As others have noted, staying in Veronica’s place is a fantastic experience and comes highly recommended. We stayed in August, when Saint Elena neighborhood provides a wonderful oasis of calm and peace from the hordes swarming through St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge and other more central sights. The streets around Veronica’s place are wonderfully wide, beautiful and almost theatrical. Moreover, you will feel like a local shopping at the grocery store, eating in the small restaurant nearby, and sitting in the small park. Strolling to the Arsenale or further to St. Mark’s can be done along the waterfront (though this is quite a walk) or by waterbus. Veronica meanwhile is an accomplished artist, and the real prize is waking up in her beautiful apartment, with windows straight onto her garden, space to relax and eat breakfast outside, and (what a luxury for Venice!) a sense of space, air and light. Thanks Veronica and hope to see you again!