Snow fell and Venice was more magical than ever. Found the angel with hedgehogs. Sottoportico dell' Angelo in Castello, minutes away from Piccola Perla  apartment. The Venetians 'aquired' the angel from Anatolia in Eastern Turkey. The family Rizzo placed on the archway above the entrance to a sotoportego, along with the reliefs on either side of porcupines or hedgehogs, which was the insignia of this family. When Napoleon conquered the Venetian Republic and began taking art away, many Venetians began hiding their valuables, and the Rizzo family bricked up their angel. Then the family left or forgot, and the hedgehogs weren’t unearthed until recently. In 1999 they were restored on the sotoportego by World Heritage on Calle Magno off Campo Pozzi.


Added photos to Piccola Perla website.
 
 
Carnival Venice fulfills its fantasy (Availability for Piccola Perla in the middle  of the Carnival 8 to 12 February 2010) . Twelve days in February of Balls , masks and fun.Local Venetians celebrate alongside visitors from all over the world. From glamorously expensive Balls to children's fancy dress competitions, Carnival is like no other.
So the season's come round,Venice as beautiful and sparkling as ever.
I am told that for many people winter is their favourite time in Venice. Scurrying through mists it is so evocative as famous landmarks appear then vanish. Local people call to on another across quiet campo huddled in the latest cashmere and for an older generation, tiny ladies swamped in fur. Cafes steam and sparkle, while heavenly music emanates from churches and scuola.
For those who prefer this quiet Venice, softly romantic  with sunshine reflected from the snowy  Dolomites, winter is the perfect time to visit.
Venice sparkles with opera at La Fenice and numerous choirs singing in San Marco. Fabulous shops from designer clothes to famous Murano glass seem even more exquisite in winter lamplight.
 St Mark's Square softly lit along the collanades with Florian's and Quadrini's cafes inviting one in, just as they have done for the past three hundred years.
Last New Year Piccola Perla was the romantic hideaway for a couple who married on the Grand Canal.
Availability see calendar on www.ourveniceapartment.com
 
Venice Biennale 11/12/2009
 
Venice during the Art Biennale is a treasure trove. Not only are artists from all over the world represented at the Arsenale and Giardini, but over sixty pallazzi and churches are used as exhibition space. This can be the only opportunity to see inside some fabulous buildings.
2010 sees the Architectural Biennale from late summer to November.
 
 

Venice Piccola Perla: in the mellow light of autumn. .
 The Guardian recommended Piccola Perla in 'Been There'
  Please do book early if popular times or a special date are wanted.
The autumn is a perfect time to visit the Veneto on wine tours.An hour away is the 'Prosecco trail' and my friends Anne and Mario have a B&B for the'Valopoicello trail. I stayed there in the summer and attended the most glorious production of Tosca at the Verona Arena. Fun to do a two centre holiday. The Veneto is awash with fungi, chestnuts and wine, all celebrated with little festa.

 
 

Happy Easter from Piccola Perla
Wonderful white wisteria hangs in drapes at a restaurant on the Lido
This spring so many guests have taken the opportunity to enjoy the tranquility of Venice
In these times the city offers nourishment for both the mind and soul
I am sure everyone feels compassion for this beautiful country over the tragic earthquake in the south
2009 sees the Art Biennale at the Arsenale and Giardino
I have availability June 20 to 29 ,some of September and November.
For the first time Easyjet have offered a year advance booking into 2010
(these cheaper offers  are only available for a limited time)

My website has changed slightly and guests are welcome to respond to the blog  www.ourveniceapartment.com
Thankyou to everyone who has decided to return or recommend friend and family          Valerie

 
 

White wisteria creeps over mellow hued walls, revealing secret gardens behind.Spring is so subtle in Venice, often the scent of blossom suggests a sweet hiding place. Only one week in June free as visitors have taken advantage of  Itay's fabled spring and early summer to stay in Piccola Perla.September and October booking fast, and the Art Biennale finishes in November.

 

 
First Post! 01/24/2009
 

Piccola Perla, little pearl originated as a dream to own an apartment in Venice. Over the past four years it has been shared by many guests.
Bookings still arrive via an original article in The Guardian asking for a place to stay with kids.
I personally run the site and try to accommodate guest's dates and celebrations. Last New Year hosted a wedding, and of course it is ideal for intimate honeymoons.

The enclosed courtyard makes it very secure for little children, and older ones join the locals playing in Campo Bandieri e Moro as bells ring from the church where Vivaldi was baptized.
Venice is the perfect city for Art and culture. Venetians themselves flock to the Fenice theatre. Nearby the Arsenale hosts two contemporary theatres and shares its venue with the Giardini for the Art and Architecture Biennale.
Older guests appreciate the quiet, and the apartment has easy access to the vaporetti at Arsenale and San Zaccaria by St Marks Square.

San Antonin is a lovely area minutes from the Riva degli Schiavoni. Local cafes serve delicious homemade pastries, enjoyed by visitors locals and their dogs. Famous restaurants Al Cova and Corte Sconta are around the corner, yet small inexpensive places can be found.
The local Punto supermarket is very good. A treat is to visit the Rialto markets for amazing fish and vegetables.

Wandering and being lost is part of the charm of Venice and Piccola Perla is the little dream to return to.

"We had a lovely few days in the aptly named Piccola Perla!  It was just like staying with friends rather than a rented apartment, books, CDs, everything to hand made it a really relaxing and friendly break, and the location made us feel like Venetians for a few days! " Steve and Lorraine 2008