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General information
| Destination |
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| Venice, Italy |
Program details
We begin your adventure at the Doge’s Palace, former home to the Duke of Venice and the city’s courts. You’ll see the best sights of the palace open to the public including masterpieces by Tintoretto and Veronese. Your expert, local English-speaking guide will teach you about the history and culture of Venice, from its surprising beginning as an unlivable marshland. Now one of the world’s greatest cities and most popular tourist destinations, you’ll have to truly stretch your imagination to think of it as once completely uninhabitable.You will then be escorted you to St. Mark’s Square (once named the “finest drawing room in all of Europe” by none other than Napoleon himself). Marvel before Renaissance architecture with unmistakably Byzantine influences amidst modern edifices, a stark juxtaposition of styles that showcase the eclectic approach to the city’s design and development. With our Skip-the-Line Access, you’ll be whisked past the lines of tourists waiting to enter St. Mark’s Basilica and go straight inside. Stand in awe below the famed onion dome, the perfect blending of eastern and western design then admire the beautiful frescoes housed within.
It is a wonderful way to wrap up the initial portion of your guided tour before setting off for approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes of free time to explore the area on your own. Visit local stores, peruse artisanal offerings, enjoy an authentic Venetian lunch – the choice is entirely yours. Or simply rest and relax and people watch as throngs of tourists and Venetian locals stream by.
For the second leg of this unrivaled tour, you’ll board a comfortable boat across the lagoon to the timeless islands of Murano and Burano. Your expert, local English-speaking guide will continue to entertain you with stories of the sites you’ll be passing and before you know it you’ll be disembarking on the shores of Murano, our first stop. Known for its rich history and unmatched glassblowing, you’ll learn that it was here Europe’s first mirrors were crafted. So valued, the original artists were threatened with execution if they were to leave the city of Venice – on the chance they may share their secrets with the rest of the world.
Your guide will tell you why they continue toiling at their craft before giving you time to explore the fascinating samples on display. An art in their own right, it is the perfect ending to the perfect day with an intimate group of just 25 people or fewer. We also offer convenient audio headsets throughout the entire day tour, so you can always hear your guide.
Don’t miss the interesting, informative and intimate experience of Venice and its two captivating islands, Murano and Burano. A tour like no other, with an unbeatable price. An experience that cannot be rivaled.
Schedule details
- 1st part of the tour
Meeting time 08:15am
Departure time 08:30am
-2nd part of the tour
Meeting time 1:30pm
Departure time 1:45pm
Duration of the full tour: 10 hours and 25 minutes.
• The Doge’s Palace and St. Mark's Basilica tour ends in front of the Doge’s Palace. The Murano and Burano tour ends in front of Hotel Gabrielli Sandwirth (near San Marco).
• There is a break, from 10:45am until 1:30pm. It is the responsibility of the client to make his/her way back to the meeting point at 1:30pm for the start of the Murano and Burano tour.
Inclusions
• Expert, English-speaking tour guide
• Small groups of 25 people or less
• Skip the line Access and entrance ticket to the Doge’s Palace
• Skip the Line Access to St. Mark’s Basilica
• Glassmaking demonstration at a factory in Murano with commentary in English
• Lacemaking demonstration at a shop in Burano with commentary in English
• Discount at the glassblowing and lace-making shop where the demonstrations are given (10%+ depending on the item)
• Round-trip transportation by boat
Exclusions
Please note that the terraces are not included in the guided tour, however can be visited on your own buying the ticket in cash on the spot.