Dear guest, We are delighted that you have chosen to stay with us. Thanks to your support, our Cooperative can continue to pursue the dream of a solidary and sustainable economy, capable of creating full employment and ensuring individual freedom. Our adventure began in 2003, when we were a group of university students eager to free ourselves from the social restrictions that afflict young Sicilians. In collaboration with the Regional Agency for the Right to Study of the University of Palermo, we launched the "Student's Hostel" project to offer hospitality, during the summer, to thousands of young travelers visiting the city. Since 2008, we have expanded our activities by winning a public competition for the management of the municipal hostel in Ferrara. Since then, the Coop Ballarò has also expanded into Emilia Romagna and later into Tuscany, managing the Palazzo Gowett hostel in Campiglia Marittima (LI). In 2011, we took over the Ghiara hostel in Reggio Emilia, and shortly after we opened a restaurant in the charming cloister, turning it into a meeting place for culture and different traditions. Today, the Coop Ballarò also manages the Casa Senza Frontiere, a bio-architectural structure of the Municipality of Ferrara, and the Residence "Le Benedettine" granted by the University of Pisa. Over the years, our cooperative has been enriched by new members from the different territories where we operate. We have recently associated four new collaborators living in Reggio Emilia and we employ young and older people from various parts of Italy in all our locations. We wish you a truly enjoyable stay and hope to welcome you again on other occasions. Sincerely, The Coop Ballarò team.