Eco Chic XIV

Eco Chic XIV: Emilia-Romagna

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.

Home truths:
*You'll share an entrance to the apartment's building and you'll check 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
*This home sleeps six guests with the last four sleeping on two sofa beds in the living areas – if you'd like ample space for socialising, we'd recommend this home for two people
*The main bedroom is located on a mezzanine level and partly open, so doesn't offer complete privacy from the living space
*There are shared washing machines and dryers available in the building
*The sofas are not the most comfortable to lounge and relax on
*There's luggage storage available