Mail on Sunday 3rd February 2002

A merchant of the real Venice

Frank Barrett

...Why rent an apartment rather than stay in one of the city's many hotels? "An apartment is a completely different experience. Food shopping, for example, is a joy." The main attraction is the city itself. "Every time I go there, it hits me what a fantastic place Venice is. On the boat from the airport, just as it turns into the Grand Canal, I get that same feeling: wow!"