hi, y'all,

yes I've done my seaches, before you ask, but i hope that I'd be able to pick up any tips from you guys as well.

we need 2 bedrooms [one twin as we are taking the kids again, do we never learn] and I fancy staying in san polo/dorsoduro this time.

we're going at Easter 2008 and we'll be there for a week. [no mad dashes for us - this is definitely slow travel]

any ideas you may have will be gratefully received.

regards, ann

La Calcina has several suites and there is an apartment above the suite we stayed in last year. Before checking out I walked up stairs to see the apt. The maids were cleaning it and invited me to have a look around. It looked great--small kitchen appeared to be well equipped and I think had W/D and dishwasher. The location is great and area is nice and quiet. Can't comment on the price but LC is considered moderate.The hotel (Pensione) is very near the Zattere vaporetto stop.

We are (and have) renting from Denise at venicerentals.com for our month in Venice during the Christmas holidays.

You email them your requirements and they will email you back with several suggestions (they manage a lot of apartments). Denise is american, her husband is italian and they live in Venice.

Good luck in your planning.

We used www.veniceapartments.org and were very satisfied. Their office, where you retrieve the keys, is close to the train station. The staff are most helpful - relaxed and funny, yet thorough and reliable.

The spacious 1 bedroom, 2 bath apartment we stayed in (Fegalliano) would likely be too small for your needs unless you slept on the sofabed in the living room or in the low-ceilinged loft, leaving the twin-bedded master bedroom to your kids.

But for what it's worth: Fegalliano was an exceptional place and an exceptional deal. So I feel I can vouch for the calibre of their product, even based on this tiny sample.

you might try the vbella.com web site and by the way, sign-up for their newsletters which are loaded with ideas, suggestions, and lots more. I have made inquiries with them. Also can email [email protected]. I am considering an apt. in Verona late May.

Best of luck and enjoy your trip.
Sledge

thanks to all of you for these very helpful suggestions.

I've thought of a bit of a snag with when we're arriving - late on Easter Sat night is not a great time for stocking up the fridge!

one option would be to arrive on Good Friday, stay in a hotel over night, then do our shopping on the sat am - does anyone know whether there is a left-luggage facility at the main railway station in venice?

thanks again,

regards, ann