Bruno was the perfect host, even though we never met face to face. Months before our arrival he sent me a digital copy of the Lonely Planet guide to Palermo, then he was in frequent contact closer to our stay. When we arrived in the city, we knew just how to get to his mother's shop, just a few blocks from the apartment, and she walked us over and showed us everything we needed.

The apartment was easy to access, just a few steps up from the entrance, and it was spotlelss, spacious and beautifully decorated. With several outdoor cafes in the area, the street was noisy in the evening (with the happy sounds of people enjoying themselves), so we kept the windows closed - Bruno had also thoughtfully provided earplugs, although we travelled with our own.

The kitchen was well stocked with the basics, and we were pleased to find we were just a few blocks from a 24-hour supermarket.

The location was perfect, within easy walking of the Teatro Massimo (where we saw a ballet performance), the Teatro Politeama (good location for bus connections), and window shopping.

Thank you, Bruno and Angela, for helping make our visit to Palermo such a pleasant one!