How did your host make you feel welcome?
With her forthcoming, friendly and timely responsiveness from the moment I was first in touch. Secondly, both Mara and her lovely sister met me from a late flight, drove me to the flat, and took a further half hour to show me the flat amenities, check I could get online, and walk me briefly through the neighbourhood to point out where to recycle, where to toss garbage, which of three bus routes and stops to take for Venice. And then there was the welcome bottle of Prosecco and cookies…

Was the listing description accurate?
Yes. Just like the pictures. Tastefully decorated, very cosy set of single beds side by side, big sheet glass windows giving decent natural light with the shutters open, plenty warm inside, great gas stove, hot shower, flattering light in the bathroom (always an attractive feature), t.v. with countless channels (many international), plenty of closet space, seamless wifi

What was the neighbourhood like?
Impeccably clean, safe, very close to common tidy recycling and garbage – and very, very close to a large grocer, with three more a short walk away, along with a Coin department store for any average retail needs. Three bus possibilities into Venice, each stop about 2 blocks away from the flat. The trip takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and it’s nearly impossible to get off at the wrong stop – the last stop is the terminal bus station in Venice. I bought a 10 ticket card for the week from the bus station after the single first fare in – it deducts a fare every time you tap to validate inside the bus. Mestre is a clean, quiet suburb of Venice. There are some charming cafes, even a sushi resto, but Venice might be livelier at night. I was grateful for warmth, comfort, quiet and Mara’s cat Pepe to pet at the end of a day on my feet.