Tour by boat across the Lagoon to Murano island with Russian-speaking assistant. Visit of historical glass-factory with handmade glass items creation.
Murano’s reputation as a center for glassmaking was born when the Venetian Republic, fearing fire and the destruction of the city’s mostly wooden buildings, ordered glassmakers to move their foundries to Murano in 1291. Murano glass is still associated with Venetian glass.
Our walking tour is a journey spent between the best known sights of Venice along with some unassuming gems. We’ll visit Piazza San Marco. We’ll stand in front of the impressive Doge’s Palace where Venice’s famous lover and writer, Casanova was held in an attic prison before he managed to escape. Then the main event – the stunning Basilica San Marco.
Marvel at the diversity of Venetian culture as your guide points out the spots where eastern architecture and western design have blended to create a structure with an onion dome that could only have been created in Venice. In a rare extended tour of the basilica you’ll hear about how St.
Mark’s remains arrived here illegally and see all sorts of treasures, molded in this very city or plundered during the crusades. Possibility for extra payment: a trip on a gondola or excursion to Doge's Palace. Free time for walk or lunch.
Indulge in a night of pure Venetian splendour with a musical performance in a 15th century palace.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Multi-award winning musical ensemble
* Located in a palace on the banks of the Grand Canal
* Open bar of wine, long drinks and non-alcoholic beverages
Located in the heart of Venice on the banks of the Grand Canal, the Barbarigo Minotto Palace sets the scene for a magical evening in the city. This unique location, right in the centre of the action takes you back in time with an award-winning musical performance.
The multi-award winning musical ensemble brings together some of the most famous musical masterpieces that will make your evening and holiday in Venice an unforgettable experience. Your ticket also includes an open bar of wine, long drinks and non-alcoholic drinks. The surroundings, location and music create a magical atmosphere that will live long in your memory.
Immerse yourself in the architectural beauty of Pisa with a day trip from Venice.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Travel by high-speed train
* Includes entrances to 3 monuments of Miracle Square in Pisa: Baptistery, Sinopie Museums and Camposanto
* Sightsee at your leisure
Taking the high-speed train from Venice to Florence, board the regional fast train where in one hour you will arrive in Pisa. You have all day to discover the delights of this Tuscan city and with a daily ticket for the hop on – hop off bus tour (not included) you can sightsee at your leisure.
Famous for the Leaning Tower, Pisa has many other monuments and landmarks for you to see. Enjoy the emblematic Piazza dei Miracoli as well the Baptistery and take time stroll amongst its historic streets and piazzas. The hop on – hop off bus tour lets you travel from sight to sight in comfort and allows you make the most out of your time in Pisa.
See St. Mark’s like almost no one else… almost alone! Explore the most famous sight in Venice and one of the most magnificent churches in the world without the lines or crowds. A Basilica guard unlocks the doors just for Walks of Italy and its small groups of maximum 15 participants. It’s the ultimate in VIP treatment, and the most exclusive way to visit St. Mark’s Basilica - it will be an experience you will never forget! Your guide meets you at St. Mark’s Square. Through thrilling anecdotes and swashbuckling stories, learn about the history of Venice and St. Mark’s Basilica—like how it received its precious relics via a 9th-century kidnapping!
But then comes the real treat. All of the passersby will wonder where you’re going as a custodian unlocks the basilica’s doors for you and Walks of Italy’s small groups of maximum 15 clients… And walks you right in. Inside, take a deep breath. You’re experiencing St. Mark’s Basilica as almost nobody else does, or ever has ever been able to (aside from the Doge himself)—empty! No standing elbow-to-elbow with other tourists, no seeing the church as if through a strobe light from hundreds of popping flashbulbs, no noise from the crowds. Instead, you’re alone with your guide and the custodian. So you can experience the basilica as it should be experienced: in tranquility and peace.
Of course, you’ll also be able to skip all the lines—not only into the basilica, but also to see the Pala d’Oro, the spectacular, Byzantine altarpiece that uses more than 1,900 gems! During the day, there’s a line to see this, but now? You have it almost all to yourself. Since you’re alone in the basilica with Walks of Italy groups only, you can even go where others, visiting during the day, can’t. Like the crypt, which the custodian unlocks for you: This is where the bones of St. Mark are said to actually be kept. Plus, you can see the stained walls here from the past floods that have devastated Venice—the crypt used to be flooded every time the high tide hit the city!
Aside from the emptiness of the basilica, nighttime is the best time to visit because that’s when the mosaics are at their most beautiful. All 43,000 square feet are lit up, glimmering and sparkling in the dark! If just seeing the basilica this way weren’t entrancing enough, there’s also your guide, an expert who’s passionate about Venetian art and history—and about sharing it with you in the most fun way possible. You’ll hear the tale of how St. Mark’s became St. Mark’s, a story that pivots on a kidnapping and and a dangerous sea voyage! You’ll learn where the precious marbles decorating St. Mark’s really come from…
A one-hour tour that will give you memories which will last a lifetime!
On this guided tour you’ll have the opportunity to explore the massive armory, and the spooky prisons. Finish with a visit inside the Bridge of Sighs, where your guide will tell you why it’s not quite as romantic as you thought. After a short break you will continue to St. Mark's Basilica (already closed to the public for the day) where a custodian unlocks the Basilica’s doors for you, walking you inside Venice’s most important site - EMPTY!
Inside, take a deep breath. You’re experiencing St. Mark’s Basilica as almost nobody else does, or ever has ever been able to aside from the Doge himself. You’ll experience the basilica as it should be experienced: in tranquility and peace. You will also get to see the Pala d’Oro, the spectacular, Byzantine altarpiece that uses more than 1,900 gems! During the day, there’s a line to see this, but now? You have it all to yourself. Since you’re alone in the basilica, you can even go where others visiting during the day, can’t. Like the crypt, which the custodian unlocks for you: This is where the bones of St. Mark are said to actually be kept. Plus, you can see the stained walls here from the past floods that have devastated Venice—the crypt used to be flooded every time the high tide hit the city! Aside from the emptiness of the basilica, nighttime is the best time to visit because that’s when the mosaics are at their most beautiful. All 43,000 square feet are lit up, glimmering and sparkling in the dark! If just seeing the basilica this way weren’t entrancing enough, there’s also your guide, an expert who’s passionate about Venetian art and history—and about sharing it with you in the most fun way possible. You’ll hear the swashbuckling tale of how St. Mark’s became St. Mark’s… a story that pivots on a kidnapping and and a dangerous sea voyage! You’ll learn where the precious marbles decorating St. Mark’s really come from… It’s just a few hours, see two top sites and get memories that will last a lifetime!
See Venice's two most famous landmarks in the best possible way. Get privileged access and explore the Doge's Palace, the armory, and the prisons in the late afternoon when it is the least crowded. After a short break, continue to St. Mark's Basilica where a basilica guard will unlock the doors for Walks of Italy small groups (maximum 15 participants). Experience one of the world’s most magnificent churches and see it like almost no one else... alone! Enjoy the illuminated mosaics at night—without the lines or crowds, a magical moment that you will never forget! You can’t go to Venice without visiting St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge's Palace, the city’s two top sites. So why not make the experience as enjoyable, educational, and easy as possible? Give us a few hours of your time, and we promise you’ll feel like you didn’t just “do” these sites—you experienced them in the most rewarding, fascinating way possible. You will not only enjoy privileged access to the Doge’s Palace, minimizing your time in line, but you will get private access to St.Mark's Basilica after hours.
Start with a guided tour of the Doge's Palace. What the Vatican is to Rome, the Doge's Palace is to Venice: for seven hundred years, the remarkable palace has been the home of not only the Doge, but of Venice’s (independent!) government, courts, and even prisons. Visit the centre of Venice’s power and history at Palazzo Ducale, including the sumptuous Doge’s apartments and the Hall of the Great Council, with its stunning frescoes by Veronese and Tintoretto. Discover the secret stories behind the artworks, like why one doge in the painted series is covered by a black veil. Learn the history of Venice’s famed Dukes - how they were chosen, what they did and why you may not have wanted the position for yourself.
Any local will tell you that Venice needs to be seen from the water, but if you’re planning on floating down the Grand Canal, gondolas simply aren’t powerful enough. That’s why onboard to tell you the history and stories that bring the city to life around you.
We’ll cruise past all of Venice’s most jaw-dropping basilicas, palaces and bridges; including St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, the Cemetery of San Michele, the Rialto Bridge, the Rialto Fish Market, the Accademia Bridge, the Cà d’Oro and Cà Pesaro palaces, the Madonna dell’Orto Church, and the Salute Church. As we pass each one your guide will share the stories that have shaped the unique maritime history of this amazing city.
Next we’ll turn off the beaten path to stop at one of Venice’s rarely-visited gems, the island and Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore, where postcard pictures of Venice are taken across the water towards St. Mark’s Square. After seeing the inside of the stunning Basilica you will have the option to climb the bell tower (or take the elevator) with an all-inclusive ticket. From the top of the tower you can admire the dome of St. Mark’s Basilica and soak in an incredible vista of the city stretching away from you.
This tour is all about seeing Venice the way the locals do: From water-level, and in stylish luxury. With a small group of 9 people or fewer and headsets to hear your guide no matter where you are on the boat, taking in the world’s most unique city has never been easier or more relaxing.
If you want to submerge yourself in the incredible history of Venice’s once-great maritime empire, our Legendary Venice tour is the perfect excursion for you. We take you on a skip-the-line, special access tours of two of the floating city’s most important buildings: St. Mark’s Cathedral, and the Doge’s Palace. As you explore these jaw-droppings spaces, your expert local guide will bring them to life with the histories and stories of how they were built and the human dramas that played out inside. History buffs and casual visitor alike will love the way this tour brings the stones of Venice to life.
We start in the world-famous St. Mark’s Square, taking a moment to appreciate the space before diving into St. Mark’s Cathedral - with access to the group entrance you’ll avoid long general access lines. Here you will get a deep look at the way that Venice built a mercantile empire that once spanned the entire Mediterranean. As you gape at the mosaics and other treasures inside, your expert Venetian guide will explain how the city begged, borrowed, and yes, stole, almost all of them as it grew from a tiny island to one of the biggest powers in the Medieval world. You’ll also get special access to the first floor terrace where you can see the famous horses stolen from Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade as well as amazing views over St Mark’s Square and the city.
Next it’s off to the Doge’s Palace, where pre-reserved tickets once again get us past the lines and inside what was the political heart of the empire for hundreds of years. Here you’ll visit the Doge’s own opulent apartments and the Hall of the Great Council where matters of state were decided under beautiful frescoes by Veronese and Tintoretto, You’ll also see the armory and the New Prisons, where you’ll learn about the grim lives of anyone unlucky enough to be taken prisoner. You’ll also find out the secret behind the mysterious black veil that interrupts the official series of Doge’s portraits. Hint: it will make you not want to work in Venetian government.
Finally, you’ll wander over the Bridge of Sighs and learn why this romantic icon is a little more grim than you have probably been taught.
Venice is a beautiful city but it doesn’t really come to life until you have an expert, local Venetian guide to show you around and tell you the stories that take you deep into the history and lore of the city. In a small group of no more than 15 people you will have intimate access to your guide and be able to ask them all the questions you want about improbable history of one of the world’s most unique cities.
Discover the Doge’s Palace in the most complete and rewarding way possible: with an expert guide, entertaining anecdotes, and by exploring what 99% of visitors to the Doge’s Palace never get to see.
We’re talking, of course, about the secret passages, the palace’s hidden labyrinth of secret meeting halls, offices, torture chambers and top-security prison cells! By exploring the secret passages, you get away from the crowds elsewhere in the Doge’s Palace and walk in the footsteps of Venice’s most colorful characters. Our favorite? Casanova, the legendary brigand (yes, he did exist!). As you’ll learn, he deserves all of the lore: Against all odds, he was able to escape his cell here in the palace, a cell you’ll get to see exclusively in the secret passages.
As well as hearing Venice’s juiciest stories, a visit to the secret passages means getting to walk through the hidden cells and rooms—parts of the palace that not only most visitors don’t see, but that the vast majority of Venetians in the past never knew about, either! Exploring the secret rooms, with their antique cabinets and creaky floors, will truly make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.
You will also discover the rest of the Doge’s Palace with your expert guide, from the Doge’s own lavish apartments to the Hall of the Great Council, where the city’s all-important general assembly made decisions. Admire the beautiful and dramatic paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto and explore the magnificent halls that demonstrate the prestige of the Most Serene Venetian Republic. What the Vatican is to Rome, the Doge's Palace is to Venice: For seven hundred years, the remarkable palace has been the home of not only the Doge, but of Venice’s (independent!) government, courts, and even prisons.
At the end of your Doge's Palace Tour, get a comprehensive tour of St. Mark's Basilica. With access to the group entrance you'll avoid long general access lines. Here you will get a deep look at the way that Venice built a mercantile empire that once spanned the entire Mediterranean. As you gape at the mosaics and other treasures inside, your expert Venetian guide will explain how the city begged, borrowed, and yes, stole, almost all of them as it grew from a tiny island to one of the biggest powers in the Medieval world.
Your day starts early in Venice, from where you’ll be spirited away to Verona in an air-conditioned mini bus, straight to a photo stop at Colle di San Pietro. Enjoy the panoramic views of Verona from above and learn to understand why it was the perfect setting for the world’s greatest romance. Starting our tour from the foot of a castle overlooking the town, you’ll take it all in at once. The towering spires, the castle walls, the river that hugs its curves: Verona is as romantic as it gets.
After some stunning photos from the viewpoint (sure to be the envy of your friends) you’ll take a lovely walk down into the city. Along the way you’ll stop off for a skip the line visit to the ancient Roman amphitheatre, a 1st century marvel that is one of the greatest amphitheatres in Italy and also among the top opera venues in the world. You’ll also see the Verona Duomo from the outside, and pop into the beautiful Basilica of Saint Anastasia.
Then it’s on to Verona’s top attraction: The home of Shakespeare’s Juliet, where, from the outside, you gaze up at the famed balcony where Romeo is said to have done his wooing. There is also a statue of Juliet herself whose breast you can rub for good luck - just make sure Romeo’s not around.
With that box ticked, we’ll take you into the historic center to uncover the real story of the city that served as the colorful backdrop for Shakespeare’s classic. You’ll visit the gorgeous plazas, Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe to see the Palazzo Maffei, the Palazzo Barbieri (Town Hall) and the famous Mazzanti Houses whose facades are decorated with beautiful 16th-century frescoes. You’ll also stop by the Piazza Dante to pay your respects at the statue of Italy’s most famous writer.
Lunch is not included, so you can choose where you want to eat or ask your guide for recommendations. Local specialties include risotto, polenta and even donkey meat!
The afternoon will included a walk along the river past the Casa di Romeo - yes, that Romeo - and two very famous arches, the ancient Roman gates of Porta Borsari and the Arco della Costa, where you’ll learn about one of most bizarre local legends ever (it involves a pure-hearted person and a dangling whale bone).
You’ll also get a chance to pay your respects at the Scaligeri family tombs - incredible examples of gothic architecture that hold the remains of one of Verona’s most important families - gape up at Lamberti tower, and saunter over the iconic Castelvecchio bridge, all before your guide puts you back on the train to Venice.
Our small group tours offer unparalleled access to your expert, English-speaking guide. In their capable company you won’t just see Verona, you’ll walk through the heart of its history and culture to get a deep, personal understanding of what makes it such a special place.
A new Sightseeing tour with daily departure from Venice by roundtrip high speed train. Art, Culture and Leisure in Rome suitable for all! Regular departure from Venice Santa Lucia Station and return in late evening in Venice.
Once arrived in Rome take the metro to reach Termini station (ticket not included) where you will find the stop of the hop on hop off Bus. Go on board of Sightseeing bus Hop on Hop off and visit the city! Reach the Vatican around 12:30 to start a tour inside the fabulous Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with an audio-guide that will lead you inside the Museum and will explain the most important works of art.
At the end of the visit it is time to come back to Venice: your train will depart at 18:55 from Tiburtina train station.
We’ll start by visiting the twin hearts of Venice’s food scene; the Rialto Fruit and Vegetable Market and the Rialto Fish Market. As you peruse the overflowing aisles, your guide will explain how ancient trade routes and a strong maritime history have shaped the diets of Venetians; and how they still get the freshest fish from the Mediterranean.
All this talk of food will make you hungry so we’ll be sure to sample sumptuous local wine and cicchetti along the way. On this side of the Grand Canal, you’ll stop at two of Venice’s most popular local bars. The cicchetti is Venice’s answer to the Spanish tapas and includes local delicacies like crostini (bread with delicious toppings like whipped cod) and Venetian panini (technically sandwiches, but so much more). At each bar your guide will help you to choose two of the best cicchetti and of course a glass of wine, Prosecco or spritz to wash it down.
Next you’ll board a gondola to cross the Grand Canal to Cannaregio. Once known as the Jewish Ghetto and surrounded by walls to keep residents in, Cannaregio is a favorite among locals today for its great food scene, beautiful streets and piazzas and its much more relaxed vibe away from the tourist route.
Your adventure here continues to another local bar for a different kind of cicchetti. Fritti is a common dish of fried fish or vegetables made popular in this very area. In fact, we bet you’ll be shocked to learn just how much of Venetian food (and Italian food as a whole) has been influenced by the Jewish community. We’ll take our fritti as the locals do – on a stick, to go – and embark on a short stroll across bridges and piazzas of Cannaregio.
Your tour culminates in a stop at our favorite Venetian restaurant; a friendly and atmospheric neighborhood trattoria called La Colonna. Here you’ll be warmly greeted by the host and served a plate of the day’s pasta special, washed down of course, with another glass of wine.
With intimate groups of 12 people or fewer we don’t just want you to eat well for a day, we want to show you how to eat like a Venetian for your entire stay. Your expert, local guide will give you the best recommendations for when, where and how to eat so you’ll never again endure another over-priced, touristy meal in Venice.
The Palazzo Ducale represented for centuries the seat of the Venetian political power. In his splendid rooms, plastered and immersed in hundreds of masterpieces of painting, the Duke and his Council controlled the fate of a thousand-year history republic.
You’ll live it together with a Guide that will show you the halls of power, plunging you in a very particular historical context: the European Middle Ages and the immediately following centuries. You’ll be surprised of the rich details of the gold staircase, of the realism of the scenes depicted by many artists who have decorated this building, you will relive the anguish of the prisoners crossing the famous Bridge of Sighs, and entering the Venetian prisons, famous for hosting Giacomo Casanova. An unforgettable tour not to be missed!
We proceed with a romantic and relaxing afternoon. Outdoors visit with the Tourist Guide of the area between Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge, passing by some special places: Teatro la Fenice, Scala del Bovolo, Rialto Bridge. At the end embarking on a gondola (up to 6 people per gondola) for a fascinating 35 minutes ride on the Grand Canal (S. Maria della Salute area) and minor canals (Fenice area) - The tour ends with the landing at the station Bauer.
With this excursion you can see Venice from a different perspective, and take part of its magical atmosphere. Gondolas accompanied with local musicians float along the fascinating Gran Canal… the glittering images of the sumptuousness palaces in the water will remain forever in your memories.
After this Tour you will enjoy a three course dinner at the Restaurant Al Giglio.
The tour will start from the heart of Venice, proceeding on foot heading south to Castello, still now a days one of the more Venetian part of the town with a lot of historical and charming corners.
San Zaccaria’s square, a magnificient white marble lombardesco style church, San Giorgio of Greeks, San Giorgio of Sciavoni and the Venice’s Arsenale, with his twin towers. From here, Rio delle Galeazze, you’ll board on a private motor launch to discover the hidden Venice from the water, the second prospective of the town. Along the small inner canals, you’ll arrive to Fondamente Nuove, for a quick look the the northern side of the Lagoon, the islands of San Michele, and Murano and Burano on the landscape.
Again through the little canals we will be back in the middle of the town, on the most beautiful street in the world: the Gran Canal. Here there will be a short stop at Rialto’s Market, a kind of European souk, than on boat again to reach St.Mark the end of our journey.