Your LivTours’ Semi-Private Venice Walking Tour with Saint Mark’s begins in Campo San Giacometto, a charming square, once the heart of Venetian financial and political activity. Your small group of curious travelers will meet in front of the church of San Giacomo di Rialto, the oldest church in Venice! Learn about the amazing history of this small church built in 421 AD and about the miracle of its survival over the centuries. Admire Venice’s past while also observing modern Venetian daily life as people shop for their daily groceries in the bustling Rialto marketplace.
Just around the corner, your group will come across Venice’s most spectacular bridge, Ponte Rialto. Built in the 1580s, your guide will teach you about this bridge’s amazing story and the brilliance of its architectural design. One of the most picturesque views of Venice’s Grand Canal and its boat traffic can be seen from the highest point on the Ponte Rialto. Snap a picture of this unusual morning commuter scene.
Onward through Venice’s characteristic labyrinth of small walkways, footbridges, and hidden corners, your guide will help you find your way as you turn corners and find yourself suddenly in quaint squares with churches and other noteworthy buildings. Listen to the incredible stories and delightful anecdotes about the influential families who both ruled over and contributed to the creation of this magical city.
Your group will continue to the heart of modern-day Venice, St. Mark’s Square. No guidebook nor picture can quite prepare you for the absolutely breathtaking architecture and imposing presence of St. Mark’s Basilica and the adjacent symbol of wealth and power, the Doge’s Palace. Even from the outside, these ornate, heavily adorned structures reveal the magnitude of Venice’s historical significance. Pre-arranged reservations allow your group to avoid waiting in long lines and go directly inside St. Mark’s Basilica. Once inside, you will be absolutely mesmerized by the golden glow of the mosaic tiles, detailed bronze statues, the painstakingly decorated domes, and colorful marble patterns across the floor. It’s here inside the Basilica that the diverse art styles spanning across both time and culture are especially evident.