What a gem! Daniela’s place is a spacious apartment with a cute courtyard. Being a ground-floor apartment, it is not very bright, but to be able to sit outside for breakfast or coffee more than makes up for this. This is the perfect place for two friends or couples travelling together who each like their privacy, as the two bedrooms each enjoy their own bathroom, and can be closed off with a sliding door or curtain to create separate sleeping accommodation, with the kitchenette, dining space and courtyard as shared spaces. The kitchenette is basic (microwave, fridge, two-ring stove), but imaginative cooks will have no problem rustling up tasty meals with the equipment available. And let’s face it, who would want to be cooking up a full Sunday roast while on holiday?
Some may be concerned about the location not being close to the main tourist spots; this suited us perfectly, as we are not overly keen on other tourists, and we were able to avoid the hordes who disembark from those dreadful cruise ships and invade the island, and contribute little to the local economy. The nearby square has several bars for aperitifs (if you want a change from Aperol, try Select or Campari). There are several supermarkets within easy walking distance. We found our way to Rialto fairly easily; so long as you’re happy to get lost occasionally and have fun figuring out how to get back on track, you’ll be fine. And at least there’s every chance you’ll achieve your daily 10,000 steps!
We were greeted by Alberto, not Daniela; Alberto is a very polite young man who, when we asked, gave us several recommendations for places to eat (always best to ask a local). One of them, Nono Risorto, was a perfect eatery for our first evening (tasty, and fairly cheap by Venetian standards). There was a little confusion on check-out, as we had been told we could leave our bags in the lobby - we received a message late morning on our last day to return and collect them, as the next guests were due, which meant we were unexpectedly lumbered with baggage for a couple of hours. I’d suggest best head over to the train or bus station and put them in storage, so you know you’re free for the remainder of your stay. But I emphasise this was a minor inconvenience in what was a great stay. I would definitely book Daniela’s Little Garden apartment again!