The apartment is located in a small alley right off two main streets in San Marco. The windows open out over one of these streets. The apartment is quiet given the level of activity around - the solid window shades help keep the room private and quiet. It is clear that Elena has given a lot of thought to the small details - a universal power adapter in a socket, slippers to walk around the house, a wonderfully well equipped kitchen, morning cookies in a tin on the kitchen table, body wash, clean towels upon arrival, etc. Probably the most helpful thing was the detailed map of Venice that she gave us and a very detailed introduction to the key spots to eat and visit (such as the last remaining gondola maker, or the places with good pizza, fish, pasta and Tiramisu). Her recommendations were spot on, and we avoided the tourist traps. We actually ended up going to two of her recommendations more than once during our stay. The stairs to the apartment are characteristically steep and narrow like other buildings in Venice - but we were helped to carry suitcases upstairs. It is difficult to emphasize just how helpful it was to have such a centrally located apartment in a city where you will do a lot of walking and where both drinking water and restrooms cost money!