Castello was a neighbourhood I didn't know well and thought it was a bit remote but staying there revealed a relaxed and lovely part of Venice. The room is very private with its own bathroom up a back flight of stairs. The main home is up one flight of stairs from the entrance with an umbrella stand by the door. This is the "piano nobile" with very high ceilings. Silvia's family are artists and the home is filled with ancient and modern art. Silvia's utterly charming Mother, Floriana, makes sure the breakfasts are ample and that guests are comfortable. Two cats and a lifetime of books and plants make the home very special. There are many quiet calli in the area at night but I felt very safe even walking alone. Celestial and Ospedale vaporetto stops are both reasonably close but once I had figured out the main routes, walking was always quicker from San Marco or Cannaregio. One added delight was having a clothesline outside the bathroom window that looked into a marvellous Mediterranean garden.