Venice Gondola Ride, St Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Tour

Enjoy an epic Venice tour that combines a classic gondola ride and skip-the-line, guided visits to two of the main Venice attractions – St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

The basic itinerary: 

• Doge's Palace & Basilica departure at 10:45 am
• From 1pm to 3pm approx 2 hours free time
• Gondola ride departure at 5:15pm (only in high season) & 3pm ( All year)
  
  

Join an English speaking guide who will take you on a walking tour. Take in the buildings in the square before stepping inside the Doge's Palace "Palazzo Ducale", a magnificent combination of Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance architecture, the centre of the Venetian Empire and the seat of the Venetian Government. The Doge’s Palace was once the residence of the Doge, the Chief Magistrate and leader of the Venetian Republic. Skip the line and explore the lavish chambers including the magnificent Golden Staircase, the world’s largest oil painting, ‘Paradise’, the prison from where the adventurer and womanizer Giacomo Casanova made a brilliant escape, and the renowned Bridge of Sighs!

Rush past the long queues and enjoy fast track entry to the greatest of Venice’s monuments, the St. Mark’s Basilica and save your greatest admiration for its most precious possession – the eye-popping Pala d'Oro, an exquisite altar screen made from hundreds of pieces of enamel stuck onto gold leaf and enriched precious gems.

Hear about the different roles played by the Doge and his counsellors and learn about the history of the Venetian legends as you make your way through the eerie, narrow passageways towards the prison cells.

Enjoy some leisurely time and explore on your own before your gondola ride.

Be transported back in time as your gondolier propels you along and feel part of an ancient Venetian tradition as you experience Venice the way the locals did for more than a thousand years.

Sit back and take in the views as you pass by the romantic façades. See the gondolier skillfully steer the gondola through the intricate waterways while you get involved in their friendly banter. As you glide along the Grand Canal, look up at the glorious palazzos above you.