Switch to holiday-happy mode at this prestigious abode set above a hive of activity on the banks of the Grand Canal!

Sleeping up to 4+2 guests within the Palazzo Fornoni on the ‘Riva del Vin*’ (Embankment of Wine), and sharing spectacular views of the Rialto Bridge and the gondola-bobbing waters with the string of lantern-lit restaurants to the fore, this spacious and gracious 2 bedroomed apartment provides a haven for fine living on the palazzo’s 1st floor

Marrying classic Venetian taste with contemporary comforts and boasting air-conditioning throughout**, a lift opening directly into the apartment and a remarkably characterful San Polo locale*** - not only overlooking one of the most famous waterways in the world but also concealing the tangle of narrow atmospheric alleyways making up the Rialto ‘bacari’ and food market scene - the freshly refurbed property offers Wi-Fi and a washer/dryer and comprises:

• An entrance doorway on the ancient Calle del Paradiso opening into a shared hallway with stairs and lift rising up to the accommodation on the

1st Floor where doors open to reveal

• A radiant and ravishing principal sitting room - facing the Grand Canal, enjoying the morning and early afternoon sun and dotted with well-chosen pictures, wonderful period furniture and oriental rugs within a framework of speckled Venetian terrazzo flooring, beautifully decorated beams and a pair of French windows opening onto a pretty Juliet balcony (and those views!)

• An intimate and elegant dining room to the middle of the apartment, furnished in a similar style to the sitting room and with a dining table and chairs set beneath a dainty Murano glass chandelier and an ornate Rococo Baroque style gilt framed mirror to one side

And to the rear of the apartment -

• Ca’ Fornoni Grand Canal’s contemporary streamlined kitchen/breakfast room impressively equipped with everything you need, including an integrated wine cooler/cabinet – quite a rarity in Venezia!

While to either side of the principal sitting room and sharing the same captivating Grand Canal views from their tall windows with balustrades to the fore, we have -

• A second gorgeous sitting room - rich in colour, every bit as opulent as the first and showcasing gleaming terrazzo flooring complemented by a dazzling Murano chandelier and delicate wall sconces, plus a double sofa bed and leather club chair for downtime and relaxation

• An elegantly understated master bedroom with a welcoming vibe and home to a double bed, a sprinkling of polished period furniture plus its own stylish bathroom with twin wash basins, shower… and even a twinkling chandelier of its own!

And completing the accommodation to the centre and rear of the apartment respectively -

• A cosy and inviting twin bedroom – simple and refined in decor and ambience - with twin beds and wooden parquet flooring

• A second modern bathroom in pared down style with bathtub and shower over


* Where wine was unloaded in days of old

** Note that all main rooms are air-conditioned with the exception of the kitchen

*** A further point of interest – Ca’ Fornoni Grand Canal sits next door to the historic inn known as the Locanda Sturion whose sign can be seen clearly in Vittore Carpaccio’s ‘The Miracle of the Relic of the Cross at the Rialto Bridge’ painted in 1494 and now hanging in the Accademia Galleries


OUR COMMENT

A delightful Palazzo in a historic neighbourhood with soul!

Within moments of all the atmosphere, tradition and myriad culinary temptations on offer at the famous Rialto food markets and surrounding food shops and with all the vibrancy of the Grand Canal literally sitting at your feet!

A stone’s throw to a wonderful selection of popular restaurants including the newly opened Casa Cappellari, Ristorante San Silvestro, Al Paradiso and the wonderful ‘old-school’ favourite that is Alla Madonna, and to a plethora of traditional cicheti-serving ‘bacari’ including Dai Zemei, Cantina Do Mori and All’ Arco to name but a few (not forgetting the ‘vino sfuso’ shop on Calle Donzella for buying wine on tap!)

Moments to the iconic Rialto Bridge leading over to the districts of San Marco, Castello and Cannaregio, and only a short amble to the impressive palazzo-lined Campo San Polo, the Church of the Frari and to the luxurious 5-star Aman Hotel (of George and Amal Clooney wedding fame!) and its wisteria-hemmed canal-side garden (note its spa, restaurant and bar are open to non-resident guests)

Also convenient for the vaporetto (water bus) stops at San Silvestro and Rialto Mercato for easy travel about town, the ‘Traghetto’ at the Rialto Fish Market ferrying passengers by gondola across the Grand Canal to the Santa Sofia area of Cannaregio