To be clear about this from the outset, my initial reaction to what I am proposing to do is, simply,
DON'T! 
However,
mrs. iapetus' mom is excited about the prospect, as is
mrs. iapetus now. So we will be visiting Venice for a week this summer (first week of July) with the
iapetus jrs. (8 years old). We're locked in now. I've always wanted to return to Venice, as I only saw it briefly in the rain during a day trip there nearly 20 years ago, but July isn't exactly my first choice in when to do that.
So I am hoping that some of my fellow FTers can help me make the best of this. I'm interested first and foremost in locating a nice neighborhood in which to stay. I'd like something that feels relatively local and away from the bulk of the tourists, if that's possible in July. Closer to sights is better, but I am principally concerned with avoiding crowds in the immediate vicinity of wherever we stay as much as possible. Thoughts?
PS - I was kinda surprised that there is no 'Where to Stay in Venice?' thread.