If you visit Venice and don’t get to stay at Riccardo’s exquisite apartment, I can only offer my condolences. Believe the photos—it really is that beautiful. Its elegance is matched only by Riccardo’s gracious helpfulness. The location on a quiet, storybook campo makes you feel worlds away from the tourist bustle while really just five minutes from the vaporetto and 10 minutes from Piazza San Marco. Head toward the Arsenale or Cannaregio and disappear into the glorious maze of back streets you love being lost in. Make a mission of hunting down the restaurants on Riccardo’s recommendations list. These are the meals you’ll bring home photos of. We would return to Riccardo’s place in a heartbeat.