This Venice Day Tour itinerary features our popular Best of Venice Walk & a shared Gondola Ride. When booking both these tours together you can take advantage of a special discounted price.

BEST OF VENICE WALKING TOUR WITH SKIP-THE-LINE TICKETS TO ST. MARK'S BASILICA AND PALA D'ORO 2 hours:

Start the first part of the Venice day tours package which will focus on St. Mark’s Basilica, followed by a walk through areas of the enchanting Hidden Venice. We'll discuss the famous landmarks of St. Mark's Square, you'll enjoy an in-depth tour of St. Mark's Basilica, to admire the astonishing interior covered in rich and lavish mosaics, the precious Pala D'Oro and you'll learn about the strong Byzantine influences on the city that helped Venice realize its own unique style of architecture.

Then, experience a very different Venice - off-the-beaten-track! Far from the crowds to see Venice at its best, crossing delicate bridges, admiring meandering canals, stopping at lovely small squares, and being entertained by the commentary of your expert guide as you relive the days of the Venetian Republic and the colourful characters that called this city home. Main highlights will include Castello district, Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Ponte Paradiso bridge & Calle Paradiso, Salizada San Lio and many more. Enjoy this voyage of enlightenment through the labyrinth of back alleys and sleepy canals of the Hidden Venice to have a full introduction to Venice on one of our most popular city sightseeing tours. Limited to a maximum of 20 participants with complimentary headphones included.


SHARED GONDOLA RIDE - 30 MINUTES
An absolute must for first-time visitors to Venice, you'll travel in a traditional Venetian Gondola limited to a maximum of six people. During this gondola ride in Venice you will glide through the narrow back canals of St. Mark's district to enjoy an intimate experience of another Venice, where time has stood still for centuries.

The 30-minute ride in a traditional Venetian Gondola will follow Grand Canal and selected minor canals and will pass by the the ill-fated Ca' Dario Palace and the magnificent Salute Church built to celebrate the end of Venice's worst plague, to name a few of the points of interest featured as part of this Venice day tours package.

N.B. In case of unexpeceted closure of the St. Mark's Basilica, all tours including the Basilica will operate as scheduled – our guides will provide a detailed explanation of the Basilica’s history, architecture and its treasures from the outside and wherever possible will bring visual aids (either books or pictures or Ipad) to allow the customers to view the interior of the church.

Please note there will be a break between each tour portion based on each tour's individual operational schedule.

Both tours featured in this tour combo, the Venice Gondola Ride & Avventure Bellissime's Best of Venice Walk, start from the entrance to the Royal Gardens on the water front of St. Mark's Square.
Directions: from St. Mark's facing the Basilica turn right and walk towards the open water. At the two giant columns facing the water turn right, and following the line of trees after a 100 metres you will come to the entrance of the Royal Gardens where we will be waiting holding a sign with the name of the tour written on it

• Please note these tours can be taken over two different days. Just specify in the comments field at the time of booking on what dates you want to do each tour and we'll confirm availability accordingly based on the operational schedule of each tour.
• Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restoration works, St Mark's Basilica will remain temporarily closed for visitors until further notice. The guide will provide explanation from outside. We will notify you as soon as there are updates from the local authorities regarding admittance to the Basilica.
• At times St Mark’s Basilica is closed due to high water or religious ceremonies. During high water the tour will take place, but it might happen we have to partly adapt the tour to the weather conditions. On those occasions when St Mark’s Basilica is open with high water, skip the line tickets will not be accepted as all visitors have only 1 door open to get in the church.
• Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance to St Mark's Basilica are available only from April to October (St Mark’s Basilica does not offer a fast entry service to anyone in other periods, considered off peak season).
• Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter St Mark's Basilica. Large bags are not allowed inside the Basilica.
• This tour is of a historical area and is not fully accessible for wheelchair users or people with walking disabilities. However, please contact us directly and we will be able to take you on alternative routes suitable for you.
• Please wear comfortable shoes as this tour involves walking.
• The cost of the tour does not include gratuities or hotel pick up and drop off.