Piazza San Marco, Palazzo Ducale and Rialto District

Your guide will meet you at your ship at 9 AM. You will be taken in a vaporetto through the
main street of Venice. Of course, the street is a waterway known as the Grand Canal. You will then
reach the heart of the Venetian Lagoon. The walking tour will begin at the remarkable Piazza San
Marco. In this vast space with surrounding arcades, political activities and the center of Venice's
social life existed for almost a millennium.
Your lecturer-tour guide will show you the charming Basilica where the original church was
built in 828. Later, it became a symbol of the rich and powerful Venetians. Now, you will get to see
its precious mosaics and art treasures. The next stop will be at the majestic Palazzo Ducale, a
pink and white marble building. It has served many purposes over the years, including a fortress,
torture chamber, government center and a prison. At this point of your trip, we highly recommend
that you rent a gondola to take you on a magical trip gliding through the enchanting waterways. You
will travel under the famous Ponte di Rialto, built with space for shops, and the even more famous
Ponte dei Sospiri, the Bridge of Sighs. It was built in 1600 to connect the old prison with the
interrogation rooms. The enclosed passageway may have enabled prisoners to get one more glimpse of
this beloved city before being incarcerated.
At this time, you can decide what other areas to visit. The Campanile is the brick bell tower
which was the site where clerics, who were accused of immoral conduct, were caged and suspended for
all to see. In the early 1900s, the tower suddenly collapsed, but its reconstruction began
immediately. You can also make time for some people-watching at a fine cafe in the area. You might
want to continue your stroll through the campi and campielli to the Rialto area.
We'll have you back to your ship in the afternoon.

The tour is for a party of up to 15 people.
It includes a fluent, English speaking
official guide.


PLEASE NOTE:
Water bus, Boat transfers, gondola and site
tickets are not included in the price.
The service rate for this tour may vary
depending on several factors.


Please contact us for more information
and price estimates.