The charming Butera 28 in Palermo is a neoclassical lover’s dream come true

The vibe: Nestled in the heart of the Kalsa quarter of the Sicilian capital of Palermo, Butera 28 is a set of plush apartments located within the gorgeous 18th-century Palazzo Lanza Tomasi, the former palace of the last prince of Lampedusa, Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa.

Ananya Panday in the library at Palazzo Lanza Tomasi

A grand room within Palazzo Lanza Tomasi

The rooms: There are three categories of self-catered apartments: the cosy Standard, the lavish Superior, and our favourite, the Deluxe, which comes with a stunning view of the sea. The apartments are decorated in the neoclassical style, complete with antique furniture and artwork that date back to the 17th century.

The terrace of a Deluxe apartment

The sights: Visit Orto Botanico di Palermo, the botanical garden that’s home to the oldest Moreton Bay Fig tree in Europe. A few minutes away is Piazza Pretoria, and the churches of Santa Maria Della Pietà and Santa Teresa Alla Kalsa, renowned for their frescoes.

The view of the Tyrrhenian Sea from a Deluxe apartment

Don’t leave without: A tour of the Palazzo Lanza Tomasi itself, with its high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, frescoes and Roman sculptures. Spend some time in the library, which houses a manuscript of Lampedusa’s famous novel, Leopard. And enrol yourself in a cooking class conducted by the current Duchess of Palma, Nicoletta Lanza Tomasi, for an authentic Sicilian culinary experience. End the trip with a stroll down the white-sand Mondello Beach, and an invigorating dip in the cool waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Mondello Beach

Photographs: Stefania Paparelli (Ananya Panday), Shutterstock (Mondello Beach)