Venice in a Day: the Main Highlights of the City

Description

The tour starts with a historical introduction of St. Marks’s Square, and its architectural delights, allowing you to discover the history of the majestic St. Mark’s Basilica, and the surrounding buildings.
Leaving the square, you will be guided into the residential Castello area, allowing you to discover this part of Venice in all of its elegance.
You can expect to see campo Santa Maria Formosa, one of the largest squares in Venice with its church, named after its visitation of the Holy Virgin: campo Santi Giovanni and Paolo where you will be able to admire the famous church, the resting place of several Doges; and the equestrian monument of Bartolomeo Colleoni, an Italian mercenary Captain. The former residence of Marco Polo, probably the most famous Venetian merchant, and the Malibran theatre are also part of the itinerary.

On your return to Saint Mark’s Square you will be accompanied inside the Doge’s Palace where you will visit the halls where the Duke (Doge) and his Council controlled the fate of the Serene Republic, be surrounded by hundreds of artistic masterpieces and discover the political history of Venice and its people. You will be able to admire the paintings realized by some of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance, amongst them, the world's largest oil painting by Tintoretto.
Passing through the famous Bridge of Sighs, you will reach the new prisons.

Finally you will visit the interior of St. Mark’s Basilica, once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice, and the only one of its kind in Italy, thanks to the sumptous golden mosaics and impressive marble inlay flooring.
Visit Saint Mark's Basilica first floor museum and see the famous horses and admire Saint Mark's Square from the Basilica's terrace.

The walking tour ends in Saint Mark's square at 1.00 pm
At this time you will have approx 2 hours free to stroll around the area or to have lunch (not included)

The last appointment of your package is the gondola ride at 3:00 pm or 5.15 pm!
Meet the assistant in front of the Saint Mark's post office (behind the Correr musuem)
Your shared 30 minutes round trip starts on the Grand Canal and then through the smaller canals.
It is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty, charm and colour of this unique city built on water.

Program
Walking tour: 9.00 am (1 h 30 min)
Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Basilica: 10:45am (2 hours)
Gondola Ride: 3.00 pm or 5.15 pm (30 min)

Program and cast