Seeking the wisdom of the Flist

[intertext]

I know that several (possibly many) of you have been to Venice. I'm planning a trip in June, and want to rent an apartment. I've got an offer of one right off St Marks Square - it's TINY, but the price is right and I like what reviewers have said about the landlady (and it's on the 2nd floor). However, just not sure whether just off St Marks Square would be really desirable or not... Any thoughts or ideas? If you were going to stay in Venice, especially if it were your first visit and potentially your once-in-a-lifetime chance to go, where would you choose to stay?

Comments

[altariel.livejournal.com]

We stayed in this hotel (http://www.scottdunn.com/accommodation/bauer-il-palladio-hotel-and-spa.html) on Guidecca, which was incredibly quiet. St Mark's Square was heaving during the day (this was Easter) - I don't know what it would be like at night. Advice from a friend who'd lived there was to walk away from St Mark's once we'd seen it and explore the rest of Venice. Excellent advice. The entire rest of the city is worth seeing and there's no need to stay around St Mark's when there are many beautiful and quieter squares to explore.

We booked to go on the Secret Tour of the Doge's palace (http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=21214), which was a brilliant couple of hours. Other highlights for me were the Frari and the Peggy Guggenheim collection. We didn't get out to Torcello, which I do regret.

But by far the best thing about being there was wandering around, finding a quiet square to sit, drinking coffee, looking at the gorgeous colours...

[oursin.livejournal.com]

Ooh yes, the Peggy Guggenheim.
Also recommended, the Scuola de San' Rocco.
Do not eat in the cafeteria at the Doge's Palace, it's awful.