We had a lovely stay in Davide and Silvia's Cocal Biennale apartment. It is beautifully decorated and features some attractive amenities (airconditioning, washer/dryer, dishwasher). One of the perks of staying in the Castello neighborhood is that it's much less touristed than other parts of Venice. Here, you can get a taste of real Venitian life. It was especially nice to come back from the city center (St. Marks or the Rialto) to the relative quiet of the neighborhood. We loved being so near to Garibaldi Street, which has some wonderful restaurants and cafes as well as a grocery store, pharmacy, and gelateria. We found Venice to be very walkable, but on hot days it was nice to have a vaporetto stop so nearby (Giardini Biennale). It was also very nice to be so close to Biennale Park -- for the art installations as well as the grass and trees (something that is otherwise limited in Venice). All in all, a great visit. From everyone in my group: Thanks!