We have vacationed in Venice for several weeks over the last fifteen years or so, and have always arranged to rent out apartments in Santa Croce near the Campo San Giacomo del’Orio, a splendid gem of a neighborhood redolent with genuine Venetian local color. We can say without reservation that Marco’s apartment is the best that we have ever rented. Located on the ‘piano nobile’ of a quiet and well-maintained building, the apartment features 15-foot ceilings and gorgeous terrazzo and hard-wood flooring. The furnishings are first-rate, the beds are comfortable, the kitchen and bathroom are recently remodeled and well-stocked — even the toilet paper is top-notch, which is so rare in Italy that we usually travel with our own supply from back home, but we didn’t have to break it out on this trip. The apartment is full of interesting art, and has a small but well-curated library of books and games for the family to enjoy. A magical place and an incredible value.