What makes this tour unique

Amazing itinerary will take you through the most important highlights of the City of Bridges, including the Piazza San Marco with its churches and monuments, the secrets of the Castello area, and the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal! A perfect introduction with a perfect guide, definitely not to be missed!

Price:	75 Euro per Person (all included)
Meeting Point:	At the feet of the Bell Tower in Piazza San Marco (GOOGLE MAP)
Drop Off Point:	Campo San Giovanni e Paolo, in front of the church.
Meeting Time:	9 am
Duration:	Half-day or full-day
Schedule:	Everyday
Skip the lines	Fast enrance to the Doges' Palace
Top-rated guide:	Professional, licensed, and experienced English-speaking guide

Itinerary Description

If you are in Venice for a day or a week there is no better way to see the highlights of this magical city than on a walking tour in the company or your own English-speaking guide. You will meander down Venice’s quaint streets and see some of the city’s hidden gems. This two hour tour includes all of the “must see” sights and an extended tour of St. Mark’s Basilica with skip-the-line access.

This is a super tour for you to get a real feel of Venice, its culture and its people. You will have plenty of time when the tour is finished to dine, re-visit any of the sights you have seen or just continue to wander around the fascinating city of Venice.

The tour includes:

Ponte di Rialto and Memorable Sights

Perhaps one of Venice’s most famous bridges it is a well-known the world over. It was an architectural feat when it was first built and very costly – now this marble wonder is a popular city landmark, loved by all Venetians and a great photo opportunity for tourists.

We also visit Marco Polo’s house one of the world’s most famous explorers who in his day told his fellow Venetians tales of the many distant lands he had visited. If you wish get to know the locals and see how see a little of their daily lives then take a little time to people-watch in one of the many campos (squares). All are surrounded by wonderful buildings which your guide will tell you about.

Piazza San Marco, Palazzo Ducale

Venice’s main square, Piazza San Marco or St. Mark’s Square is a magnet for all visitors to Venice. The magnificent marble basilica dominates the square which Napoleon once famously called “the finest drawing room in all Europe”. Surrounded by little cafes the square is always filled with musical refrains. Here is also the very imposing Palazzo Ducale or Doge’s Palace; built in the gothic style it was once the residence of Venice’s chief magistrate or Doge. Casanova was famously imprisoned here for his exploits!

Optional Doge’s Palace Walking Tour

At the end of the tour there is an opportunity to book an in-depth visit to the Doge’s Palace. Inside there are Tintoretto’s frescoed ceilings, Viennese paintings and the little wooden slot where accusations of treason would be passed to the Secret Police. You will also see the Bridge of Sighs which was named by Lord Byron and poetically refers to a criminal’s last view of Venice as he crossed the Rio di Palazzo on his way to prison.

Basilica di San Marco

This is a magnificent example of Byzantine architecture, east meeting west in this onion-domed edifice. Inside there are some wonderful treasures, many made here but many more plundered from abroad during the Crusades. Your guide will tell you how the remains of St. Mark were buried here illegally. Over the centuries St. Mark’s Basilica has known fire and flood so it is a wonder that the 11th Century mosaics that adorn the walls are still intact for you to see. Make sure you don’t miss them.

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