We were a little nervous about coming to Venice, having heard of the throngs of tourists, and lack of actual residents. It was therefore a delightful relief to arrive at Giulio's place, located in a quiet, residential area of Venice. During our short stay, we thoroughly enjoyed the local flavor of the Castello, while also easily taking in some of the grander sights. We arrived in mid-August, and therefore REALLY appreciated the air-conditioning. The apartment was very clean, and well-suited for a family of four. Giulio greeted us at the water bus stop, and gave us very detailed information about the neighborhood, transportation, places to go, and about the apartment itself. I ended up falling in love with the neighborhood, and the whole concept of Venice itself. I wish we could have stayed at Giulio's place longer!