Staying at Antonio's apartment in the fabulous Palazzo Cattolica was really a dream. As soon as you step into the courtyard, you know you're in a very special place. It's rather like walking onto a film set, even down to the vintage cars in the parking bays. The grand stairwell is extraordinary in its crumbling beauty. The apartment, right up at the very top of the stairs, is a small oasis in this busy city, full of charm and quirky details. I stayed with my parents and our two small daughters and we all loved it. The location also couldn't have been better. Beautiful and bustling streets, very lively at night (but quiet in the apartment), and within walking distance of most of the main places you'll want to visit. There are also numerous great restaurants around, and Antonio's personal guide book was very helpful (just be warned many restaurants aren't open on Sundays and Mondays so call in advance). Palermo is a magical city, and was a real surprise and delight to us as it was our first visit. We didn't meet Antonio as he was away, but we spoke on the phone and he was extremely helpful - thanks for the cot and leaving the toys out for the girls! One point to note is that if you have a small toddler with occasional suicidal tendencies you do need to stay very vigilant as they could easily take a swan dive off the mezzanine floor or even crawl through the banisters on the grand stairwell, but ours survived and staying at the Palazzo Cattolica will certainly be a memorable experience for them. We'd love to come back! Many thanks, Antonio, for sharing such a beautiful place!