During the holidays, we decided to get our group together. Not that there were a huge number of us, we were now down to just five: the others, between commitments and family, couldn't make it. But we didn't give up and decided to spend a day together in Venice , as we often did when we were at university, but also before, when we were students.
We chose a self-contained apartment, something that had enough space for everyone but was also cozy, warm, and welcoming. And that's how we found the apartment on Calle Pezzana : sleeping here was the kind of experience that lets you experience Venice from the inside .
We returned home in the evening to a quiet street, woke up to the rhythm of the city, and enjoyed karaoke and playing cards in a uniquely designed space that completely changed the pace of our trip. It felt like we had a warm and creative base in the heart of San Polo , just steps from the Rialto Bridge, but with the privacy of a real home. Here's my report.
Arriving in a quiet street
We arrived in the low light of late afternoon, when Venice begins to feel more intimate and footsteps echo on the cobblestone streets. The apartment door immediately seemed like a boundary: outside, the city with its myriad opportunities and entertainment, inside, our own time, yet to be written. I must say it wasn't the typical entrance to a tourist accommodation, where everything is functional and a bit impersonal.
We were thrilled to start the evening, but we let ourselves be swept away by the atmosphere of the apartment: we found it a cozy, safe haven, ideal for making people feel at ease, even when they arrive breathless with backpacks, bottles, bags, and the noisy excitement of the holidays.
The design: Authentic Venice, but with a contemporary twist
The first thing that really struck us were the exposed beams. They have that typically Venetian way of warming the space without being noticeable, as if reminding us that time has passed here for centuries, yet without weighing us down. And beneath that wooden ceiling, the rest is surprisingly modern: clean lines, essential choices, artistic details that make you want to look around and, of course, take a photo. Even in the bathroom, the white tiles tell the stories of all those who have passed through here, their names now mingling with ours, which will remain there forever.
The loft bedroom is beautiful, incredibly dramatic and, above all, ideal for a group of people. The home's colors are vibrant but not overwhelming, warm and creative, without the need to fill every corner to make it memorable.
The open space: the place where everything happens
There are vacation homes where you just sleep. And then there are those where you live. The open-plan space on Calle Pezzana , for us, was just that: the place to return to and make peace with tiredness, where you can put down your jackets, open a bottle, put on music, laugh too loudly, and then lower your voice when you remember you're in Venice.
The modern kitchen, light gray and tidy, became our little backstage area. Slightly noisy breakfasts where someone always gets hungry first, improvised snacks, and the kind of easy dinner that works better on vacation than any ambitious plan. The simple and practical table with folding chairs was our hub: papers, songs, phones charging, and plans for the next day.
Traveling in a group has its own magic, but it also requires balance. What we appreciated was that the apartment here doesn't force everyone to crowd together, yet it invites you to share: it doesn't take much to get together, and just a moment to take a break.
Even managing the bathroom was easier than we feared (and those traveling with five people know how important this phrase is). It's a bright space, with a shower stall and a practical layout, plus it has an unexpected detail: the tiles with writing and graphic designs that make it almost a bulletin board, a room with personality. At times, it's as if it reminds you that you're in a lived-in place, not on a film set.
Why Calle Pezzana
We were looking for a central base, but not too touristy in the noisy sense of the word: San Polo is perfect when you want to be close to iconic sights while still enjoying everyday views , the kind that make you feel like a guest, not a visitor. The proximity to the Rialto Bridge is one of those perks you especially appreciate in winter or on New Year's Eve: after dinner, the thought of returning home is as good as a toast.
The best part, at Christmas, was the feeling of being able to experience the city without chasing timetables: going out, losing yourself in the streets and squares, and then returning to a warm interior, where wood and light immediately make you feel at home.
We sang karaoke without taking ourselves too seriously, we played cards with the competitiveness that only comes from longtime friends, and we said one more time than necessary. And then, as happens at successful parties, at a certain point the house turned down the volume on its own: someone on the couch, someone setting up glasses, someone already in "we'll start again tomorrow" mode .
