The apartment is a luxury duplex in early gothic Palazzo. The apartment has been fully renovated, with respect to its original colors, style and materials. You will find that it is an extremely pleasant stay, because it is quiet, very sunny, spacious: the apartment measures 140 sqm (1506 square feet). There are three confortable bedrooms, a large, fully functional, nicely equipped moder kitchen, three bathrooms and large living room. The living room has a fireplace. the apartment is fully furnished with all necessary conforts, and has a southerly view on a calm canal. All amenities are available: 41 inches LCD TV, Bose sound system with DVD, Internet access with an internet key, A/C. I just purchased a very comfortable, modern couch from the famous italian design brand 'Living' - you will find it quite amazing.

The area of Cannaregio is very venetian, all shops are in the vicinities: market, butcher, groceries, fish, bars, restaurants, banks, supermarket, pharmacies, all within a 200/400 meters radius. The apartment accomodates up to 6 people. The rate is 400 euros/night, 2,200/week.

Cannaregio is the northernmost of the six historic sestieri (districts) of Venice. It is the second largest sestiere by land area and the largest by population,

The Cannaregio Canal , which was the main route into the city until the construction of a railway link to the mainland, gave the district its name. Development began in the eleventh century as the area was drained and parallel canals were dredged. Although elegant palazzos were built facing the Grand Canal, the area grew primarily with working class housing and manufacturing. The history of the Ghetto of Venice is particuarly fascinating. When on March 29th, 1516 the Government of the Serenissima Repubblica issued special laws, the first Ghetto of Europe was instituted. It was an area where Jews were forced to live and which they could not leave from sunset to dawn. The area was closed by gates watched by guards and up till now the marks of the hinges are visible there. Jews were allowed to practice only some professions: they were doctors, because they were the most prepared and able to understand Arab writings, money lenders, because Catholic religion forbade this practice, merchants and 'strazzarioli', ragsellers. However, Jews held successful positions in the city such as merchants, physicians, money lenders, and other trades. The Ghetto existed for more than two and a half centuries, until Napoleon conquered Venice and finally opened and eliminated every gate (1797): Jews were finally free to live in other areas of the city.

In the 19th century, civil engineers built a street named Strada Nuova through Cannaregio, and a railway bridge and road bridge were constructed to connect Venice directly to Mestre. Today, the areas of the district along the Grand Canal from the train station to the Rialto Bridge are packed with tourists, but the rest of Cannaregio is residential and relatively peaceful, with morning markets, neighborhood shops, and small cafés.

RESTAURANTS, BARS & NIGHTLIFE

• Cannaregio: 'Alla Vedova' close to the Ca' d'Oro, “40 Ladroni” and “Anice stellato” in Fondamenta della Sensa. “ Gam Gam” and “da Marisa” for lunch. 'Corte del Remer' between Campo san Bortolomio and Santi Apostoli (also lunchtime);

• Dorsoduro: 'Da Sandro' in Calle Lunga san Barnaba (Dorsoduro), Al Bottegon (san Trovaso, Dorsoduro);

• Castello: 'Corte Sconta'.

• Giudecca: “Figli delle stelle” and “Altanella” in the Giudecca. In the Giudecca you can also find a good restaurant at the naval shipyard 'da Crea' 100 meters from the studio. Orelse, always in the Giudecca, “ai Do Mori” and “Ai cacciatori” (higher quality&price) close to the Palanca vaporetto stop.

• San Marco: Higher up (50/100 eur per person, excellent quality and service): Ai Do Forni (san Marco) and Hotel Monaco (Giardinetti di San Marco)

• Bars and nightlife… if you still have energy at night, nightlife is in the Fondamenta della Misericordia (Cannaregio), Rialto and surroundings (Naranzaria) and Campo Santa Margherita (Dorsoduro). Bar Centrale and Antico Martini (close to the Fenice), al Muro (san Luca). The last stop: Piccolo Mondo Antico in the Accademia (the only nightclub in Venice!).

VISITING

Apart from san Marco (both the Basilica and Palazzo Ducale should not be missed), Rialto, Scuola Grande San Rocco, San Giorgio Maggiore, San Giorgio Degli Schiavoni, the Redentore church in the Giudecca, Basilica della Salute, the Accademia, Santa Maria dei Carmini…the ideal timeframe to visit Venice spans from two weeks (minimum) to a lifetime. There is really a lot to discover. The best thing is to get lost outside of the tourist track, at day or night (Venice is one of the safest cities in the world) in Castello, Dorsoduro, San Polo and Cannaregio.