian families. Alessio went above/beyond to make my time there comfortable, including delicious breakfasts with an espresso maker.
While the building vestibule is typically not posh, it's utterly safe, the block and building is filled with families. Neither the beautiful French girl--who was staying there also--nor I had any issues coming and going all hours of the day and night.
Best two weeks of my Euro adventure.