Our stay at Cristina's place was excellent. She is a wonderful host and the door to the apartment opens out into a great garden. Sferracavallo is a quiet area at the edge of Palermo but it is separate enough that it feels like a small town. There is an excellent opportunity for walking in the adjacent Riserva Naturale di Capo Gallo. Also recommend going to Panificio Graziano and buying the ricotta a forno. Eccelente!