By Venetian standards, I suspect this is an unusually spacious apartment; it's in a quiet, yet strategically located neighborhood with all of the amenities a traveler could hope for, along with a certain idiosyncratic, slightly dog-eared charm that may not appeal to those who insist on brand-new Ikea furniture and Motel-Six blandness. The marble-floored living room is decorated with paintings and drawings by the owner's father and furnished with overstuffed mustard-colored couch and armchair. The master bedroom is large and comfortable; the two other bedrooms are long and narrow, as if in a ship's berth, but ideal for teenage (or younger) children. The place is bright, with lots of windows and a small balcony overlooking a canal, where you can enjoy coffee in the morning. The kitchen is tight but perfectly adequate; look out the window and you'll see the neighbors hanging their laundry. There's a very cozy neighborhood grocery story nearby and some decent, canal-front restaurants. Best of all, perhaps, is the location. It's an 8-minute walk from Piazzale Roma, making it extremely convenient for those arriving by train, or by bus or taxi from the airport. Piazzale Roma is also the first vaporetto stop on the Grand Canal, so if you board there, you can get a coveted seat at the front of the boat with superb, unobstructed views of the city and the passing maritime traffic as you chug toward the Piazza San Marco. (If you are so inclined, you can jump off the boat at the Rialto bridge or the Accademia.) I have been to Venice many times, and I cannot recommend this place highly enough for budget-minded travelers with a sense of adventure who still insist on a minimum level of comfort and convenience.