This was a pretty positive experience. The flat is just as pictured--one big room with a kitchenette and bathroom. There is no shower, but there is a little bathtub; and there are no laundry machines but there is a good big drying rack for hanging laundry after you wash it in the tub.

It was very clean, and there were no issues with bugs of any kind--and I hear Venice can have a lot of mosquitos.

One warning: you should make sure you arrive at the airport before 7 pm. We didn't get in until 11;30, and that meant Marco was unable to meet us until the next day. That meant we had to stay in a hotel in Mestre, the suburban area on the mainland, and take the bus in. This added $120 US to our trip.

Marco was very kind and warm, and the cost was very reasonable. There is a grocery store nearby, and loads of bars/restaurants etc.

It was really nice to be away from the (incredibly touristy) centre of the city, in a residential neighborhood near a school. It was very quiet, but only a 15 minute walk from Ponte Rialto, which is in the middle of the action.

It was not very hot while we were there, but even on the hottest days it was cool in the apartment.