Staying in Lorena's apartment was a fantastic choice for our trip to Ortigia. We were enthusiastically welcomed by her boyfriend, who helped us upstairs with our luggage, provided us with a comprehensive overview of the apartment, and advised us on how to get around and what to do on the island. The furniture is comfortable, the A/C works well, and everything is relatively close by.

I will point out a few minor issues that arose, which travelers will want to be aware of. First, we arrived on a Sunday afternoon. General/Grocery stores in Ortigia are generally closed in the afternoons, and particularly on Sundays. There was not very much toilet paper in the apartment (or tissues or paper towels) and I had caught a cold while in Rome. So, we spent a fair amount of time trying to find some basic household goods that evening, to no avail. Also, while the upper terrace has even better views than the picture depicts, the nice umbrella portrayed is no longer there. We discovered a much cheaper umbrella on site, which was already broken when we arrived. After reporting this to Lorena, her father quickly arrived, and attempted to rig some shade with the broken umbrella. He reported that they had gone through a number of umbrellas which had been broken due to high winds, and he was planning on implementing a more sturdy and permanent solution for shade in the future. He then proceeded to provide an even more extensive explication of Siracusa's history and recommended activities while in Siracusa. While I was very impressed by his hospitality and attempt to provide a solution to the lack of shade, the solution did not last very long (I took apart his "solution" later that evening, to prevent further destruction to the umbrella). Future renters should be aware that this issue may or may not have been resolved, and if this is important to them, should inquire before booking.

Other than that, once again, very welcoming and attentive host who immediately replied to any requests or questions I had, in a truly unique and comfortable location.