Venice was our first stop during our European tour. When we approached the entrance to the palazzo, we were instantly enchanted by the beautiful building and garden. We loved our time in Venice and staying in the Contessa apartment played a huge role in assuring our comfort. The location is absolutely wonderful, within easy walking distance of all the main attractions in Venice. The Castello neighborhood is charming and quiet. The apartment was very peaceful and comfortable for our family of four. The air conditioned bedroom was a life saver on the one hot day we were there. The apartment is very well appointed and felt like an oasis for us after a busy day of touring the city. We recommend Italy Perfect highly because of the superb accommodations and the personal attention we received.

The Contessa was very much as portrayed. It was really quite magical to open the great wooden door into the courtyard and step into this lovely green space with marble staircase to our right and the water gate straight ahead. We did abide by the rule: no lingering in the courtyard. We always felt those walking by as we entered were curious and envious that we could access this lovely quiet private space.

The apartment itself was very comfortable. In the living room area (ceilings about 16 or 17 feet) there are two couches, a large round coffee table. The dining area's ceiling is not so high as the sleeping loft is above it. There is wi-fi which was a great boon to keep in touch with home and looking up items of interest in Venice. The kitchen was very well equipped and had the best light in the apartment. Other areas had low but adequate light; the kitchen was where I could really read. The kitchen has a dish washer which we didn't use. The full bath downstairs was reasonable large with a separate adjacent room where the washing machine was housed (easy to operate and a great help). The upstairs bedroom was comfortable. Initially I feared the ceilings would seem too low, but that was not the case. The half bath with the bedroom was very convenient - and small.

There were just the two of us. We could imagine a family using the loft which included a double bed, cot and baby bed, but not easily two couples. We felt the space worked well for we two.

The location was excellent. It was near enough to St. Marks Piazza, the Rialto bridge, etc. but far enough away that the nearest campos (Santa Maria Formosa and Santa Marina) had a decided local feel during the evenings. There were specialty food and wine stores close by, a grocery store as well, and a really good bakery a few campos away.

Paola was very helpful, meeting us at Santa Maria Formosa, guiding us to the apartment, and patiently showing us how to operate all appliances, going over the rules, and making sure we could reach her if needed. She also made sure that the cleaning crew came a week into our stay and checked with us periodically to be sure we were OK. On leaving we had an early morning flight (7:00 am) which meant we needed a water taxi at 4:00 or so in the morning. Paola made the arrangements for our pick up and gave us the name and phone numbers for the water taxi owner. He was at Santa Marina ten minutes early and ready to speed us to Marco Polo.

We rented an apartment in Rome for a month several years ago and this rental and process was much more personal and satisfactory than the earlier rental.

I could add more on our favorite sights but may add those later.

The lovely Contessa apartment made our stay in Venice particularly magical. The interior space is tasteful and organized. The coziness of the apartment and its convenient locations just enough off the beaten track felt like an ideal retreat from touring the amazing city of Venice.

We really enjoyed this apartment. It was in a beautiful setting, the inside courtyard - and the location was very convenient for both walking and taking vaporettos on both sides of the part of Venice we were on. The space was great for a family. It would have been nice to have drying rack for clothes - it was a little humid while we were there and as such we decided not to do any laundry without a rack. We did enjoy a wonderful seafood supper in a restaurant we cannot reacall the name of - but it is right next to the ristorante Marco Polo on the Salizzada San Lio - and has an orange sign - perhaps Paola could forward the name. Speaking of the Salizzada San Lio - walking from the apartment and turning left takes you to a great bakery, on your left on the corner, a great fruit store across from the bakery and an actual grocery store on corner across from the bakery - although this one is not open on Sunday. In the other direction, right over the bridge to the Campo San Marina takes you on your left to a great cafe for that morning macchiato.

We loved being in Venice for the Biennale. We enjoyed the greeter and her dry sense of humour very much. She was very helpful at our arrival - giving us, information, buying the kids gelato at the best gelato place in Venice she told us near the apartment - Boutique del Gelato also on Salizzada San Lio and walking with us to a grocery store. At our departure she arranged for a taxi and escorted us and waited with us at the pick up point. We had an excellent trip and look forward to a return visit for another Biennale.

Just wanted to thank you for getting us set up in Venice. "La Contessa" was just perfect for us.  We were operating on the schedule of a two-year-old so you can imagine how important it was for us to have a well-located base. The greeter was fantastic.  She met us and led us in from the San Marco vaporetto stop on a busy Sunday (can you imagine us with the baggage and the people!).  We had fantastic weather and a wonderful visit. I'm ready to go back tomorrow.  We'll be in touch for next year! Warm regards!