Venice in a Day: St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace and Gondola Ride

Start your day early on the Rialto bridge before the crowds arrive. After meeting your local Venetian guide and snapping some of those all-important pictures, it's off to the Rialto Fish Market to learn about the rich culinary history of the city, get restaurant recommendations, and see how the chefs and mamas of Venice source their food.

Next, you’ll set off into the most authentic and atmospheric neighbourhoods in Venice for an intimate walking tour that will acquaint you with the city at street level. Along the way you’ll see the childhood home of Marco Polo, the Venetian merchant who brought Europe the first account of China; and discover how the “Church of Miracles” got its name – plus so much more!

It's time for some serious historical and artistic exploration. St. Mark’s Basilica is where to gape at the incredible art and mosaics inside while hearing the unbelievable story of how Venice gained (and in some cases plundered) its treasures. You’ll also head off the normal tourist track to the special access terrace for a look at the famous horse sculptures and tiling as well as jaw-dropping views of Venice.

Next, it’s on to the Doge’s Palace which was the center of Venice’s maritime empire for hundreds of years. As you wander the corridors of power your guide will fill you in on all the skullduggery that went on behind the scenes, from Casanova’s prison break to the Duke whose face was blacked out of every portrait and painting.

With our expert, English-speaking, local tour guides you’ll see a side of Venice that few visitors ever get to experience. We’re taking you under the skin of perhaps the world’s most unique city, revealing the rich culture and history that sits just below the surface, just waiting to be discovered.

Meeting point:
Morning tour: At the central fountain of Campo San Giacomo di Rialto. This location is served by several water taxis (Rialto stop). Walk just to the west of the Rialto Bridge.
Afternoon tour: The meeting point is just outside the entrance of the Correr Museum on the Piazza.

Important information - There may be restrictions
 Please note that the 8:30am tour includes entrance to St. Mark's Basilica, while the 8:45am tour will see the Basilica from the outside only.
 The gondola ride includes a maximum capacity of 5 people per gondola boat, regardless of age, including both children and infants.
 This tour will be exclusively guided in English.
On certain dates, most travellers staying outside Venice who wish to visit for the day must pay a €5 access fee directly to the Municipality of Venice. For further details (including exceptions) and to find out on which days this fee applies and how to register or make payment, please visit: https://cda.ve.it/en/. The fee is not required if you are only visiting the islands of Murano, Torcello and Burano.




Starting point: ADDRESS - location.Description, Venice (and vicinity), Italy - (Longitude: 0,000000, Latitude: 0,000000)
Ending point: Other - , ,  - (Longitude: 0,000000, Latitude: 0,000000)