Legendary Venice: St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour

From August 6th, all Italy sites we visit will require clients and guides alike to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test completed within 48 hours prior to entry. They will also require a legal form of ID matching the vaccination or test results. This does not apply to children under 12. You can read more about it here.

Please also note that it is not possible to bring large backpacks on the tour.

Completely surrender to the art, history, and masterpieces on this incredible three-hour experience in and around the two most famed sites of St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco). Enter the incomparable St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace, encapsulating the grandeur of luxury gained and power lost within the boundaries of the Venetian lagoon.

From the moment of your arrival, a local expert will engross you in tales of power, war, greed, love, beauty, and art - setting the stage for each and pointing out stories hidden in the exterior of the Basilica. Navigate across the square, descending into the interior chambers of St. Mark's Basilica, bypassing the extensive lines to get in. You are VIP while in our care.

Opulence awaits; under your feet, over your head, and just at the tips of your fingers. 26,000 sq ft of gold mosaics gleam from the ceiling above. As you maneuver through, your local guide will share the angelic prophecy of St. Mark's and sinister actions taken. With special access, get to see pieces of the Basilica's most coveted treasures. See the famed bronzed quadriga (chariot of four horses) before stepping out onto the balcony of the church for one inspiring view across St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, and the Venetian lagoon lapping nearby.

Head to the Doge's Palace, walking right through the palace doors (skipping the line) into the political heart of an Empire. Explore the more common rooms filled with frescoes by Veronese and Tintoretto. (Not an art history buff? You will still be inspired by their importance and beauty!) Your guide will share all the stories of backstabbing and skullduggery that went on behind the scenes here. Head into the palace armory, the New Prisons, and walk onto the famed Bridge of Sighs. By the end of your time with us, Venice - with all its trials, tribulations, and luxury will seal your affections forever.