Private Venice Doge Palace Secrets And St. Mark's Basilica Tour

This private tour is a unique opportunity for you and your intimate group of friends or family to get in touch with the mysterious charm of one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in Italy, Venice. You will get to know its corners and alleys and its beautiful buildings and monuments. You will be in the company and under the expert guidance of a profound connoisseur of the city and its history, to be able to exhaust all your curiosities about this particular city, truly unique in Italy.

You will meet your guide in St. Mark’s Square, where you will immediately feel like you are traveling through time and space. Surrounded by the waters, you will be in front of the St. Mark’s Basilica in all its majesty, unique in its kind for the presence of mosaics and the oriental character: the city of Venice forged relations and commercial contacts with Byzantium (currently Istanbul) and from there came aesthetic and cultural influences.

Now enter the Palazzo Ducale, seat of the ancient government of Venice's Doge. Admire the sumptuousness of its Gothic architecture, and its artistic richness, as it is home to timeless masterpieces by artists such as Veronese, Tiepolo, Tintoretto and last but not least, Titian.

Continue to immerse yourself in the history and secrets that these ancient palaces have to tell: your guide will explain that even palaces with political and institutional significance such as the Doge's Palace kept inside them secret places of torture and imprisonment. With the ticket included in the tour, you will access the so-called "secret itineraries", which wind from the open spaces of the courtyards of the Palace through narrow tunnels and cold places of detention such as the Pozzi, the torture rooms, and the infamous Piombi, other spaces of imprisonment where Giacomo Casanova was held in prison for more than a year before his daring escape.

Let your guide lead you outside, and have your last questions and curiosities answered, before parting with plenty of time to explore the many other beauties that the city has to offer.

St. Mark's Basilica and Palazzo Ducale in Venice are imbued with elements of power, grandeur, spirituality, and conspiracy. These iconic structures boast a rich history that speaks of the city's past as a thriving maritime and cultural hub. Delving into its intricate architecture and stunning interiors, one can't help but marvel at the intricate mosaics, frescoes, and sculptures that adorn every nook and cranny of the buildings. Beyond its artistic and aesthetic value, the Basilica and Palazzo also serve as symbols of Venice's political and religious power, making them a must-see for anyone visiting the city.

Duration

Hours have passed, a total of 3.

About

Led by a charming private guide, explore the secrets and legends of Venice with our exclusive Palazzo Ducale Venice and St. Mark's Basilica tour. Traversing bridges and squares, delve into the rich and centuries-old history of this glittering city. Enjoy the rare privilege of a dedicated guide just for you, your family, or friends as you delve into the grand and enchanting Palazzo Ducale Venice. Access the hidden dungeons and secret passages for an unforgettable adventure that will unlock the mysteries of this stunning city. Take a stroll with your highly specialized guide to reach the awe-inspiring St Mark's Square, one of the most breathtaking piazzas in the world. The Correr Museum and the arcaded Procuratie building create a beautiful backdrop while the stunning St Mark's Basilica stands tall with its colorful polychrome domes. Discover the square's rich history, and learn about the remarkable artists behind its creation before making your way inside the church with exclusive skip-the-line tickets. Once there, you'll be astounded by the magnificent ceiling mosaics, the Apostles with Madonna mosaics, and the golden domes that glint from within. Experience this all without any stress or discomfort. Across the square, your guide will lead you to the impressive Palazzo Ducale Venice, also known as the Doge's Palace. This stunning building once served as both the government center and the Palace of Justice for the Venetian people. Step into the Palace and marvel at its Gothic design. The structure dates back to the 1300s and has undergone numerous renovations, culminating in its current form in 1424 when the final wing was added. Inside, you'll discover a trove of internationally recognized artwork by renowned creatives like Veronese, Titian, Tintoretto, and Tiepolo. Hear of the palatial ensorcelling legends, anecdotes, and mysteries as your private guide leads you through the luxurious courtyard. Behold the grandeur of the lavish salons and ballrooms, including the Great Council's hall all while experiencing a privileged access to enigmatic secret passages that are off-limits to the masses. As you wander through the spooky halls, you'll stumble upon enigmatic holding cells and sinister ancient punishment rooms. Among them lies the very dungeon where Casanova was once confined. While exploring, take a moment to appreciate the "Opera Museum" and its compilation of art from the Renaissance, Mannerism, and the "Venetian school." This assortment boasts paintings by the likes of Tintoretto, Veronese, and Titian. Hear the sad history behind the iconic Bridge of Sighs as you finally reach and admire it, celebrated worldwide. Through centuries of history, our signature Private Tour guides you to the heart and soul of Venice. St Mark's Basilica is explored in-depth, and untrodden parts of the Doge's Palace provide exclusive access.

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• Walking tour guided privately
• Guide in English that is private
• San Mark's Basilica entrance without queuing
• The Doge's Palace Secret Passages offer access unlike any other

Please send all cancellation or rescheduling requests to tours@townsofitaly.com before the mentioned deadlines. Cancelled or rescheduled within a span of 8 days, bookings for 1 to 8 pax can be made starting from the first day of the tour. Just a heads up, if you happen to book for a gang of 9 or more folks, it's important to keep in mind that you won't get back 30% of the total payment in case of cancellation. But don't worry, you do have the choice to cancel your reservation and receive 70% of the amount paid or simply reschedule your tour. Just make sure you do it at least 15 days prior to the start date. There will be a cancellation fee of 100% for any rescheduling or cancellations after the mentioned deadline. Possible subject to availability, rescheduling.

We cannot wait to welcome you to the land of authentic products and unforgettable experiences.

Clients are kindly encouraged to arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled departure time.

We kindly request that you factor this into your travel plans. Regrettably, we are unable to accommodate any delays, no matter how brief, and we regret to inform you that failing to attend the experience will not qualify for a refund, including partial refunds.

Children and teenagers under 18 years of age should always be accompanied by at least one adult. In the event that this requirement is not met, we retain the right to exclude the underage participant, and unfortunately, no refund will be provided.

Please note that pets are not allowed on this tour.

Wear comfortable walking shoes.

We regret to inform that this tour is not suitable for guests with wheelchairs or with impaired mobility.

Please specify if there are any food restriction we should be aware of.

Please note that Italy's law doesn't permit selling alcoholic beverage to teens under 18 y.o. so clients under this age will be served non-alcoholic beverages.