It's rare that you'll find hosts as welcoming and helpful as Ludo & Kinzika. Their apartment is beautiful and has anything a traveler could want. They provide you with great recommendations on things to eat and drink and see around Venice and Mestre, and explain the transit system to help you get where you're going straight away. I got right into Venice as if I were a local thanks to Ludo's tips. Forget staying on the Islands, just stay with them and catch the short bus into town.