Warning… This will be a VERY long review. It’s more for people who have decided they are definitely going to stay in this apartment. Which you should!! But I’ve also
included some hints for people who’ve never been to Italy, too. Especially those who eat gluten free.
Cannaregio, where this apartment sits, is where 60% of Venetians live, so it’s a bit quieter than all the other touristy places. Which you will appreciate once you see how tight the alleyways are and how many people come to Venice, especially on the weekends. Despite being ‘quieter,’ it’s on the way to Central Venice from the train station so it’s still got lots of shops, restaurants, and ‘gelaterias’. Gelato is their famous ice cream.
The apartment really is close to where the boat from the airport drops you off. (A three minute walk.) Just follow Valeria’s instructions. No need to shell out money for an expensive taxi boat from the airport unless you packed way too much. Note: The wheels on your suitcase CAN get stuck occasionally between the bricks in uneven places. If you splurge on a taxi boat, Valeria can tell them where the private dock is for this apartment and you will be delivered right to the front door.
Valeria (who manages this property) really is THE BEST HOST you will ever have. When we checked in, she greeted us, took care of business (took pictures of our passports ((required)), collected the city tax in cash) and then explained how to use the keys and the appliances. There’s a dishwasher! And a small washing machine. (She provides a drying rack to hang the wet clothes.) Valeria is very responsive. She answers your texted questions immediately. If you are a nervous traveler, having her as a host is a must! Her English is wonderful. And she lives in the building if you need anything.
Definitely follow Valeria’s suggestions for restaurants! And she will even make reservations for you if you’d like. Venetians eat dinner at 9pm, so that is the busiest time. And restaurants don’t usually start serving until 7pm. We’ve heard that the restaurants in the very touristy sections have bland or worse food. Look for the restaurants off the beaten path.
We found that a lot of restaurants in Venice have gluten free pasta. ‘Senza glutine’ = Gluten free. Our favorite restaurant that Valeria recommended, La Lista, has gluten free pasta, pizza and hamburgers. Of course, all the other food there is equally delicious. Make sure you get a caramel latte or a hot chocolate there, too! (The pasta at La Lista is served al dente. Tell them if you want it cooked a little longer so it won’t be chewy. ) Generally you don’t want to order meat dishes in Venice. Meat usually arrives frozen and is not as good as the fresh seafood and pasta dishes.
Note: You don’t tip your serving staff in Italy. They are paid a full monthly wage, unlike in America. They also expect you to spend hours eating, so they don’t hover. They are not being rude. Just raise your hand and catch the servers’ attention when you want the bill.
Make sure you visit the theater nearby that has been turned into a grocery store, too! Despar Teatro.
Valeria kept us informed on Carnivale events (the Venetian version of Mardi Gras) which were on again/off again due to Covid. And she watches the flood report daily so she can tell you when it is necessary to wear galoshes. She keeps several pairs in different sizes for her guests, as well as a couple of umbrellas and a rain coat in the entryway closet. In the top of the closet is more toilet paper if you need it. She thinks of everything! Note: we never experienced flooding while we were there.
So the reasons you should stay at this apartment… 1- Valeria! We hope to find a similar host each time we travel to a foreign country! 2- The amazing view. (The pictures don’t do it justice.) 3- It’s super clean. 4- It’s very safe. And I mean very. You have three keys for three separate entrances to get in. And the apartment door automatically locks when you shut it. But if you then use the key to lock it from the inside, several dead bolts up and down the door lock in like a bank vault. Just keep your phone with you when you go out so you can use the flashlight to get into the courtyard gate and the foyer entryway. And then when you get in, turn the lights on in the foyer as well as at the elevator. (An elevator in Venice! Yay!) The lights are on a timer, and you will be able to get into your apartment door much more easily since the switch down at the elevator turns on the lights all the way up the stairs.
In Europe, the foyer starts at floor 0, and your apartment is on the third floor. So really you are on the fourth floor. Part of the reason for the amazing view!
The other reason for the amazing view is that you are ON the Grand Canal. Beautiful! The hustle and bustle can get quite noisy. (It’s much less busy from 8pm to 7am.) I asked for a fan for white noise when I slept and Valeria was happy to oblige.
The apartment itself is spacious… about 900 sq ft. And the ceilings are about 9 ft tall.
The kitchen has a great 3-burner stove with an oven. (No microwave.) And a nice refrigerator with a freezer. Way bigger than the dinky hotel fridges you get. And there are three small ice cube trays and two big glass water bottles to keep your water cold. We really appreciated that.
Important: We are from Texas, USA and we drank the tap water at the apartment the entire time. No problems!
The water heater is in the kitchen. You