The apartment in Venice was great. Nina provided us with very clear and detailed instructions on how to get to the apartment from the train station, and Francesco was there to meet us. The apartment is in a great location and in a very old building with lots of character, which was fantastic for our needs. It is worth noting that this also means that the apartment is quite small - but perfectly adequate for a family of four (kids 7&9) to stay in. It was clean and had good facilities that work. It's wondeful to get up early in the morning and be right in the middle of Venice - to be able to see the city before and after the crowds come out every day.
Francesco gave us a detailed introduction to the apartment and the area. We followed his advice on good local restaurants for families twice and both times we ate remarkably well. Staying right in the middle of Venice in an historic building was an unforgettable experience - it is an expensive city to visit, but being immersed in the city is definitely worth it. Apartment is on first floor, so not too many stairs ( no lift). Apartment building is quiet and secure.