Wonderful! Only regret: not staying longer.

Guest: Ryan (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 01/26/12 Review Submitted: 02/08/12

My wife and I stayed here for 4 nights in late January. We loved the apartment, and Venice! The basics: The apartment was very clean, modern, comfortable, secure ... everything you'd want when away from home. Nice kitchen, clean, large bathroom. The beyond-basics: The location is awesome. Such a good jumping-off point to the entire city. It's light and airy, thanks to being on the corner, it looks out over the canals. The view is great from the windows. We were vaguely worried that it would be loud, thanks to it's relatively central location, but it was very quiet. Waking up / going to bed to church bells was a welcome serenade. Another plus about the location: it's a very short walk to the apartment from Piazzale Roma, so no need to lug your bags around the city when you first arrive. Perhaps the best part of the apartment, though, was how amazingly helpful Sebastiano was. From the moment we arrived, until we left, he went out of his way to give us advice, directions, even help figuring transportation out (my Italian is awful - nonexistent - but his English is perfect.) We were incredibly thankful to have him there. Thank you Sebastiano! Highly recommended!

Owner response:Dear Friends, thank you very much for your review. See you soon and take care. Sebastiano

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+.

Magical Venice!

Guest: csss (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 11/14/11 Review Submitted: 01/03/12

This was a beautiful apartment, even better than pictured, and the owner was so nice. Location is perfect, especially if you want to be close to the cruise port, train station and buses. Quiet, safe neighborhood. Close to the vaporetto. Will return to this apartment definitely!!! Wonderful time in Venice...

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, age 55+.

Perfecto!

Guest: Peggy and Bill (Peninsula, OH)
Date of Stay: 12/16/11 Review Submitted: 12/24/11

We just returned home from a wonderful week at Sebastiano's delightful apartment in Dorsoduro. I can only echo what the others reviewers have said. Everything was top notch. Nothing was lacking. The apt and amenities were just as described. It was spotless, well equipped, and even warmer and cozier in person than in the photos. The views out every window were picture postcard perfect. Sebastiano even had a little Christmas tree lit in the living room. It was truly the perfect home base while visiting bella Venezia. Sebastiano met us upon arrival and spent time chatting with us about the area, pointing out dining recommendations on the map for us, and sharing some stories about his Venetian childhood. We knew he was only a quick phone call away if we needed anything at all. Like some other reviewers, I was a little worried about the proximity to the bus and train stations, thinking that might mean too many transient types invading the neighborhood. If this is a concern of yours, please rest assured that it is not a problem after all. Once we reached the apartment, we couldn't even tell that we were near the bus station at all. We couldn't see it or hear it, and it was just far enough away that we didn't notice any extra foot traffic. But on the morning of our departure, it was a wonderful convenience to be a short 5 minute walk to the airport shuttle bus. The neighborhood is lovely. There are countless shops, coffee bars, restaurants, bakeries, groceries...everything you need to enjoy yourself. Vaparetto stops are nearby, but we mostly walked because stolling along the charming canals, crossing the pretty bridges, and getting "lost" again and again is half the fun. If you've never been to Venice, just know that you are never very far from anything. So picking the area to stay is more about ambiance of the neighborhood than about distances. This neighborhood was quiet and friendly, and filled with Italians going about their daily activities. We absolutely loved it. Some of our favorite things: Sunday evening mass at San Marco, cioccolato caldo (thick, decedent Italian hot chocolate), early morning cappuccini at Tonolo bakery, returning home every evening, happily exhausted, to our cozy home base. We have stayed in apartments all over, including others in Venice. This one is our new favorite and we hope we are fortunate enough to return again and again. Grazie, Sebastiano!

Owner response:thank you thank you thank you! I hope to see you again in Venice. Take care Ciao, Sebastiano

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.

Venezia!!!!!

Guest: genevieve r. (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/18/11 Review Submitted: 11/30/11

Ahhh beautiful Venice! Thank you Sebastiano for such great welcome! And for all the useful info about the apartment , restaurants, grocery... Osteria ai quattro ferri is really a great place to eat and so friendly. As for the apartment it is just beautiful and very well equipped especially in the kitchen. The view from every window is amazing. The only downside (their just one) is the bed... Every thing so top quality and the bed could use and upgrade to make it a picture perfect Venice getaway. thanks for everything hoping to vista Venice soon gen and nic from Montreal Canada

Owner response:Hi Guys, thanks for you review. I hope you enjoyed your holiday in Italy. I hope to see you agian in Venice, maybe with all your children. Take care Sebastiano

Recommended for:

Wonderful stay in Venice thanks to Sebastiano. Would definitely stay here again.

Guest: John (Duvall, WA)
Date of Stay: 10/23/11 Review Submitted: 11/01/11

My wife and I spent three days and three nights in Venice and Sebastiano's apartment proved to be the perfect place for us to stay. I was a little concerned at first by how close the apartment is to Piazzale Roma, but my fears were quickly put to rest. The area is very quiet and just steps away from important sites like Frari and Scuola Grande di San Rocco, and the wonderful Campo San Polo and Santa Margherita. You're also right around the corner from the Pizzale Roma vaporetto stop and a Coop grocery store. Other important sites like St. Mark's and the Accademia are within easy walking distance (~15 mins). Sebastiano met us in person upon our arrival and kindly walked us through a list of recommended sites and off-the-beaten-path restaurants. The apartment is stocked with an abundance of travel and restaurant guides which were very helpful. By way of amenities, there is a television and stereo (we never turned them on), washing machine, dishwasher, umbrellas, and a nice collection of novels in both English and Italian. Bottom line, we were extremely satisfied and wouldn't hesitate to stay here again on our next visit. Grazie mille, Sebastiano!

Owner response:Dear Friends, thank you very much for your nice review. I hope to see you again in Venice. Ciao and take care Sebastiano

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children.

Exceeded Expectations

Guest: Mary (San Diego, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 06/10/11 Review Submitted: 07/10/11

My husband & I spent 5 nights here in June 2011 and are enthusiastically recommending Sebastiano's apartment to our friends. The description and photos are accurate, but understate the apartment's charm (some of my best photos of Venice were taken from the apartment windows) and quality (Bosch dishwasher and Smeg stove, well-designed closet system). There are many thoughtful touches--a good selection of Venice guidebooks and English-language novels, iPod dock/speakers, supply of laundry detergent & even clothes pins! I was initially concerned about the proximity to the Piazzale Roma, but the location turned out to be great: 5 min walk from the main vaporetto stops, 8 min walk to the San Toma Grand Canal stop. And, as other guests have commented, the apartment was very clean and Sebaastiano was a responsive and knowledgeable host.

Owner response:Dear Mary and John, thank you very much for your nice review. I hope to see you again in Venice. Sebastiano

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, age 55+.

A wonderful stay!

Guest: Tony, Dina, Andreas, Dion (Melbourne, Australia)
Date of Stay: 06/07/11 Review Submitted: 06/25/11

Thank you Sebastiano for the use of your lovely apartment. We thoroughly enjoyed staying there for 3 nights with our two sons. The facilities were excellent and made the apartment feel like a home away from home. Thank you also for all your assistance and recommendations - they were very helpful. The location was perfect. Quiet and perfect for a family to stay in with beautiful views of the canals from our window. Within walking distance to many piazzas and restaurants and not too far to walk to the Rialto bridge and San Marco.

Owner response:Dear friends, thank you for you nice review. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your holiday in Greece and Ciprus. See you soon and take care Sebastiano

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

The perfect apartment in wonderful Venice!

Guest: Lucia e Pietro (Boston, MA - USA)
Date of Stay: 05/28/11 Review Submitted: 06/08/11

We had a memorable stay in Venice and it's mostly thanks to Sebastiano and his lovely Gaffaro apartment, which was truly a gem, a home away from home for our 9 days stay in this beautiful city. We came to Venice wanting to live like the locals and that's exactly what we did. The apartment was exactly as described and the photos were very accurate. This apartment is not only beautiful but it has all the comfort of the modern world in an old world setting. It is so conveniently located, literally steps away from the bus and train stations, in a very quiet neighborhood, away from the touristy areas, but close enough to everything within walking distance or vaporetto ride. The apartment was very fresh, clean and well kept, and everything was working well (wifi, a/c, appliances). Sebastiano is an amazing host. He was so patient with us, answering all our questions and replying to each and every one of our emails (before arriving to Venice but also while we were staying in his apartment). He is so genuine and friendly...he greeted us in person (was there when we arrived, even though our flight had been delayed by 4 hours) and took the time to explain the area and give us some great recommendations for restaurants, gelato shops, patisseries, markets and other attractions, which we tried and truly enjoyed. Our favorites: Restaurant: Ai 4 Feri - Gelato: Grom - Patisserie: Tonolo. There is a nice supermarket called COOP by the bus station where you can find everything you need, and also a small but lovely outdoor fish and fruit/vegetable market at about a 10 minutes walk. We researched a lot before booking this apartment with Sebastiano, and it payed off. We truly enjoyed every minute of our stay and cannot wait to go back to Venice. Although we would love to keep this place a secret so it's available the next time we want to come, if you are considering going to Venice, do not hesitate one moment to book this apartment...we would go back in a heart beat! Thanks again for everything Sebastiano, you're the best!

Owner response:Dear Lucie and Pierre, I don't have enough words to thank you for your review. Thank you again also for you nice present. I hope to see you soon again. Sebastiano

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Superb Venice apartment

Guest: Russ & Michelle (Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England)
Date of Stay: 05/19/11 Review Submitted: 05/31/11

We stayed in this superb apartment at the end of May after much research. There is so much choice in this popular city, but everything about this apartment makes it a perfect base being just a few minutes walk from the bus station. The views are wonderful, overlooking a beautiful canal, frequently used by locals and gondaliers. The area had just the right mixture, being away from the crowds of tourists but near enough to get to all the sights we wanted to see, as Venice is very compact and accessible.The apartment itself is spotless clean, fully modernised with everything you need, a real home from home. Sebastiano was extremely helpful, making us feel at ease and passing on useful advice and information, his English is excellent! We have no hesitation in recommending this fantastic apartment and hope to return in the very near future. Thanks again Sebastiano.

Owner response:Dear Friends, thanks for your nice review (and for the comment about my english :-) ), I hope to see you soon again in Venice. Sebastiano

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

a place to call home

Guest: ladeda (mn)
Date of Stay: 04/22/11 Review Submitted: 05/03/11

We felt so comfortable at this apartment. It's so close to the drop off where the buses bring you from the airport {p.le roma} It was so worth it to have a kitchen, since going to the restaurants can be very expensive. There is a market very close walking distance also to buy fresh food. The apartment was extremely clean and well kept. There was many towels and extra blankets. There is a washing machine and even a authenic laundry rope outside the window to dry your clothes. It also has 3 doors to get in that all lock behind you. Remember to take your keys with you the main door to the apartment locks once you close it! And when you want to open it, you have to turn the key 3 times in order to open, which was common in a lot of places in italy we visited. Also try to bring luggage that doesn't roll, bring backpacks or duffle bags instead. There is many stairs to go over and luggage can be heavy if you are walking to the train station or buses. There is some stairs, to get up to the apartment, but sebastiano carried ours up for us, which was so sweet of him. Venice was also amazing, there is tons of books, maps and other info available in the apartment for reviewing. All the streets were very clean, you can walk during the night time too. Everything was very safe. Every morning you will here people walking to work, whistling and singing. It's very charming, romantic and next time I come to Venice I will stay here again!

Owner response:Dear friends, thanks for your review. I'm happy to hear from a professional that you liked shooting in Venice. I hope to see you again, maybe next time with all your family. Ciao, Sebastiano

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.