After our garret efficiency in Paris and our loft in Nice, our apartment in Venice is truly a palace.
Although it is still three flights up and actually two more steps than Paris (Lynn counted), it seems much more easily accessible. The staircase is wider, as in Nice, and the steps are marble, but the progress seems less taxing. Two long flights take us to the first floor, then one short flight reaches our apartment door. It just feels easier.
Inside, we have a full living/dining room furnished in very Venetian style tables, tapestries, chairs and sofas, all accented by a fancy Murano glass chandelier.
The apartment features all the most important kitchen features–a dishwasher, microwave and a gas stove. (The stove is quirky to light in the morning, as the burners seem to have a thermocouple that requires heating up before the fire will stay lit.) A washer/dryer would make it perfect, but the washing machine in the bedroom is disabled and we were told not available to us.
We also have a TV, which unfortunately does not have cable or satellite, so the only watchable channel we have found is 24-hour Italian-language tennis. No CNN, ESPN or BBC, just Italian tennis commentary. Entertaining to watch anyway, because the announcers get very excited and emotional over the most ordinary points in minor league ATP matches.
The bathroom offers a stand-up shower with a full enclosure, our first in Europe. Our garret in Paris had a stand-up shower, but no door, so you had to be conscious of splashing water all over the room. Our efficiency loft in Nice had only a hand-held shower in a tub with a half of a curtain, which was exactly like showering on a boat. For three weeks. In cold weather. Venice is luxury.
And the bedroom. Fit for a queen.
As befits Lynn. We have never slept under a canopy before. We sleep well every night, since the bedroom overlooks the courtyard in the middle of our block, which is unearthly quiet until the church bells wake us at 7:30 a.m. Not a bad way to start any given Venetian morning.