If I could give Antonio ten stars for my stay in Palermo, I would. What a fabulous elegant well appointed apartment. If something was lacking, Antonio made sure I had it quickly. I rented the apartment for a month and needs are different when you spend more than a few days in a vacation home. Whenever a problem arose, Antonio took care of it, immediately. At A Casa di Rosa, you really have the feeling you are in someone’s home and not in a rented apartment. There’s a lovely large terrace which I did not take full advantage of as the weather was cool and often rainy in February and on beautiful days, I preferred to get out and see museums and churches and go for long walks. Others have noted that when you arrive, you are welcomed with a bottle of Italian “champagne” and a platter of nibble food, both as appetizers and desserts, including cassata and almond paste cookies. No need to go out to dinner that first night…. Although not in the central part of town, you are not far, and there are two bus lines with stops nearby that can get you almost everywhere. The apartment is filled with guidebooks and maps for all of Sicily. Antonio has noted recommendations for restaurants and shops nearby on local maps. I love to cook and was quite surprised to find well beyond a normal rental kitchen’s offerings. Of course, there was a microwave and good oven and 4 gas burners and a large refrigerator/freezer but there was also a food processor and a blender and an electric juicer. To make your stay easier, Antonio has umpteen bottles of wine and beer and juice and spring water available for which you pay when you leave but you don’t have to go out and buy them. Available for your use during your stay is coffee and tea and basics: sugar, delicious family-made olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, dried basil and rosemary. There were plenty of linens, towels, cleaning and beauty products for your personal use. The apartment is immaculate. The internet connection is excellent: fast and consistent. There is a TV both in the living room and in the bedroom. I watched the Olympics as I wasn’t bothered by the Italian and could depend on the images, although as with each country, there was more coverage when the Italians were participating and most coverage was live, meaning at 3 to 7 a.m.! The neighborhood has everything within 3 blocks: supermarkets, grocery stores, small outdoor vegetable and fish stores, street vendors, good restaurants, excellent pizza and roast chicken around the corner. As I mentioned, two bus lines are a block from the apartment. Sicilians in the area could not have been nicer: a bus driver that let you ride for free because there’s nowhere nearby to buy bus tickets, restaurants that charge less than is on the bill, takeout that wants you to try other foods they make. If you...