Highlights / General details
This tour is composed of two parts: first, a walking tour which will make us discover Venice's most famous sites as well as its hidden gems.
An unforgettable way to discover Venice through its narrow alleys called “calli”, countless bridges and wide traditional and picturesque squares, still the heart of Venetian people's social life. Let our professional guide take you into an unforgettable journey among Venice's beauties and history. The first highlight of the walking tour is St. Mark’s square, with the description of the majestic St. Mark’s Basilica, the elegant Doge’s Palace, the Clock Tower and the Procuratie.
From St. Mark’s square we will move forward to Campo Santa Maria Formosa, where we will admire the SS. Giovanni e Paolo church with the famous Pantheon. Follow the Scuola Grande di San Marco also knowns as “Great School of Charity” (the Captains of Fortune). Last but not least, head back to St. Mark’s and admire the Malibran Theatre, step through the famous Mercerie, once the pulsing heart of commercial life back in time, nowadays Venice’s main shopping district between Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square.
The first part of the tour will end at around 10:45am, the second part (Basilica) will start at 12:00pm and participants are kindly requested to get back to the meeting point by 11:45am.
During the second part we will admire one among the most beautiful and celebrated cathedrals in the world: St. Mark's Basilica. A tour which will make us marvel in front of the majesty and true beauty of the St. Mark Basilica, the place where Eastern and Western architecture run into each other. Here, we will learn more about the everlasting history of Venice, about St. Mark and how his ruins came to rest and be shielded here. A tour not only to see Venice, but to experience this city through its history and glorious past, still shining in its historical sites and legendary characters.
Surrounded by the Basilica’s beautiful golden mosaics and marble inlays, our professional guide will take us along the history and the special features of this unique masterpiece of byzantine art. Among the priceless treasures shielded in the Basilica, we will have the chance to admire the Pala d’Oro, a fine example of Byzantine art with its thousands of gems and precious stones, and the Treasury, a splendor of the religious art. And, of course, the golden mosaics, maybe the most famous feature of the cathedral.

Inclusion
Guided tour and Ticket for the Golden Basilica entrance allows you to entry without waiting in line; Audio-receiver device included.

Exclusion
Hotel pick-up and drop-off; Gratuity.

Hours of operation
Available Monday through Saturday departing at 9:00am; Guests must check-in at least 15 minutes prior to tour departure time; No tour departures on November 21, December 25 and January 1.

Duration
Approximately 4 hours.

Location
Tour departs under the Clock Tower (the one with the blue clock) in St Mark's Square.

Additional Information
Proper clothing must be worn to visit the Cathedral. No shorts or tank tops are allowed (no bare knees or shoulders); This tour does not include entrance to the Doge's Palace. It is a walking tour which will completely take place outside (only external comments of the various sites will be provided) with the exception of the Basilica which will be visited.

Participant restrictions
Children 2 and under go on the tour free.

Policies
Cancellation: 2 days prior 100% penalty. No show 100% penalty.
For security reasons, visitors will be requested to leave all bags (both backpacks and bags) at the free deposit located in Calle San Basso (near the Basilica). We kindly request all travelers interested in visiting the Basilica to carry as less bags as possible in order to avoid long lines at the deposit.
Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**