Views on Venice was founded in the late 1990’s when the concept of short term apartment rentals was in its infancy and rarely considered an option by most visitors to the city. As a ‘thirty-something’ Venetian excited by the new business and communication opportunities offered by the internet, I decided to link up with a close childhood friend in creating a partnership which, at the time, was a novelty in Venice. The idea we had in mind was to approach the traditional management of my family’s apartments from an entirely different angle, while at the same time resisting the attentions of those wanting to transform my family's palazzo into a prestigious hotel. Our aim was to offer these apartments, as well as those of friends, for rental to an international clientele who’d take pleasure in the comfort, freedom and authenticity of ‘living at home as a Venetian’ rather than merely observing the city from the confines of an anonymous hotel room or suite. The common denominator then, as now, was to offer ‘something extra’ amidst an already extraordinary city - an added dimension which turns a ‘stay’ into an ‘experience’ and a 'dream' into 'reality'.

The apartment is reached via an external staircase leading directly up from a secret little courtyard garden (SO typical of Venice) to a spacious tiled terrace all of its own. A splendid spot for relaxing and for taking in the atmosphere, the terrace (furnished with table and chairs) offers tranquil garden and rooftop views plus a small sideways glimpse towards a quaint Venetian bridge and the flourishing fondamenta leading directly to the Guggenheim - perfect for watching the art-lovers go by! Once inside, accommodation comprises a roomy and well-presented sitting/dining room with cool terrazzo flooring, a sofa, wooden beams and two windows overlooking the hidden little Rio delle Torreselle canal below; a simple yet well-equipped galley-style kitchen perfectly sufficient for easy self-catering; a large bright bedroom with double bed, terrazzo flooring and two windows looking onto the terrace, and an up-to-date bathroom with nicely tiled shower.

Peaceful accommodation and much-prized outside space - a ‘delizia per due’ in a classy locale. Close to three vaporetto (water bus) stops - Accademia, Zattere and Spirito Santo - for easy travel around the city and to a great selection of little shops, bars and restaurants including the canal-side Cantinone Storico, the tiny and convivial Corner Pub, the upmarket Ai Gondolieri and Agli Alboretti and the popular Bar da Gino serving super panini. Moments to Campo San Vio where one can sit and watch the boats chug by along the Grand Canal (and the setting for a number of scenes in David Lean’s classic 1955 film ‘Summertime’ starring Katharine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi), and a stone’s throw to the ‘traghetto’ at Calle Lanza/Calle Del Tragheto San Gregorio ferrying passengers by gondola across the Grand Canal to Santa Maria Del Giglio and the attractions of San Marco.