Housed in an old, white palazzo on Venice’s Grand Canal, you can watch the water taxis and gondolas drift by from this traditional apartment. The building’s water door means you can rock straight up to the ancient entrance hall from a vaporetto, and head out to the sights of the city straight from the water. The Rialto Bridge is just a couple of minutes' boat ride down the canal. If you prefer to explore on two feet, a 13th-century church holding works by Titian is a two-minute stroll and the surrounding streets and filled with ancient piazzas, gelaterias and family-run trattoria.

Inside, the cracked wood-beams whisper of days gone by and have been given up a refreshing lick of white paint to lighten up the living and dining room. Marble flooring keeps things cool underfoot and the decor is decidedly minimalist and sleek. In the master bedroom, you’ve got a fabulous view of old Venice’s rooftop from a long window – a delight to wake up to every morning.

Home truths:
*This apartment is on the third floor but there is a lift in the building
*The building has direct access to the canal by private water door
*There is no parking with this apartment but Venice is a car-free city anyway