The Industrialist XIII

Check into this stylish apartment, set in a Renaissance palazzo of high and mighty proportions, right in the heart of Bologna. Once home to the bourgeois society of the 17th century, the former palace has been renovated into a portfolio of sleek city boltholes by a team of award-winning architects, and doesn't it show.

Expect high-spec finishes, signature furniture pieces from a list of designers that reads like an A to Z, and don't get us started on the glorious terrazzo flooring, which unites the space and brings a pop of colour.

In the slick, modern kitchen, there's everything you need to brew morning coffees or rustle up aperitifs. While over in the bedrooms, you'll love the double-height ceilings with windows peering out to the iconic terracotta facades and wooden shutters of the city outside.

And you won't have far to go when it's time to soak up the local culture. Take your pick from buzzy cafes for colazione (think buttery crostata tarts and proper cappuccinos), charming trattorias for plates of the city's beloved ragù, and pizza al taglio kiosks for something on the go – you name it, you're near it. Historic sights like Fontana del Nettuni and the main square, Piazza Maggiore, are just an eight-minute walk away, and a smidge further, the city's leaning towers (ten minutes on foot). Meanwhile, high roller shoppers can shop till they drop in Galleria Cavour, Bologna's luxury boutique street (eleven minutes on foot).

Home truths:
*The second bedroom is a loft and may not have the same privacy as a bedroom
*Well-behaved pets are welcome to join you with prior agreement from the host
*You'll share an entrance to the apartment's building and check yourself in with a smart lock
*Your host has several apartments in this building, and you may be able to book them together to accommodate larger groups – please ask for more information
*There are shared washing machines and dryers available in the building
*There's a laptop-friendly space for remote working at this home
*Luggage storage is available
*The kitchen – and apartment in general – is sparsely furnished as it lacks some basic utensils and tools