Behind the grand period façade of this oh-so-central, loft-style apartment lies a contemporary lover's dream. The 17th-century Renaissance building has been expertly reimagined by a team of architects into a luxurious modern retreat with signature furniture pieces from a list of designers that reads like an A to Z. Kick start your day with freshly-brewed coffees as you peer out at the classically-Italian terracotta facades outside – it's just as you'd imagined. Then get together for lazy breakfasts in the atmospheric dining area beneath those lofty ceilings – there's everything you need in the sleek, modern kitchen. When the historical streets below finally lure you in, the must-see sights are just a short jaunt away. If you're new in town, head to the main square, Piazza Maggiore (just an eight-minute walk away), to get your bearings on the city's medieval grid. Or simply lose yourself to Bologna's colonnaded streets, diving into trattorias for plates of ragù and stumbling upon piazzas to take five in the sunshine with gelatos. We don't know about you, but it all sounds bellissimo to us.

Additional fees

• Your host can arrange a variety of services for an additional fee, including daily cleaning and discounted parking in the nearby Garage Bologna and Garage Marconi parking garages (€30 per vehicle per day)

Additional fees subject to a 3.5% handling charge.