Have a walk outdoors through the most characteristic and important places for the history of Venice. A qualified and experienced guide will escort you through the millennium of life of the Serenissima Republic, recalling the charm filled past of this unique city.
Route: Piazza San Marco - Origins, history and description of the main monuments: Basilica San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, Bell Tower, Clock Tower and Procuratie. Santa Maria Formosa – History and anecdotes relating to this wonderful and characteristic square -Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo - The "Pantheon" of Venice, the Great School of Charity, the Captains of fortune. Marco Polo’s House and Malibran Theatre. Return to San Marco through the Mercerie, the vital connection between Rialto and San Marco and the city’s main shopping street.
At the end of the walking tour you will enjoy a promenade by gondola that will take you along the canals of Venice. Enjoy the cruise through the city’s most secluded waterways passing under small bridges and along part of the Grand Canal. During your pleasant ride you will admire Desdemona’s House and Mozart’s House passing by the worldwide famous La Fenice Theatre proceeding along the Rio (Canal) “De le Ostreghe” leading into the most charming part of the Grand Canal, where you will admire the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Once reached the Salute Church and Punta della Dogana you will enjoy a quick unique breathtaking view of S. Giorgio’s Island, Saint Mark’s with its Belltower and Doge’s Palace.
After the gondola ride you will visit one of the most majestic cathedrals of the world! On this tour, escorted by a qualified and experienced guide prepared in accordance with the Curia of Venice, enjoy a full visit of this masterpiece of byzantine art, unique in Italy, you'll have the pleasure of admiring beautiful gold mosaics and marble inlays in the floors, sitting comfortably while our guide will show you the represented biblical scenes, the history and the particularities of this ancient basilica. Admire the Pala d'Oro, exquisite example of the byzantine art with its thousands of gems and precious stones; enjoy the view of the Treasury, a splendor of the religious art collected along the centuries.
After the visit of the Basilica you will have the opportunity to visit a Glass Factory close to Saint Mark’s Square where you can see a Glass Craftsman at work. Please note this is a free of charge optional tour of approximately 20 minutes and it is not a part of the tour.