Francesca was very communicative and helpful both before and during our stay. She sat down with us and gave us specific suggestions for both dining and sightseeing. The apartment itself is very nice, the highlight being the fact that it sits right on the Grand Canal. Tourist boats go by and everyone waves at you when you look out the window, thinking you're a local resident. The location is great. There is some crude graffiti on the walls in the alleys leading to the apartment, but you get to all the major sites in Venice by foot, easily. (We found walking was generally quicker than taking a vaporetto, even to the far end of the island). There's a washing machine for laundry but no dryer (common in Italy). Only real complaint is the low ceilings. People over 6'2" will have to get used to crouching throughout the apartment.