If you want a place that somehow manages to be close to everything but far enough away to avoid crazy tourist crowds, this is it! The convenience is outstanding. A few minutes walk from the Arsenale vaporetto stop, with no bridges over which to drag your luggage. That alone can be worth the location. We were welcomed at the vaporetto stop by Paola. She answered questions, got us settled, and recommended where to shop for groceries.

The best part was the care with which this apartment is outfitted. You feel as if you are staying in a bed and breakfast. We were welcomed by a tray of Burano biscuits and tea. Every room smelled wonderful from infused oils. Flower arrangements were on the window sills. The cleanliness and furnishings were outstanding. The bed in the main bedroom was extremely comfortable. The high speed internet allowed us to return at night and easily upload travel photos to share (or to do online work, but this is Venice; you really don't want to be doing work). We didn't get to use the wonderful little courtyard, but enjoyed the fact that one could sit there, look up and see a church tower while surrounded by the ambiance of Italy. The kitchen was well outfitted and we decided to make a trip to the grocery store to make dinner one night. How nice to experience the neighborhood that way, shopping with the locals, buying a bottle of wine to enjoy in the apartment.

It is easy to walk quickly to the San Marco Piazza from this apartment, right down the main Fondamenta that fronts the lagoon. However, the walk from the apartment to San Marco brings you past the area where some of the cruise ships bring in groups of tourists to the main waterfront around 9:15 or 9:30 each morning. As long as we beat them across the Bridge of Sighs (where everyone stops to take photos), we had an easy walk. These groups were gone by 5 p.m. or so and walking home was beautiful and romantic (even with our 12-year-old in tow).

We can't wait to come back!