Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great location to enjoy Venice

Guest: Jeff (wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 03/21/12 Review Submitted: 04/02/12

Terrific location; Great neighborhood outside the building for meals, shopping, enjoyment; Easy for 2 vaporetto stops; Easy walks to major sites; small park just outside door and very large park within 3 minute walk; kitchen is very good; washer and clothes line are a big help; internet very good/fast; only challenge is top floor location for initial entry (with luggage) but after that the top floor location is a good thing. We are a family of 4 with 2 sons ~10 and all enjoyed the apartment.

Recommended for:Families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

A Serene Getaway in La Serenissima

Guest: Desi (Sicily)
Date of Stay: 01/19/12 Review Submitted: 01/23/12

This apartment is perfect for families of small children. Myself, my husband, our three-year-old and our five-month-old have just completed a stay here and enjoyed it thoroughly. The location is ideal for sightseeing - an easy walk to Piazza San Marco. Via Garibaldi is a thirty second walk away where you can find super markets, restaurants, a few fabulous bakeries and anything else you could need or desire. The island of Sant'Elena is very close as well and perfect for a morning or afternoon run - there are also playgrounds on Sant'Elena and a little closer in the Biennale gardens for your children. The views are amazing. The apartment itself is well stocked with pots, pans, dishes, linens, etc. I definitely recommend choosing this apartment for your stay in Venice. Ms. Burbank is a pleasure to work with and very accommodating. You won't regret it :)

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful Venice

Guest: M.M (Victoria, Australia)
Date of Stay: 01/15/12 Review Submitted: 02/08/12

My family (2 adults and 2 children, aged 12 and 14) stayed in this apartment in January 2012. It is easily accessed with two vaporetto stops nearby. We bought a 3 day pass and simply hopped on and off whenever we didn't feel like walking. Venice is magnificent and we were not disappointed by the apartment. The photos accurately reflect the apartment. The main bedroom is very spacious with a stack of storage space in cupboards. We did not use the loft space as it is rather tiny but used the pull out sofa bed instead. The apartment has all utensils and appliances that are needed as well as a small supply of the basics (tea, coffee, oil etc). It is important to stress that the stairs are very steep and the stairway is narrow but this was really only a problem upon arriving with luggage and then again leaving (but we were forewarned and besides, we needed to burn off some calories!) We felt very safe in Venice (actually in all of Italy) and we would love to return. The streets around the apartment reflect more of a 'local' feel than other parts of Venice, so it was very quiet and relaxing. Thank you Linda, we hope to return one day.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Venice is Better!

Guest: Michigan Traveler (Spring Lake)
Date of Stay: 12/24/11 Review Submitted: 03/27/12

“Venice is better.” The Fran Lebowitz quote on the website seems to sum up the Venice experience perfectly. We arrived, the victims of an excruciatingly long travel day, at the Arsenale Alilaguna stop, late on Christmas Eve. Re-reading Linda’s detailed directions from there to the apartment allowed us to beeline to the front door without a single mis-step, and even the descriptions of the little quirks that accompany older buildings (which virtually all buildings in Venice are) were spot-on, allowing us to get through the ground floor door, up the stairs and into the apartment with absolutely no hassle. Once into the apartment, though, Linda and Sam’s capabilities as hosts really shone. From over five thousand miles away, they had helped us to plan for Christmas in a country we’d not been to before, and to which we arrived at one of the more difficult arrival times on the calendar: midnight Christmas Eve. The fridge had been stocked with our requested (and paid for) items – enough for snacking and a meal should we find ourselves in a pinch (we didn’t) through Christmas and the 26th, which is a fairly major family-oriented holiday in Venice. Linda also helped us to find a wonderful (and open) restaurant to make Christmas-day reservations for this very special family Christmas. Exceptionally responsive, they were even helpful and incredibly knowledgeable from their great distance when we had a minor hot water issue, putting us back on track quickly. The pictures and description of the apartment were perfectly accurate, and Linda’s volume of helpful information really bridges the gap between apartment living (where one can experience more closely what it’s like to actually live in the place being visited, but in which information of “going’s on about town” may be more limited), and hotel life (not a home, but generally stocked with helpful information about the locality). Of the three apartments we stayed in during our Italian holiday excursion, we were easily the most at home here. Depending on the attitude of those traveling with you, it is possible that Linda’s description of the apartment best sleeping 2-3 people, is completely accurate. For us, with one teen and one pre-teen, the competition to sleep in the little loft was keen, negating the problem completely, and allowing the four of us complete comfort while not having to deal with bedclothes in the living room. I sincerely hope to stay in the Dream of Venice apartment again!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Our Sept 2011 stay in Venice

Guest: Randy M (Leawood, Kansas)
Date of Stay: 09/11/11 Review Submitted: 09/17/11

The owners left very detailed instructions on how to use everything in the apartment, as well as a thorough list of shops on the nearest main street. The rooms were very clean and well-ordered, and the description / photos showed us exactly what to expect. I would also add that the owners are available to answer questions via e-mail. It was close to tourist attractions via boat but far-enough off the beaten track to be quiet at night. We really felt we were in the real Venice!

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Lived like Venetians!

Guest: Karen (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 09/01/11 Review Submitted: 09/13/11

My husband and I along with our 2 teenage daughters spent 3 wonderful days in Venice, and lived like Venetians in Linda's great, great apartment. Yes, you must climb 58 steps to get to "the dream", but it is SO worth it. Linda was great about communicating with us, she has a detailed "manual" in the apartment that lists everything from pharmacies to her favorite restaurants. The WiFi is such a bonus, as is the washer - we rented a couple of other apartments on our trip, and they didn't come with a washer, which makes it a bit tricky as far as either packing enough or figuring out where to wash clothes. That is obviously NOT an issue at Linda's place. We loved being there, and would recommend the place to anyone looking for a real-feel Venetian apartment.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Wonderful Apartment and Terrific Location

Guest: Camille (Jackson Hole, WY)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 07/11/11

A friend and I came to Venice for the Venice Biennale opening in early June and had the very good fortune to stay in this Dream of Venice apartment. The location could not have been better for our purposes. We were located between the Arsenale and the Giardini - only a short 5 minute walk to either place and just off the Grand Canal. This location was not only very convenient for the Venice Biennale, but the neighborhood was charming and there were not the hoards of tourists in the streets that one finds closer to San Marco. The vaporetto stops are equally convenient to access other parts of Venice with little to do. The guide to the neighborhood left in the apartment was extremely helpful as well. I was able to locate anything from a coffee to an adapter with very little hassle. And the phone that was provided in the apartment saved me! The apartment is simple and clean and perfect for a couple and a child (or two if you use the pull out couch) or one additional adult. I extend a huge thank you to the owners for making our experience so great.

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Pleasant stay in Castello

Guest: Beeb (Brisbane, Australia)
Date of Stay: 04/11/11 Review Submitted: 05/11/11

My husband and I stayed in Linda's apartment for two weeks in April 2011. It was very comfortable, especially the bed which was beautiful (more like a king size) as was the bedroom itself with the afternoon sun streaming in providing a lot of cozy warmth. We enjoyed the views of the lagoon with the large ocean liners coming and going and the park next door. We loved the neighbourhood, Castello, which is a real Venetian neighbourhood with only a smattering of tourists which makes you feel as though you are really living in Venice which is want we wanted. Via Garibaldi is the main street in Castello and has absolutely everything you could require and Linda provides a good directory to all the shopping and amenities in the area. There is a really good internet point in via Garibaldi run by Gianni who is very nice. We dropped our camera and needed to buy another one which we did from Gianni at a price I don't think you would get anywhere else in Venice - such is the beauty of living among the "real" Veneziani. The apartment itself is smaller than it appears on the website and I would suggest that it would not suit larger sized people as the bathroom and shower are quite compact and the steps up to the loft are more like a ladder which I did not feel inclined to use. My husband did use them, however, and he felt that the loft space would be mostly suitable for children rather than adults as the ceiling is low and the room very compact also. Linda let us know that the television was not working the week before we arrived in Venice which was a bit disappointing given that we were staying for two weeks and we did not have a computer so contact with the outside world was minimal although we did buy an international newspaper daily. The last thing I should comment on are the 58 steps which Linda makes no secret of in her website and reviews. The steps are demanding, not just in number but also that they are steep and the staircase narrow. Luggage is a challenge to take up to the apartment (although you only have to do this once) as is shopping but my feeling is that if you are in any way unfit or unsteady on your feet or have small children, this apartment would not be suitable for you. Other than these few points I hve mentioned, I really enjoyed dealing with Linda who was very helpful in all ways associated with the rental.

Owner response:I was happy to hear how much these renters enjoyed their time in Venice, our neighborhood, and our apartment. We do everything we can to make sure that everyone's stay is pleasant. Unfortunately, the television was stopped working before this guest's stay, but it is working again now. The apartment does have free high-speed wireless internet access so it's easy to keep in touch with people back home, but guests need to bring their own computers, iPads, or smart phones. Thanks to this reviewer for the good tip on the local internet point for those who travel without electronic gadgets!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

We Loved Every Moment

Guest: Pam, Alan & Katie (Victoria, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/17/11 Review Submitted: 03/27/11

Thanks to Linda and Sam and their charming apartment, our 6 night stay in Venice was a dream vacation. The apartment was spotless, comfortable and well situated in a lovely neighbourhood. Especially helpful were Linda's notes on practically every shop and restaurant on the nearby Via Garibaldi, with notes on each to help us choose where to shop. The location was perfect - only 10 minutes from San Marco Square, with the Biennalle Gardens just around the corner. The views from the windows were lovely, the beds were comfortable, and the kitchen was very well equipped. We cooked several lunches and dinners, which made us feel at home. The second small bedroom was perfect for our teenage daughter, who was delighted to have her own space. Yes, there are indeed 58 steps, but we needed the workout. Our dream is to return one day to Venice.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Amazing apartment

Guest: Ed (Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/26/11 Review Submitted: 05/06/11

After traveling for over 3 months staying in Linda's apartment is definitely one of the highlights of my journey. Every need that could be conceived Linda has anticipated and provided for. The apartment is immaculate and the location is superb. You can soak in the key tourist spots only moments away and just as quickly find authentic, atmospheric Venice. Linda was more than willing to provide advance email advice to make my arrival go smoothly. Canadians will appreciate that the apartment is just around the corner from Giovanni Cabotto's home!

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect Venetian Apartment

Guest: Camille (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 10/16/10 Review Submitted: 12/29/11

Myself and 2 friends took the trip of a lifetime and visited Italy in October of 2011. Venice, and this apartment was our first stop. The Apartment was easy to find (thanks to Linda's detailed instructions on how to get to the apartment). We were wary of the many steps the previous reviewers had mentioned but honestly, they weren't that bad! The only time they were a trifle unfortunate was when we had to carry our luggage up them. This apartment is perfect locationa as well. The thing to remember about venice, is it's actually pretty small. My friends and I walked the entire city, and it the walk at night to the apartment was a lovely way to wind down the night. The area is also very safe. We were 3 young ladies on our own and never once felt in danger in/around this apartment (or really, in Venice at all). There are restaurants and wine bars literally around the corner from this apartment as well. I would recommend this apartment to anyone! The only problems we did have were with the electricity and convertors, but I think that was more user error than a fault to the apartment. Linda is super responsive, and upon arriving when we did not have enough linens, she very quickly responded to my email to tell me where I could find them. She is super helpful. This apartment was great, and we really enjoyed our time there.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Living like locals

Guest: Peggy and Bill (Peninsula, OH)
Date of Stay: 09/17/10 Review Submitted: 11/14/10

We spent 4 memorable days in Venice. The city was simply enchanting, the weather lovely, and Linda's charming apartment was the perfect home base for us. Last year we rented an apt in Rome, and while the Trastevere location was great, the apt itself was tired and grubby feeling, not to mention pricey. We figured that's what one can expect from a rental apt. Now, after staying at Linda's place, our standards have been raised to a whole new level. This apt was just as described. It was spotless, comfortably and attractively furnished, very well-equipped, ideally located, and although compact, it actually felt roomier than expected. It was quiet for sleeping, even with the windows wide open. The building is very secure. Just be aware that there are 58 steep steps to climb so whatever you do, don't overpack! Linda went out of her way to answer all our questions ahead of time which helped in our planning. Once we arrived, we poured over the big house book waiting in the apt. It covers everything you could possibly need, from menus and maps to basic Italian vocab and how to work the washing machine. It's clear she sincerely wants her guests to enjoy their stay. As first timers in Venice, we were unsure which area would be "best" to stay in. It's confusing when you look at a map, Venice can seem so big and we were worried about being too far away from certain things. However the lure of being "off the beaten track" was too much to resist. As it turns out, this was an exceptional area to stay in. First of all, nowhere in Venice is very far away. You can easily walk, or take the Vaporetto, anywhere you want to go. This apartment is in the Castello neighborhood down at the quiet end of the island. We so enjoyed coming "home" to our peaceful neighborhood after sightseeing. Each morning we would head out early and just wander aimlessly around our area, soaking up the local flavor. We were greeted warmly by everyone in the shops and cafes. It was easy to see why Linda and Sam fell in love with Venice, and chose Castello for their home. An unexpected surprise was the nearby park. If I'm not mistaken, this is the only real chunk of green space in Venice, and it's right around the corner from the apt. It was a cool, green oasis and we made time to stroll through it every day. We loved living like locals. We almost feel sorry for people who stay in stuffy, crowded hotels. They are missing out on so much of the Venice experience. We highly recommend this charming apt

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

We lived the dream!

Guest: Robyn (belmont,victoria,Australia)
Date of Stay: 09/08/10 Review Submitted: 10/17/10

Venice was fabulous and so was this apartment. Everything from the location to the amenities was fantastic. It's in a great spot really close to all the action but far enough from the day trippers to fee like you are living like a local. Great restaurants and supermarkets just a few steps away and a beautiful well-appointed apartment with all mod cons made our stay wonderful. Linda and Sam have made sure that everything is taken care of, including helpful suggestions on great places to eat. The views from the apartment were an added bonus and we loved the huge bed looking over the roof tops. We would definitely love to return to our little home away from home.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Home away from home

Guest: Stephen L. (Toronto)
Date of Stay: 08/27/10 Review Submitted: 10/17/10

This is a great place to all those who don't like staying in hotels and want to feel like one of the locals. Entirely self-contained apartment with full kitchen, washing machine, internet and a/c. Quiet on top floor with nice view over the park. Close to vaparetto stop, grocery store, and fresh fruit market, waking distance to Giardini and San Marco square. Linda's communication with her guests are lightning fast and top notch. Highly recommended...except to those who have trouble with stairs (there are no elevators to get to the apartment).

Recommended for:Families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Lived the dream!

Guest: Joan and Mary (Haddam, CT)
Date of Stay: 07/20/10 Review Submitted: 10/24/10

My partner and I stayed in this apartment for three nights during a three week trip to Italy in July 2010 and were not disappointed. Linda and Sam provided us with every possible piece of information and detail that we needed prior to arriving in Venice which also included the exact vaporetto to get to the correct stop. Once we arrived in the apartment, there was a binder of detailed information about Venice -- where to go, how to use the washer/dryer, how to turn on the a/c, etc. No stone was left unturned! The apartment itself is charming, comfortable, clean and in the most perfect location - the Castro district - away from the tourist sites and hustle/bustle of Venice. Very close, however, to St. Mark's Square. It was extremely hot while we were in Venice, so we spent the early part each day being tourists, hung in the apartment WITH A/C from 12 - 4, and then went out in the afternoon/evening when the sun went down. There is a wonderful guest registry in the apartment that was fun to read -- we found a few restaurants that were highly recommended -- and Linda and Sam also gave us tips of where to go. We look forward to our next trip to Venice and highly recommend this apartment.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Sam and Linda's in Venice

Guest: Alan and Taku (Berkeley, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/13/10 Review Submitted: 11/10/10

What a great place to stay, Sam and Linda’s apartment. Just a short walk from San Marco’s Square and a few minutes from the vaporetto stop (two choices), off the beaten path yet with a view of the Lido and San Giorgio Maggiore across the Laguna from the bedroom window. While we were there a cruise ship sailed by with half the population of Chicago and all we heard were the seagulls. Especially helpful were the maps and guides to restaurants. We weren’t there long enough to enjoy the kitchen, but appreciated having an air-conditioned getaway from the mid-June heat when the feet gave out from trekking all over this gorgeous city. Hope next time we go back the place is available!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

great Venice rental

Guest: Nina (Albuquerque, NM USA)
Date of Stay: 06/09/10 Review Submitted: 10/17/10

We had a wonderful stay in this rental which was located in a perfect Venetian neighborhood. It was a short walk to the ferries, gelatto, fresh cheese, fruits and vegetables, and bread shop within a minutes walk. The rental was clean, comfortable and had many extras to make you feel at home. We enjoyed playing ping pong at the park around the corner with the paddles that were provided. The owner had great communication and was very helpful in answering questions we had. This is a great place to stay!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Stairway to Paradise

Guest: Lisa (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 01/26/10 Review Submitted: 10/15/10

Our week-long stay in this spotlessly clean, beautifully appointed and comfortable apartment was a perfect belated honeymoon/50th birthday celebration. We couldn’t have been happier with the location. After spending most days on the beaten tourist path, we appreciated being able to return to an apartment that felt like home. We frequently joined the evening parade of real Venetians down Via Garibaldi, just steps from the entrance to the apartment building. We like to cook in as well as eat out when we’re abroad, and we had some lovely meals with ingredients assembled from local grocery stores, a fruit/vegetable market, bakery, deli, etc. Our trip took place in the January low season and we would never go to Venice any other time, despite some of the most intense cold I have ever experienced – and I’m from Minnesota! The apartment heat is efficient, however, and the hot water ample. We appreciated the washing machine, dishwasher, and especially the wireless Internet which allowed us to Skype with our young son at home. One of the best reasons to rent this apartment, especially for those relatively new to Venice, is the wealth of information the owners provide in advance. We had many questions ranging from how to buy opera tickets to how best to transfer to other parts of Italy. The owners live in Venice for months/years at a time and chances are they have been there, done that, and can advise you on it. It’s comforting to rent from people who want you to love their Venetian home as much as they do, and who go out of their way to make it happen. A Word About The Stairs. Yes, there are many, many stairs you must climb to get to this apartment. It’s a haul, especially at the end of a long day with a couple bags of groceries or wine bottles in tow. I am relatively fit and my husband is a year-round cyclist, and these stairs were tough for us, every time. But if you’re healthy and can undertake a moderate hike, you should be fine – but make no mistake, your heart will pound as you ascend. This apartment is worth the climb. We would go back in an instant.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The perfect place to stay

Guest: Bob (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 04/15/09 Review Submitted: 01/10/11

A delightful apartment and the perfect place for our 6 week stay in Venice. On the top floor of a quiet building in Castello, the apartment is just far enough from the central tourist area to offer relief from the crowds but close enough (and Venice is small enough) that we could walk to Piazza San Marco in 10-15 minutes. Steps away from the apartment in one direction is Via Garibaldi, the neighborhood shopping area frequented by locals where we bought our groceries. Steps away in the other direction is the bay, a magnificent view of the city, and a pleasant-enough café where we often had a cappuccino and brioche in the morning or an afternoon drink. The apartment itself is clean, well-maintained and thoughtfully furnished, with a large and comfortable master bedroom, a smaller bedroom/study that we used when we had guests, a loft study that provided a wonderful writing retreat, and a kitchen/dining/living area that had everything we needed for cooking, cleaning, and hosting guests on the pull-out sofa that is firm and comfortable both as a sofa and as a bed. As the pictures accurately show, the apartment is very attractive and we found it a very pleasant place to be when the weather kept us indoors. Linda was wonderfully helpful from the moment we first contacted her about renting the apartment – we’ve rented apartments abroad before and have never felt the kind of concern that Linda shows that her guests have a great experience of the apartment and of the city. We couldn't recommend it more highly.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.