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'.

Named in keeping with the Palazzo and enjoying a much sought -after south-facing courtyard garden all of its own, the apartment is on the ground floor and allows four guests to luxuriate in air-conditioned luxury within what we think is a true jewel box of a property. Surprisingly secluded yet prominently located near the Church of ‘I Gesuati’ in one of Venice’s most coveted and upmarket residential neighbourhoods, Ca’ Dell’ Ulivo is entered by way of an anonymous arched double doorway leading directly from the Zattere into its dainty secret garden - a paved and furnished haven set away from the madding crowd, where an ancient stone ‘vera da pozzo’ well-head rests in retirement amongst raised borders of newly-planted flowers and established small trees… heavenly. Recently refurbished not as a simple rental apartment but first and foremost for the personal pleasure and occasional enjoyment of its charming owner, the accommodation is adorable and comprises an open plan main living area with two sets of glazed French doors opening onto the garden and bringing ‘the outside in’ during the summer and fine weather. Please note that the operation of air-conditioning and heating are subject to municipality regulation. In general, heating is available from mid-October to mid-April, while air-conditioning is available from mid-April to mid-October. Please contact us for further information. Arrivals after 8pm incur an arrival fee

One step away from stunning canal views across to the island of Giudecca, and within minutes of the Accademia Bridge/Accademia Galleries and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection on Venice’s Grand Canal. A short stroll to the Church of the Salute and to the Punta Della Dogana Museum of Contemporary Art at Dorsoduro’s Eastern tip, and close to a great choice of eating places and bars along, and close to, the Zattere, including the well-known gelataria ‘Da Nico’; ‘Osteria Al Squero’ and ‘Cantinone Gia Schiavi - Al Bottegon’ (perfect venues for a spritz and ‘cicheti’); ‘Lineadombra’ and ‘Ristorante Riviera’ for an evening of fine dining, or for something simpler, ‘Ae Oke’ with its mind-boggling array of eat-in or takeaway pizza (perhaps stopping at ‘El Chioschetto’ on the way!). An easy walk to the Conad supermarket at the western end of the Zattere and, for Venice-lovers, within moments (via a short covered alleyway or ‘sottoportego’) of the sleepy calle near Campo Sant’ Agnese where, in a scene from the classic 1955 David Lean film ‘Summertime’, Katharine Hepburn and her street urchin companion laughingly cool themselves down in the waters of the neighbourhood fountain.