Giorgio's place in Ortigia is simply fabulous. My friends and I were stunned when we entered and saw our lux new digs for two nights. The rooms are huge and spotless and the cooks among us were salivating over the kitchen. We never did get a chance to cook but we loved our time there nonetheless. I especially appreciated having hotel quality pillows and towels after coming from less fancy digs in Catania. The location is just perfect, very close to the Apollo ruins and just steps away from boat rentals and the gorgeous market.

What makes this place really special, however, is the treatment that Giorgio and his lovely parents pay to guests. They'll pick you up at the bus station and have prepared walking tours that are preloaded onto ipods that they provide. Mama's car wouldn't start when she picked my friends and me up--she was mortified but it was no problem at all. What we got instead was a lovely walk to the apartment with a sweet and gracious lady. I forgot to ask Giorgio for a ride back to the station at the end of our stay but he cheerfully agreed to drive us on short notice. He and his family are a class act and the apartment, with its great location and wonderful amenities, should not be missed.