Sabrina picked us up from the airport on time and navigated the chaotic streets into the city with expertise.
The directions to the apartment were comprehensive – a modern lift took us and our suitcases up to the first floor and her daughter Danea greeted us and showed us around the apartment. Danea was full of local knowledge and information and told us about the music festival taking place during our stay. She also gave us inside info on where to go, including where to find the best cannoli in town (Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, where the sweets are recreated from ancient recipes of the nuns) – and she wasn’t wrong.
The place is regal, with high ceilings, huge windows and doors and its furniture and fittings are in keeping with this incredibly historical place. It is well stocked with tea, coffee biscuits, plenty of implements, there was plenty of toilet roll, washing up liquid, etc, There is also a tiny balcony from where we could hear the bustle of Palermo life taking place, however, said bustle continued into the wee hours nightly and light sleepers may struggle.
Along with the flat came the offer of a ‘taxi service’ by several drivers, all female, and we took advantage of a day trip to Mondello with Silvia, for 50euros there and back. Mondello is a beach resort, refreshingly untouched by tourism, and we spent a wonderful time swimming in the sea and drinking beer in a beachside bar, finishing the day with a delicious gelato from Latte Pa as Silvia rocked up bang on time.
We had a wonderful stay, met some amazing, beautiful people at the nearby New Art bar and would heartily recommend the location to future travellers to Palermo.