I highly recommend Sandro's apartment in Palermo. We arrived very late because we ran into a lot of road construction, yet Sandro kept in touch and greeted us with a smile as we drove up in front of his apartment. He helped us inside with our luggage, and we were first treated to the beautiful old world charm of the apartment, which is decorated with grace and style. Sandro provided us with a map and many recommendations for restaurants in the area as well as downtown. In the kitchen we found a welcoming package of almond cookies along with a variety of pastries and drinks which we used throughout our stay. The apartment has a dining room that seats six people comfortably and a china cabinet filled with everything you need to set a table. Next, there is a kitchen with everything you need to prepare a meal. There is a large living room with a couch and two chairs to make a comfortable seating area to chat or to watch the big television screen. There are three bedrooms, one at the front of the apartment that has a king sized bed, another toward the back with a large bed also, and off that bedroom is a smaller bedroom with a single bed. The beds are dressed with lovely spreads that reflect the charm of the entire apartment. The back bedrooms open onto a terrace that provides a place to eat outdoors as well as just to sit and enjoy. There is a second, smaller terrace off the living room which is a nice place to sit and read. The bathroom is large with a comfortable rain shower and all the amenities you will need--hair dryer, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. The apartment has very high ceilings and lovely tile floors. Air conditioning is available if you need it. The apartment is located on a bus line that takes you directly into the city near the old town area. Palermo is large and spread out so be prepared to walk or to learn the bus routes. You can buy an all-day bus ticket at the tobacco shop for four Euro and get around easily if you know the routes. We walked extensively and used a tuk-tuk to become familiar with the sights of the city. I recommend the tuk-tuk as it gives an open view of everything, and the driver will stop and wait when you visit a monument or church. We drove up Mount Pellegrino to the church of Saint Rosalia, the patron of Palermo. It is a long switch back drive with some wonderful views of the city and the harbor below. We also went to the beach area for a swim and a light meal in view of all the bathers. If you are not reluctant to spend a bit of money on a meal, I highly recommend the Cuvee du Jour in the Grand Hotel Villa Igiea. The food is well-prepared using fresh, interesting ingredients,...