Travelling with children means a few things really matter for a stress-free holiday: being able to move around easily on foot, having open spaces where children can play, and a comfortable, clean, easy-to-reach place to sleep. Booking at B&B Gallery Luxury is the right choice for families who don't want to miss any side of Palermo.
From the B&B you can easily reach the historic markets of Capo and Ballarò, where children discover the authenticity of a place that still keeps its rituals: the abbanniata, the vendor's call that, like a primal form of marketing, praises the goods; the tasting of products to check their quality; and the bargaining of prices, a true art. Tradition also lives in the Sicilian Opera dei Pupi, a draw for enthusiasts worldwide: in theatres scattered across the centre the deeds of Charlemagne and his Paladins come alive, and in November the Festival di Morgana devotes a whole week to the puppets, delighting young and old.
Folklore and tradition, present all year round, form a tapestry of colours and sounds that fascinates children and adults alike. B&B Gallery Luxury is designed to give families comfort on the move: soundproofed rooms, memory-foam mattresses and double hypoallergenic pillows ensure perfect sleep for grown-ups and children.
The gardens of Palermo
While exploring the historic centre you can relax — perhaps after a takeaway lunch from a bar, a rosticceria or a bakery — in one of the gardens that open like oases among the architectural treasures. In the centre, the Giardino Inglese, designed by architect Basile, is a splendid park where children can run free among botanical species from all over the world.
In the historic centre, between Porta Nuova and the Cathedral, lies Villa Bonanno, a small and delightful garden beside the Norman Palace. Worth a visit too is the Giardino Garibaldi in Piazza Marina, with its centuries-old, exotic species: the great ficus trees, with trunks over 20 metres around, are among the longest-lived specimens in Italy.
Nearby, the Botanical Garden — together with the adjacent Villa Giulia — is a wonderful green oasis right in front of the sea. The garden holds over 12,000 species, native and exotic, and is fascinating for children too, who can admire carnivorous plants, the soap plant, the cotton plant and the marvellous aquatic species of the Aquarium.