We loved Olga’s apartment with its old fashioned elegance. Like Venice, it was chipped here and there but the beautiful floors, painted ceilings, porch, and elegant living room blew us away. We loved feeding the tortoises. Since we have visited Venice before, we wanted to be in a neighborhood rather than the St. Mark’s Square chaos. Olga’s apartment’s location was perfect. There were quaint squares, friendly restaurants with excellent food, locals hanging with friends and children filling their water guns from one of the many local fountains. All within easy walking distance from St. Mark’s, Rialto and museums like the Accademia and Guggenheim.