Wow -- what a place. The pictures don't do it justice. This is a large, sumptuous space that before long felt like home. All the furnishings were new and inviting, and the home is filled with nice touches, from the marble floors to the wood ceilings.

One of the best features is the neighborhood. If you're looking for a quiet place in the real Venice -- near-silent, narrow stone streets, away from the throngs -- you couldn't do better. Coming home each night, turning down those ancient stone corridors, is a time warp that's a treat in itself.