Everything I read on LaCalcina talks about view of the water.This may seem like silly question but is neighborhood "not facing water" similar to other areas of Dorsoduro?The water is not so much a priority for me.Thanks.

I stayed in a hotel facing the water; admittedly it was unique to see the boat traffic traversing the Grand Canal, yet I don't think a room overlooking the water is a must in Venice. I very much enjoyed being in the Dorsoduro district. Quieter than the San Marco area, but just as convenient to sites and restaurants.<BR>

Tina, thanks for response.If I'm interpreting it right,area around LaCalcina is similar to other areas in Dorsoduro, just that the front of it faces the water? I had stayed at Leon Bianco near the Ca D'Oro and liked the neighborhood.couldn't figure out if LaCalcina was somehow separate from the neighborhood since write-ups talk about it being serene and quiet.

La Calcina (a wonderful hotel) faces the Guidecca Canal, not the Grand Canal. The Guidecca Canal is the larger body of water on the other side of the Dorsoduro section; it's also the commercial stretch, and you'll occasionally see larger ships passing through. The Grand Canal is actually smaller, but it's the heart of Venice. La Calcina is in a quieter location because it's not on the Grand Canal. The areas that face the Grand Canal tends to be more crowded and, for me, less pleasant than the opener stretches facing the Guidecca. There is also a long walkway, a fondamente, that stretches along the Guidecca side, and is very pleasant to walk along in an evening. But you're not far way from the Grand Canal; the distances are surprisingly small, and from La Calcina, you can walk to the Grand Canal side in under 5 minutes. I'm one of those who stayed in both the Accademia and La Calcina, and preferred the latter; it's a smallish, classy hotel, and is run well. It's location is just enough away from the density of the crowds to make it more peaceful, yet close enough to get to the rest of the city in no time. I highly recommend it!

Joanne,<BR>Paule gives an accurate description of the neighborhood. When in Venice I stayed at Hotel Galleria. I wasn't seeking a place on Grand Canal. Rather it happened that they had availability & price was right.