I spent a whole month at Ivanas and Claudios place in Palermo.
Everything is as described...It's central.. Five minutes from the central station, and the bus stations(s). Five minutes in the opposite direction, and you find the famous Bellaro market, and a Supermarket. On the same road as the apartment, there are numerous convenience stores open till late, and also Carrefour supermarket. And the best gourmet takeaway of sicilian delicacies (friggitoria)is on this road.Five minutes on the other side is via Maqueda, where there is the tourist office, teater Massimo, and Politeama. Close by is the archaelogical museum, the royal palace, and the cathedral.
The flat itself is tastefully decorated, and apart from some purchased paintings, there are also sculptures created by Ivana, in the living room. My room was a few steps up, and it could accommodate three although I stayed alone. I appreciated this arrangement since I got extremely good quality of sleep. I had a private bathroom, a fridge and tv,and an ac that cooled fast!
The best part of staying here was: Ivana and Claudio. They are both very accomplished, and I was lucky to have met them. Claudio is extremely knowledgeable regarding everything sicilian be it local food or the filming of the Godfather! He works for a tour operator, and takes tourists all over Sicily. He is the type of person you want to meet when visiting a strange country. He speaks good english. And Ivana... she is something else! She is about to get some higher degree that would qualify to get a senior post in a museum..ie, She knows a lot about art, archaeology, history, culture philosophy etc. She has taken part in an opera, as well as having arranged a composition about flamenco. And her espresso tastes better than the one at cafe Nero near the station!
They have the talent of making one feel at home
Yes, I would love to stay here again.