Palermo Comments 7

Arhus, Denmark May 6, 2005 I stayed with Giorgio in late April, and after reading the other reviews on this page, I guess everything's been said at least once, but...Arriving by plane, I took the train to Orleans Station, where Giorgio recieved me (small station, so it's easy to find each other).He took me to the B&B and showed me around.The atmosphere of the B&B makes you "connect" with the other guests, which is great when you travel alone, as I do.One night he invited Patrick (who've written a review on this page as well - hi Patrick!) to join us for a pub crawl, even if Patrick was not staying with us that night! So everyone who've written that you're welcome at Giorgio's House and that he feels like a good friend, is right.I think he took us on tours about every other night - great!And last but not least: The breakfast buffet... I'm used to the "continental breakfast" of Northern Italy (a dry piece of bread and a cup of coffee), but Giorgio's breakfast is the best. My personal favorite: Croissant with Nutella in it!!!I can't believe it's so cheap - thanks Giorgio	London May 26, 2005 Giorgio made our hoilday!! He was a perfect host and went way beyond the call of duty to take us wherever we wanted to go - you don't get that kind of personal treatment in a 5 star hotel now do you!! One day he drove us two hours across the most beautiful unspoilt sicilian countryside to the most amazing beach I've ever seen. He told us which local delicacies to try and which restaurants to go to. At the same time we were completely free to do our own thing if we prefered. The apartment was clean and spacious and in the heart of Palermo. Palermo is stunning, you've got to go to the market to get a real feel of local life!! As three girls we felt completely safe and looked after and although its fair to say italian men like to stare unshamedly Giorgio was the perfect gent, it was like having an italian big brother joking around the whole time!! We stumbled upon a late nite jazz concert in the ruins of an old church one nite - amazing. All in all a fantastic trip, thoroughly enjoyed by all and would definately recommend Giorgio's to anybody who wants the real sicilian experience and lots of laughs along the way. Grazia mille Giorgio xxxx
Portland, Oregon May 18, 2005 We just returned from 2 weeks in Sicilia, and 3 nights with Giorgio in Palermo. He was sincerely just a wonderful, helpful good person. His place was very clean, big rooms with high celings, and fun other guests. The pasteries were TOO GOOD at breakfast! Giorgio did several things for us beyond the call of duty, and we would stay with him again.	London UK May 28, 2005 Giorgio's House is fantastic! Situated in the centre of Palermo, it is close to the bustling tourist sites, but it is also possible to wander the streets of the real Palermo. Giorgio is wonderful, and picked us up from the station. He also showed us the best places in Palermo to eat, drink and see, and drove for 2 hours to show us the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. It's great to be shown the city by a local person, but you can also explore by yourself if you prefer. The rooms are huge, with all facilities we needed. The breakfasts were feasts, and I can say that it was one of the best holidays I've had. In addition, there are many maps and leaflets at Giorgio's House which indicate the best places to go!Fantastic!
UK May 21, 2005 A trip to Sicily would not be the same if you were to stay anywhere but Giorgio's place! Located 2 minutes walk from the Grand Palace and 5 to the Cathedral, the hostel is very accessible to everything, very clean and spacious and has a nice home feel to it, with a very hardy breakfast before you set out on your day. More importantly you come to Sicily a keen visitor and you leave with a new best friend. Giorgio goes out of his way to make your stay as enjoyable as he can. Our first night in Palermo he took us and some other travellors to a local pizzera, the next day he took us to Cefalu to sightsee and sit on the sand and to the best ice-cream place on the beach! Then promptly drove us back to Palermo to get some last minute shopping in before the shops closed and then to dinner with local Sicilians in a famous pizzera. Sunday on our request he took us to a remote spiritual medieval village high up inthe mountains - Erice which had more beauty than be described. We felt very much at home and also very looked after and spoilt. We saw more in our 4 days in Sicily than we thought possible! This man has a wonderful hostel and an even kinder heart. I could not recommend a place anymore than this one, if you were to not stay at Giorgio's place then you would be missing one of the best sites and company of Sicily!! For the price you get more than you ever thought possible!!	North Texas Jun 4, 2005 Georgio's seemed, by the reviews, to be too good to be true, but with Texas confidence, I confirmed reservations by e-mail for our first two days of visiting Sicily.As promised, Georgio arrived to pick our family of three up at the Orleans Station, and with a friendly face, helped my husband lift the luggage to his trunk and quickly drove us to "Georgio's House!". The fact that our plane was late by two hours and broke into his daily plans didn't seem to disgruntle him.....Georgio's is on an ordinary, bustling Sicilian street....noisy Vespas, young groups of folks laughing and talking, but thats' Sicily!! Any hotel in Sicily or Italy, no matter the price nor the location, will include Vespa noises in your dreams.....He showed us to a clean, airy, comfortable looking room for three, with light streaming from large windows, Lying on the edge of the bed were thick, thirsty, white towels for our use. Just what we needed to shake off a 12 hr. day in flight to bathe and nap a little.He then directed us to a sparkling clean bathroom, and showed us the community breakfast room for the "breakfast included" portion of his offer. His general enthusiasm and helpful demeanor added to the confidence we needed to settle more easily in a strange city ....Our stay was enhanced with his advice and maps to make the best use of our short time in Palermo. The second evening, Georgio's free tour included historical dialogue with a humorous quip here and there. It was apparent he loves his mysterious and busy city! A twilight walk included the park and along the Palermo streets to see the Jazz School, as well as other strictly Palermo experiences most folks would have bypassed. Later, we enjoyed pizza with the rest of the guests, a comfortable, fun, highlight . He treated us like a brother would.... there when you needed him.The morning breakfast he prepared was wonderful, easily the best we had in our 15 day visit to Sicily and Italy; mouth-watering, typical Italian rolls with riccota cheese, cream cheese filling, or chocolate filling and other delicious specialties of the bakery situated on the street below.The coffee was good and strong, just what we needed to begin a day of walking and sightseeing....(Yes, I think alot of my stomach!)The location of Georgio's is most convenient for all areas of Palermo's sights, shopping delights, as well as communication and travel connection necessities.It is only a short walk from the lovely Palermo Cathedral with breathtaking mosaics. Don't miss the "Catacombe Cappuccini"which was most impressive in both history and unusual customs. On a personal note, Georgio acted well beyond the call of duty as a "lodging manager" when he confirmed reservations with alpi-eagle by phone for us for a later flight; and, as a most impressive and helpful favor he called my aged cousin (who spoke little English) in Palermo and facilitated our plans for our visit. She knew we were going to be in Palermo, but she & I could barely communicate. Even though the Southern dialect alerted her to who it was when she answered the phone, my Italian is largely confined to derrivatives of Latin class and the Gregorian Chant from Sacred Heart Catholic High ! Our phone conversations consisted mostly of happy laughter at our situation, "Si, Si, Si",or highly repetitive Italian beyond my "Rick Steve's tutored"comprehension.After much chagrin over three very disasterous attempts to communicate by phone, Georgio stole the show by agreeing to make the call for me and translating all the information we needed to visit her and the rest of my ancestors the next day. He helped us make a dream come true, above and beyond the ordinary B&B management! Like a brother...........Take it from an old and wise world traveler, if you are going to Palermo and don't expect a doorman, but want to enjoy the genuine Palermo experience as an ordinary person with a clean, bed, good breakfast, hot shower, and helpful advice from someone WHO SPEAKS ENGLISH.... Georgio's can't be beat!!!
London, England May 26, 2005 After reading the first few reviews about Giorgio's House, I was a little sceptical but as I read more, I became more convinced that this was a nice and fun place to stay in Palermo. This turned out to be the case. Giorgio is a great person, more like a friend. He came to pick us up from the train station and suggested an excellent program of activities for the duration of our stay. He drove us to a beautiful beach/ resort (San Vito lo Capo) and also to a lovely medieval village (Erice) - places we would have never discovered ourselves. He also took us to some nice restarants. As far as the accommodation goes, our room was clean and spacious and the apartment has two bathrooms so you never really have to wait. Also, Giorgio serves up a great breakfast of Sicilian sweet pastries and savoury snacks, along with excellent Italian coffee. In addition, we met some nice people who were also staying there - what more can you ask for? Thanks for a great trip, Giorgio!

	GIORGIO'S HOUSE
Guesthouse Buenos Aires	SOME of the Comments about Giorgio's House we took from Internet	Guesthouse Palermo
2004/2005		2004/2005