Save the date for the wedding of Salma & Stefan
September 28th & 29th, 2018
Palermo, Sicily
More information to follow
Please RSVP by June 18th
Hotel Principe Di Villafranca
This unusually stylish small hotel, located close to the fashionable shopping area of Viale della Liberta, has an intriguing library of books, surprisingly including a huge Welsh bible. The intimate II Firriato restaurant, headed by chef, Piero Viola, offers inventive Italian dishes at reasonable prices, while the friendly staff that serve you are endlessly patient with non-Italian speakers. The X factor? The beautiful reading room and a well-stocked bar, housed in an inlaid wooden cabinet. Another highlight is possibly the world's most lovable lift - a painted door opening onto a glowing interior lit with fairy lights.
Via G Turrisi Colonna 4. Palermo
Tel: +39 091 611 8523.
http://www.principedivillafranca.it/en
Double superior room €150/night
Double deluxe €190/night.
Junior Suite €280/night
Reservations with code:
stefan&salmawedding valid until May 15th
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Quinto Canto
Housed in a modernised 16th-century palazzo, Quintocanto offers visitors a prime city-centre location and a wellness centre where guests enjoy free access to the sauna, Turkish bath and whirlpool tub (additional spa services including massages cost extra). Book ahead for rooms 318 and 319, which have terraces with superb views of San Giuseppe dei Teatini church next door.
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 310, 90100 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 584913
http://www.quintocantohotel.com
Reservations with code:
stefan&salmawedding / 26% discount
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Centrale Palace Hotel
Situated in the historic centre, near the Quattro Canti and Palazzo dei Normanni and Museum of Contemporary Art, the Centrale Palace Hotel, with its cool, gently - lit foyer and leather sofas, offers the perfect retreat from Palermo's heat. While the rooms at the front of the hotel overlook the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the roof terrace has views of the Teatro Massimo and the cathedral. Breakfast is served in the grand high-ceilinged first floor salon, which is reached by the 18th century palazzo's original staircase, made of extremely rare red Sicilian marble.
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 327, 90134 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 8539.
https://www.eurostarshotels.co.uk/eurostars-centrale-palace.html
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Grand Hotel Piazza Borso
If you are looking for luxury in the heart of Old Town, there is no place better than Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa. From the moment you enter this building, you are swept away with the impressive architecture, intricate marble work, and more. Every room is lavish and plush, offering multiple rooms inside of the suite as well as your own personal Jacuzzi.
Via Cartari, 18, 90133 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 320075.
https://piazzaborsa.it/en/
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Hotel Porta Felice
This groovy boutique hotel near the marina is built around a high atrium and has a glamorous rooftop bar. Very well situated infront of Palazzo Butera – an excellent location for Manifesta exhibitions!
Via Butera, 45, 90133 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 617 5678.
hotelportafelice.it
Double Rooms €125/ night.
Single Rooms €90/ night.
Reservations with code:
stefan&salmawedding
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Grand Hotel et Des Palmes
The Grand Hotel et des Palmes was founded in 1874 by the ancient patrician family Ingham - Whitaker, previously built in 1856 and connected by a secret passage to the Anglican Church which still faces the hotel. The patrician house consisted of two floors, a garden winter 's (now Hall) and an exotic garden stretching to the sea. Ernesto Basile, one of the greatest masters of the Art Nouveau style in 1907, has transformed the hotel by making changes in the hall, and also, English decorators made a inlaid wood ceiling in Sala Caminetto, very similar to this in a ceiling hall of Palazzo Montecitorio. At the Grand Hotel et des Palmes was written the history of Sicily; in 1881 Richard Wagner completed his "Parsifal", in 1882 Francesco Crispi imparted lessons in politics, Vittorio Emanuele Orlando used to reside there often, the French writer Raymond Roussel stayed there until his death; General Carlo Poletti made it his headquarters during the Second World War, and finally, Baron Di Stefano "the prisoner Hotel", chose to stay at Des Palmes and remained there for 50 years until his death.
Via Roma 398 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 6028111.
https://www.grandhotel-et-des-palmes.com/en/
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Hotel Columbia
This is another great location choice. This hotel recently saw a lot of new renovations (especially to the first floor), so there’s never been a better time to check it out. This is perfectly placed to shortly walk to any of the major monument attractions throughout Old Town, and is also conveniently close to the buses and train station.
Via del Celso, 37, 90143 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 611 3777
http://www.hotelcolumbiapalermo.com/index.php/en/
Double Rooms €55/night
Single Rooms €35/night
Reservations with code:
stefan&salmawedding
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While the location alone makes this a great option (as it is walking distance from every tourist attraction apart from - Mondello), it is the high quality of the place that has people really impressed. This B&B is on the 3rd floor of a posh building with restaurants and bars all around it. It is located close to a bus stop, which makes the transportation system easily accessible. The rooms themselves are well furnished and offer free Wi-Fi service. Not only this, but there is an acclaimed intercontinental breakfast each morning offering some rather delicious dining to start your day.
Via Principe di Granatelli, 28, 90139 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 843 0208.
Single room €54/ night
Double room €73/ night
Reservations with code:
stefan&salmawedding valid until May 12th
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4 Quarti B&B is housed in a 16th-century building, just a 5-minute walk from the Cathedral.
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 376, 90134 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 583687.
http://www.quattroquarti.it/appartamento/
Around £100/night for 2 guests
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Gorgeously romantic, secret and elegant, BB22 lies behind a ruined square whose few remaining residents play their tango records out of their windows at night and passers-by stop to dance. Approached by a prodigious flight of marble steps, but worth the climb.
Largo Cavalieri di Malta 22. Via Pantelleria, 22, 90133 Palermo.
Tel: +39 091 326214.
Doubles from about £90
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"Luxury by vocation", the BB22 Palace Bed and Breakfast is located inside Palazzo Moncada, a charming recently renovated noble palace, right in front of the wonderful Piazza San Domenico, in the heart of the historic center of Palermo. Two steps from the most important centers of interest such as the Arab-Norman UNESCO circuit, the historical markets and the lively streets with clubs, craft shops, museums and theaters, the BB22 Palace allows its guests to immerse themselves in the elegant and refined atmosphere of the nobility of the past. The wise modernization in the respect of the ancient architectural elements and the care of every detail, make the house full of charm and atmosphere, unique in its kind. On request, the BB22 Palace can organize a personal chef, the care of a trusted baby-sitter, personal training sessions, a masseuse or even the organization of special city tours carried out with expert tourist guides in and around the city.
Via Bandiera, 11, 90133 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 326214
http://www.bb22.it/palace/
Around £125/night for 2 guests
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B&B Palazzo Lungarini
At a few minutes walk from the railway Station and the Ancient Harbour, in the most exciting quarter of Palermo’s old town, between Piazza Kalsa and the Vucciria historical market, tucked away at the back of a private palazzo, is a cosy bed and breakfast, the house of Luna Figurelli, a born and bred Palermitana art historian.
Via Lungarini, 60, 90133 Palermo
Tel: +39 339 782 7984
http://www.bbpalazzolungarini.it/it/
Around £75/ night for a double room
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Palazzo Benso
Near the port B&A Palazzo Benso welcomes guests in the heart of Palermo meters away from a church and a theatre. The hotel lies within 15 minutes' walk of Cattedrale di Palermo. Guests will find Palermo city center within a 20-minute walk from the property.
Via E. Amari, 65, 90139 Palermo
Tel: +39 339 730 5731
http://www.palazzobenso.it
Around £75/ night for 2 guests
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Al Piazza Marina B&B
Set 900 metres from Palermo Train Station, Al Piazza Marina B&B offers a bar and classic-style accommodation with a balcony.
Via Lungarini 48 Palermo
Tel: +39 320 3260300
https://piazzamarina.it/?lang=en
Around £55/ night for an economy double room
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Nuvole Residenza
Housed in a historic building of the centre of Palermo, just 200 yards from the Quattro Canti square Nuvole Residenza offers elegant rooms with handmade furniture, floor heating and artwork on display from the Nuvole Art Gallery.
Via del Celso 14 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 7831299
https://www.nuvoleresidenza.it/en/
Around £75/ night for 2 guests
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Khalisah is situated in the heart of Palermo’s historical centre. Rooms have a modern and simple feel. A continental breakfast of homemade cakes and jams is served every morning.
Via Scopari 33 Palermo
Tel: +39 347 1921924
Around £60-70/ night for 2 guests
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Located next to the historical center city of Palermo, the Bed and Breakfast Ai Vicerè is located in a historical building.
Via Pignatelli D’Aragona 82 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 5073915
https://www.bedandbreakfast-palermo.com/
Around £50/ night for 2 guests
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Vibrant, friendly and filled with artwork left by former guests, this funky hostel-guesthouse is a great choice. Beds are in female-only or mixed dorms, or in several imaginatively decorated, music-themed rooms, complemented by a kitchen and yoga room. Multilingual owner Claudia provides helpful maps and advice, and also runs the A Casa di Amici B&B behind Teatro Massimo.
Dante, 57 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 765460
http://www.acasadiamici.com/en/
Around £40/ night for 2 guests
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Chic but cheap B&B on the main boulevard near Piazza Marina with views over the old harbour of La Cala the rooms are designed in a minimalist style.
Via Vittorio Emanuele 71, 90133 Palermo
Double room €70/ night
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Charming B&B in the house of Gioacchino Lanza Tomasi, the heir of "The Leopard" Gioacchino, more widely known as the adopted son of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, whose masterpiece The Leopard is one of the greatest novels of the 20th century and the definitive portrait of a waning Sicilian aristocracy. Nicoletta, his wife now rents out the charming Butera28 apartments in her palazzo and runs popular culinary classes, with shopping trips to Capo market and lunch in her magnificent home.
Via Butera 28, 90133 Palermo
Tel: +39 333 316 5432.
2 apartments available. Around €210/ night
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B&B Delle Vittorie
For a stylish property in the heart of the town, B&B Delle Vittorie is a chic and contemporary B&B, in the heart of the old city. Elegant and understated interiors are matched by excellent service and a friendly atmosphere. Perfectly located for explore all the city has to offer, from bars and restaurants to museums and cathedrals. An excellent breakfast is included.
Via Bari, 52, 90133 Palermo
Tel: +39 334 885 4473
http://www.bbdellevittorie.it/it/
Around £120/ night for 2 guests
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In the historic centre of Palermo, the Porta di Castro is in a carefully restored townhouse, dating back to the 1500s.
Via Porta di Castro, 223, 90134 Palermo
Tel: +39 328 263 9433.
http://www.bebportadicastro.it/en/
Double Rooms €115.20/ night
Single Rooms €127.50/ night
Triple Rooms €115.20/ night
Reservations with code: stefan&salmawedding
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APARTMENTS
Set in the historical centre of Palermo, in the Kalsa district, Abatellis Luxury offers a sea-view terrace and air-conditioned accommodation. Palermo Harbour is less than 1.2 miles away.
Via Alloro, 3, 90133 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 616 9859
http://www.abatellisluxury.it/
Around £150/ night for a Double room
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This Luxury Apartment in a Historical Palace of XVI. It is a beautiful mix of Classic and Contemporary style in the heart of Palermo. It is located close to the Piazza San Domenico, above the Vucciria food market, you will enter via a stone archway that lited into a peaceful shared courtyard. The apartment is on the first floor, accessible by a private stairway lit with modern LED lights and the coloured sunlight that flows through 16th century stain glass windows.
14 Via Bandiera 90133 Palermo
Tel: +39 347 5264276
http://www.palazzoalliata.it/appartamento-palazzo-storico-palermo/
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Built in the 18th century for His Majesty King Ferdinand and Her Majesty Queen Carolina of Borbone during their exile in Sicily, Villa Chiaramonte Bordonaro ai Colli is today the house of the Barons Chiaramonte Bordonaro. Baron Luigi Chiaramonte Bordonaro Alliata, described by the international press as the “last Gattopardo” (in reference to Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s historical novel) and father of the current owners Gabriele and Anna Stella, turned his home into a meeting place for the most important and renowned personalities of the era from the worlds of sport, art, politics, and culture. Thanks to his wife Baroness Beatrice Peria Boscogrande, the gardens were transformed into one of the most beautiful parks in Palermo.
Via del Fante No. 64
Tel: +39 091 516205
http://www.villabordonaro.it/la-foresteria/
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In a Norman watchtower turned palace owned by the same family since the Renaissance, this ancient place near the cathedral has simple holiday apartments off its cobbled courtyard. The charming Nicolo Federico gives tours of his home, with its frescos, suits of armour and pretty ballroom.
Piazza Conte Federico, 2, 90134 Palermo
Tel: +39 091 651 1881
Doubles from €120,
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farm-stay options
Should you want to travel more widely Sicily has plenty of farm-stay options where home-grown produce will feature, but the properties below have a particular emphasis on cuisine, including cooking classes:
Midway along Sicily’s southern coast is a welcoming family-run farm and 16-room guesthouse with long-stay options that include a converted railway station. Flexible daily cooking classes are available using ingredients straight from the garden.
Tel: + 39 393 986 2189
www.mandranova.com
Doubles from £85, villas from £1,000 weekly.
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A five-star historic hotel and estate close to Ragusa whose chef, Vicenza Iolanda, offers residents a choice of beginners’ cookery classes (four hours from £85 per person) and a more advanced course (from £252).
Tel: + 39 93 266 9119
Double B&B from £105
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A stylish 19-room hotel with a farm on the slopes of Mount Etna. The farm grows rare foods, all of which feature on the restaurant’s menu: mastrantonio cherries, for example, sbergia peaches, baccibedda pears, damaschino apricots and vinnignola figs. Trips to local producers can be arranged.
Tel: +39 95 708 3638
Double B&B from £122
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This beautiful 14-room resort on one of the estates belonging to Planeta, Sicily’s best-known winemaker, offers the island’s most varied food-related courses. Choose from individual or sequential two or three-hour courses (with lunch) on themes such as the sea, olive oil, patisserie, pasta and herbs. Bespoke experiences can be arranged, along with visits to local producers. Two-hour cellar tours and tastings are also available from £8.80.
Tel: +39 925 195 5460
Double B&B from £130
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A leading Sicilian wine producer and a pioneer of the island’s sustainable food movement. Its four estates include vineyards and working farms, one of which, Regaleali, offers overnight stays in the baglio (farm villa). The estate often hosts the Anna Tasca Lanza cookery school (093 481 5621; annatascalanza.com), which offers half-day courses from £22 per person, including lunch, plus a range of longer residential and specialist courses.
Tel: +39 92 154 4011
Double B&B from £145/night.