Well, after having been in Venice more than 30 times basically during the day only (i live in Trieste, 2 hours far...) i decided to take a short vacation and enjoy the nights too. Maurizio's apartment is just few steps to San Marco (and few meters from a Vaporetto call) so i knew it was located in a beautiful charming area of the center...but anything i thougt by prior was nothing compare the reality. Since the kind Francesca came to pick us up at the Vaporetto (few steps far) and she opened the entrance door from the calle started the "unpredicted". An exquisite yard with a well wich takes out the first "Ohhhh..." it welcomes you to the house. The apartment (a short ramp of stone stairs up) is exactely as the pictures show and very eye catching (second "ohhh"). It's a very old hystorical building just perfectly refitted. The cleanness and the forniture are superb and Francesca will explain you anything you need to know how to move, eat and enjoy the time; in addition there are usefull maps and books to read about the city. So, is this all? (and would be quite a lot anyway...). There's still something else. During the morning, let's say around 10am start a continuous Gondola passing with music, people singing and smiling turists. All just few meters below your window. I cannot describe the feeling you have when you hear the singing and the music for the first time in the morning! Passing gondole put a smile on your face that will stand for all the day!
So, the apartment could be (and it really is) just perfect for those that want visit Venice all day with no lost of time for moving (you are in the very center and the vaporetto stops just few meters away)...but...if you have no rush to go outside i strongly suggest to take it easy staying longer in the house. Spend all the morning with your partner watching the gondolas saying hello to the world passing by and spend time during the night in "your" yard with a glass of wine watching the sky. You will feel like a special person in the most special city of the world...there's no hotel at any price that can give you this. Cheers, Alex