Still undecided... but down to 2 apts in Venice. Which one?
 

Hi Fodorites!

Choosing an apartment in Venice is starting to be mindboggling! Too many choices! Here, are our LAST TWO contestants.

Any thoughts? We would prefer a spot where there are more "local" shops & restaurants a bit more off the touristy trail (although we know this is venice! ;-))... Also, has anybody rented from these two agencies?

Merci for your help!

http://www.veniceapartments.org/sain...renier_54.html
http://www.justveniceapartments.com/...to=213&Lang=_2

We have rented from veniceapartments.org before and enjoyed the experience.

Either looks nice. The one in San Marco is likely to be closer to more "stuff". The one on Dorsoduro as I recall that area, you'll need to walk back towards the Accademia for things like restaurants and shops.

The first is by Campo San Maurizio, close to San Marco and all the touristy busy-ness there. Also note that it is on the 3rd floor (U.S. 4th floor) with no elevetor.

I prefer the other, the one Dorsoduro area, for the area's less touristy feel. It's on the 1st floor and seems to have more space.

I prefer the second one also. Good location away from San Marco. And not up all those stairs.

Not far from this (the second) apartment, there's a traghetto (a foot ferry) across the Grand Canal to the San Marco area. That would be a quick way to get to San Marco, without having to walk back to the Accademia bridge and then east again. Or dwelling in that tourist-crowded area.

And there's a small supermarket along the Zattere (the opposite side of Dorsoduro, away from the Grand Canal).

what happened to the other places you were looking at?

There is a Billa supermarket on the Zatterre at the oppostie end from the Dorsoduro apt almost to the Maritime bulding.

I missed the four flights of stairs might make for a nice view but not much fun a few times a day.

I vote for the Dorsoduro one too - I really like that area of the city - sitting by the Zatterre and watching the boat traffic is very pleasant. There are several restaurants in the area that are reasonable and not bad - Venice has alot of high priced bad food IMO. I would not enjoy staying in the middle of the San Marco craziness. Have a great trip!

<i><font color=#777777>"Choosing an apartment in Venice is starting to be mindboggling! Too many choices!...We would prefer a spot where there are more "local" shops & restaurants a bit more off the touristy trail "</font></i>

Apparently, the OP hasn't read the "Who now can stop the slow death of Venice?" article, written by Tom Kington for The Observer. Since tourists are driving up the rental prices of available apartments, it's the tourist market that is leaving Venetian locals homeless. Pretty soon there will be no more "local shops and restaurants off the touristy trail." The tourists are pushing them out.

jojnana,

i'm with [most of] the others here in favouring the dorsoduro apartment.

NYCfoodsnob - I've not read that article - do you have a link you could post? my instinct is to suspct that the situation is more complex than tourists renting apartments.

Fantastique! I guess it's the Dorsoduro one then! And the agency also seems much more pleasant and willing to give me information! I will write my impressions on my return! Merci!

BOOKED!