Casa Bergamotto Recommendations

Parking Historical Center Dafne - search Cortile Belvedere, a small dead-end street with the parking entrance at the end This is the most convenient spot to the apartment, which is about 6 minutes walk from here (500 m) There is a very tight corner to get into the parking, not good for large SUV's or vans

There is a small clinic for urgent care, called the Continuità Assistenziale, or the Guardia Medica, about a 7 minute walk from the apartment. Via Giuseppe Mazzini, 8 - just past Piazza Garibaldi at the start of the new town

Parcheggio Lungomare - Parking on the beach, just next to the Hotel Riva del Sole, enter from the Lungomare (beachfront street) The apartment is about 7 minutes walk from here (600 m), note that you will need to pull luggage up a fairly steep street

Not recommended, it's very difficult to find and most requires a residence permit. Only spaces with no coloured stripe are free, and only located outside of the city centre

If driving from the Palermo Airport, you will need to drive through the centre of Palermo and out the other side. This can be intimidating, the drivers are aggressive and street markings vague. Luckily, you just need to stay on the motorway, in the direction of Messina. The E90 goes along to coast to Cefalu, note that the last 15 minutes are on a tollway, good to have small change available

You can catch the train inside the airport terminal, the entrance is just outside of the baggage claim area. With a few rare exception, you will need to go to Palermo Centrale and then transfer for any train towards Messina. There are electronic ticket kiosks in multiple languages. Be sure you validate your ticket before boarding by inserting into the little machines on the platforms. You can also take a comfortable bus to Palermo Centrale, tickets are just outside baggage claim

If you are at a local bar (bars are where you go for coffee in the morning, as well as drinks at night), you can either stand and drink at the bar, or sit at tables. At the bar, prices for coffee are very cheap and government controlled. if you sit at a table prices are higher as they can charge for service. prices are still generally low.

Tipping in Italy is generally not as important as other countries - staff receive a full salary and benefits and are dependent on tips. You may see a "coperto" charge on your bill, which is a small service charge, and you can leave a couple euros for good service if you like.