Francesca was a very welcoming host. We arrived in the city early, and she accommodated us by having her mother collect our bags so we were not stuck with them while the apartment was being cleaned. She also had welcome drinks and snacks ready for us upon check in, which was a nice touch. The apartment is huge by European standards (the largest we encountered on our trip up the Adriatic), the kitchen was well equipped, and it was impeccably clean.

We were drawn to this property because it is situated in a non-touristy district of Venice. It is located near a picturesque square that was full of local families, couples, and children playing throughout the day. It is definitely the location for you if you are looking to avoid the crowds. The local market is very helpful if you're looking to offset some of Venice's high food costs.

That said, the apartment was very difficult to find (GPS has difficulty with Venice's labyrinth of corridors and canals). Francesca was available via phone to assist, but a significant language barrier limited her ability to provide directions. It was ultimately Airbnb's navigation system (on iPhone) that led us to the right location.

Given Venice's heat and humidity, it is important to note that the apartment does not have air conditioning. This was uncomfortable for us, particularly at night. We opted to open the windows, but this allowed mosquitoes to enter.

Also, the lack of available Wi-Fi will be a challenge for some travellers. We had to rely on our European roaming option, which was not required in the other four locations we visited on this trip. Venice is a complicated city with lots to see and do, and Internet access will allow you to plan and maximize your time. Wi-Fi would be a deal-breaker for us if we were to return to Venice.