The First Moon

Palermo is dripping in art, culture, and history, and you can't get closer to that than in this elegant apartment. The monumental palazzo was home to Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, the celebrated author of The Leopard. Although the public can't enter, it's a point of historical interest for many. Palermo is as much of a secretive city as it is beautiful, hiding many of its charms for just a few. For those lucky enough to stay here, they get to experience the feeling of walking through the stone arches of the 18th-century palazzo. Towering columns take you right back to the neoclassical period, which runs effortlessly through the luxurious apartment.

Walking into the apartment is like stepping inside a museum. The walls are dressed with neoclassical paintings, with a hint of contemporary art too. The same goes for the furniture – geometric Aspen di Cassina sofas and the iconic Foscarini lamp live harmoniously with 18-century cabinets and decor. It's an interesting, yet seamless, blend of old meets new. Soak it all in, admiring every little detail of this exquisite home, before pouring a glass of wine and toasting to your first day in Palermo. French doors to Juliet balconies are in the dining room and kitchen. Open them up and invite the sunlight to illuminate the walls, travelling all the way up to the arched ceilings. Sip on your wine as you look out at the courtyard – a taste of the architectural and historical beauty you'll find when strolling through Palermo.

You're just a five-minute walk from the famous Via Roma, lined with shops, cafes, eateries, and bars. Other points of interest such as Teatro Massimo, Palazzo Abatellis, Piazza Marina, and more, are all within a five-to-fifteen-minute walk away too. Try out trattorie-style eateries to get a taste of local life but don't miss out on the chance to eat like kings and queens at the banquet-style dinner table right at home.

Home truths:
*If you're travelling by plane, Palermo Airport is a forty-minute drive away
*At full occupancy, one guest will be sleeping on the upper mezzanine in the first bedroom
*The entrance to this home is shared with the building's other residents
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace
*For bigger groups, guests can book another two-bed apartment in the same building – just ask your host for more details