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.

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Additional fees

• Your host can help arrange a variety of excursions and experiences for an additional fee – including walking tours, food and wine tastings, private yoga classes and outdoor adventures

• Your host can help arrange bicycle hire, food delivery, and catering for an additional fee

Additional fees subject to a 3.5% handling charge.