OUR STORY: after a corporate career since may 2002 we enjoy sharing the RealVenice with guests
Since 1975 the B&B S. Marco is the home where Marco, who owns and runs it, grew up, and still lives there today. In 2002 Marco parents retired and moved to Ravello on the Amalfi coast, at that time Marco had a career in marketing leader company in Milan. Instead to sell the family house, he at the age of 33 decided to make a big career and lifestyle change and left the metropolis and managerial rat race of Milano to return to the place of his childhood to start a new journey. In this way he marked the path of that “creative idleness” that was the beginning of a new social and cultural trend. In 2007, after years of “solitary” management, Alice arrive with the same journey and little but a dream. In 2011 Nina their daughter join the familiar team.
The B&B enjoyed an immediate success because it embodies the true “philosophy of homestay hospitality” a trend of the new century: guests warmly welcomed as friends, care is given to interpersonal relations and environment, combined with charm and professionalism, service and privacy. The main characteristic of B&B S.Marco is that is a real b&b (one of the very few left in Venice), with max 3 rooms and where its owner reside. The local press and someone still use the word “b&b” to identify all accommodations that are not classified as hotels, like the 7000 apartments called “Locazioni turistiche”, which are often self check-in, owned by foreign company with only profitability purposes, extracting from Venice as if it is a goldmine, leaving no benefit for the local community. Venice is a city that loose more than 1000 inhabitants every year (in 2019 = 53.000, in 1975 it was double) so that means in 2050 Venice would be void of real life and might become just an archeological site. Over the years Marco’s efforts have become a sign of possibility to live and resist the changes that have taken place in Venice. And his B&B a symbol of sustainable combination of tourists and residents and a oasis for many returning Venice lovers and all the guests that love traveling respecting and caring for local life. The b&b is listed in severals travel Guides and Magazines and with word of mouth there is no need to pay for advertising. The b&b has become a model of a continuously accomplished experience that is opposed to the exploitation of city life. Heritage city like Venice risk more and more to loose their souls and authenticity. So in the era of “Homo Turisticus” the b&b S.Marco resist to the all-inclusive impersonal and commercial tourism; while it favors the rediscovery of the true meanings of traveling: the value of human relation, authentic experiences, sharing knowledge, and the understanding and respect of local environment. A place for cultural exchange to discover places, cultures, people and one’s self. (by Julie Seder antropologist and wine consultant)
WHO: Marco with his good knowledge of Venice life, history and art, can give the best suggestions to enjoy a real Venice experience. He is also active citizen working to preserve the city and its life. His professional background allowed him make many jobs in Venice, as digital project manager, consultant and lecturer in tourism and marketing, and as local coordinator for the Art Biennale etc (Linkedin). He is also volunteer in the community to prevent Venice from Disneyfication: for I.e by founding the sustainable tourism committee in order to propose a well know project for tourism management, In 2014 this endeavor opened the debate on Overtourism and how to use practical and fair means to limit the growth of “bite&run” “free riders” “day trippers” kind of mass tourism, and show the way how to respect the carrying capacity of the city, regulating those flows which inevitably will destroy the city and its identity. (Flussiturismo) He partecipate in many other local based initiatives like directing committee for local festivity, secretary-treasurer of local cultural associations and anything can prevent the city from becaming a non sense theme park. Alice, who has same economic studies and managerial background, speak 5 languages, and she is the best “reservation manager”, “accountant”, “consierge”, caring mother, and back up when Marco is out. We hope Nina can continue to grow up well and spend her life in Venice ;-)
“TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY” : reserve a resident’s b&b to enjoy a real experience and SUPPORT the LOCAL LIFE
WITH REGARD TO B&B SAN MARCO: Numerous articles have been published spontaneously in various press, (tourism magazines, travel guides and general press outlets), You can download HERE an extract about us written by professional journalist that visited our place. And since almost 20 years b&b S.Marco is listed as one of the best accomodation in Venice in the main social travel websites click to see TripAdvisor (5 stars or top ranking)
