We rented this little house in Venice for the same price as a mid-range hotel. It’s in the San Polo area, just around the corner from the Frari church; you can see the tower when you look out our door. Some say that the inside of the Frari is the most beautiful of all the churches in Venice.

We don’t need an alarm clock; at 8am sharp someone rings the bells at the Frari and, by the sound of it, at all of the 25 Catholic churches in Venice. It’s a peaceful sleep knowing that you won’t wake up with only half of the day ahead.

Try one of these delicious Italian recipes:

• Pasta Aglio e Olio
• Bagna Cauda
• Bolognese Sauce
• Italian Meatballs
• Italian Pasta Salad
• Italian Chopped Salad
• Pasta e Fagioli