Staying in Fabiola’s apartment was perfect for our 4 day stay in Venice (2 sisters from Australia, aged in our 60s). Very tastefully decorated in neutral colours with Venetian red accents, with living room, bedroom, 2 bathrooms, dining area and kitchen. My sister had the charming bedroom with an ensuite and I slept in the large fold-out bed in the living room, and used the main bathroom off this room which also had a bath. The apartment would be ideally suited to a couple, however was fine for us, as we used the dining room area to sit in especially for using the excellent WiFi. We appreciated extra little touches like table runner and mats, and a few opera CDs. The apartment was very clean and apart from the bedroom which looked onto an ancient mossy wall, was very light. The apartment was in an old building and beautifully renovated.
The apartment was on the first floor (2nd.floor in American) and looked across the small garden of the French consulate onto impressive high old buildings in earthy Venetian colours. Although it was literally 2 minutes from the Campo Santa Maria Formosa, it was very quiet indeed. Location was central, and relatively easy to find, which is very important in Venice where most tourists spend lots of time getting lost. There is a Bancomat (ATM) and pharmacy in the Square. We were in close walking distance to San Marco but Cannaregio was not far, and other places are easily accessible by Vaporetto from Rialto Bridge.
Fabiola lives in Rome, so if she is not in Venice, she arranges for Riccardo in the neighbouring apartment to meet guests and show them around the apartment. We came to Venice by train, caught the Vaporetto at the Station, and got off at the Rialto Bridge (travelling down the Grand Canal is a wonderful introduction to Venice). It is a straightforward 10 minute walk from the Rialto Bridge to the Campo Santa Maria Formosa where we met Riccardo (as we had arranged by text). We also briefly met Fabiola and her husband in the square as they were leaving – they were very friendly. Riccardo was charming, spoke good English and was most helpful: showing us on the map where the supermarket was (5 minutes away), and also good local ristorantes, pizzeria, gelataria and bars, and was available if we needed any extra assistance (which luckily we didn’t). There were also extra maps at the apartment.

We ate breakfast and snacks at the apartment, but could have made wonderful meals in the well-equipped kitchen and served them on the well-sized dining table. However we were surrounded by many too many options for good eating, and ate in the local area and also in Cannaregio. Also wonderful food shops selling cheese, bread, meats and sausages.
We would thoroughly recommend Fabiola’s apartment in Venice.