So I reluctantly left the great Fenice Flat with my gondola view. Lucky for me, the owner, Maurizio (an Airbnb Superhost), had a few other properties in Venice and could host me for one night in the Venice San Marco Apartment. Unlike the boutique designer inspired flat, I’m now in a standard apartment on the canal (different gondolas and experience here). I was still in the area of the Fenice flat – just five minutes away – but closer to Rialto bridge.

Francesca, Maurizio’s wife,  would meet me at the Fenice flat at check-out to walk me to the San Marco apartment. With another maze of zigs and zags (and photos taken as reference points along the way), we turned down an opening in the wall with a few more zigs and zags before arriving in the courtyard. I’m always amazed at what lies behind the walls. This time I’m on the 1^st floor (for Americans that means the 2^nd floor and one flight of stairs to haul my luggage). If arriving by vaporetto, you would exit at Rialto from the #1 or #2 line and it is then a ten minute walk with no bridges.

 

Airbnb Venice Italy – Canal View Apartments

This one is easy to find as there are signs to the Bovolo stairs, a much photographed Venice tourist attraction – the Gothic palace with cylindrical stairs. You will see a few groups in the courtyard during the day and the occassional photographer.

When Francesca opened the door to give me the quick tour, the apartment looked exactly like the photos except brighter. The ceilings have wood beams, the walls have Venice prints and the space felt inviting.

The Bedroom

A nicely sized separate bedroom looking out to the courtyard below. The closet armoire is stocked with hangers and a safe.  There are outside shutters on the windows and it was cool to open those in the morning as I’ve seen so many other Venice residents do over the years.

The Bathroom

The bathroom is down the hall from the bedroom next to the entryway. The small bathroom has one bath towel (again wish I had an extra but only one night) and a hand towel. There was a bottle of shower gel. The shower is a bit interesting as there is no delineation to separate it just a shower curtain and tile floor. A handheld shower unit is provided. The sink has three drawers – one with extra toilet paper (2 rolls), one with the hairdryer and one empty for your toiletries.

The Airbnb Venice Italy Canal View

Up one flight, I can still hear the gondolas singing below and look out to see them float by. There was a huge thunderstorm during my stay and the downpour made for interesting photos of the well prepared riders with umbrellas. At night a few boats go by but it’s pretty much a very quiet canal.  Opening the kitchen window to look out at the canal, you will see the clothes line if you need to Italian dry your wash.

 

The Kitchen and Living Room

The kitchen was fully stocked and a bottle of still water was provided in the refrigerator. If you wanted to shop at the market and prepare dinner, this was a good sized kitchen to do so.  The dining table separates the kitchen and living area.  With a television, nice sized couch, portable/strong wi-fi and the all important air conditioning/heating unit on the wall, you are set to enjoy your down time here.  An umbrella was provided which was a nice bonus especially given the rainy day I had.

Overall – Airbnb Venice Italy (San Marco Apartment)

The Venice San Marco apartment is a good size for one or two people visiting Venice. You can easily settle into a nice routine at this apartment as it is private, quiet and centrally located.  The location is nice with a short walk to Rialto Bridge area or San Marco or alternatively in the other direction to Accademia Bridge and the Dorsoduro area.   My airbnb rate for one night in May was $153, which negates any “Venice is too expensive” claims.

 

Want to try AirBnb for this Venice flat or another worldwide property?  Use my personal code for an Airbnb discount on your first booking.

Look at other Airbnb Venice properties by Maurizio & Francesca by going to his superhost page and seeing what new and exciting properties are in his portfolio now.