Your LivTours’ Private Venice Night Tour with Exclusive Entry Into St Mark’s Basilica starts when you meet your private guide in a small piazza near the famous Rialto bridge. You will get acquainted with this enticing floating city as you walk the maze of narrow streets, passing through hidden canal side piazzas in the company of your expert local guide. Soak up the stillness of the evening, enjoying a different side to the daytime hustle and bustle of this port city. As you continue your tour, you will see the gondolas silently glide by with their lanterns glowing, and stunning Venetian buildings start to come to life with golden lights reflecting in the black waterway. You are sure to be captivated by the city’s mystique as your guide uncovers another side of this unique city sharing with you its remarkable story. Hear how it grew from a sandy safe place out on the lagoon, into the captivating city it is today.
See firsthand how some of the city’s beloved highlights that take on a new vibe as evening approaches. Now, without the daytime crowds, you will have a chance to appreciate these treasures. The famous Rialto Bridge is more peaceful, take a moment to enjoy the atmosphere and views of the Grand Canal as evening approaches. Not to be missed is the magical Piazza San Marco with its enchanting night time atmosphere, encompassed by elegant Venetian architecture. Appreciate the beautifully lit buildings like the Bell Tower, Doge’s Palace, and most of all, St Mark’s Basilica with its stunning facade, adorned in decorative marble and golden mosaics. Marvel at its endless display of Venetian pride with its golden St Mark’s statue, and its winged golden lion while your private guide shares with you the history of St Mark’s Basilica.
Enter St Mark’s through a side gate opened exclusively for LivTours. Enter into the pitch black Basilica with only a handful of other people, and sit in its pews as the lights are turned on one by one illuminating its intricate golden blanket of mosaics section by section. In the company of your guide, visit the Basilica’s special areas, including getting up close to its breathtaking central golden altarpiece, the Pala d’Oro. You will see the ancient crypt, with only you, your private guide, and a few other people. As part of LivTour’s exclusive entrance, this is a truly spectacular way to experience Venice’s most important religious building in all its glory!
St. Mark’s Basilica was originally built in the 9th century to house the remains of St. Mark. Buried in Alexandria, Egypt until 828, you will hear the story of how he was brought to Venice and given a proper burial in the Basilica that was built specifically to house his remains.
After exploring the inside of St. Mark’s Basilica, your tour ends in the elegant St. Mark’s Piazza in the quiet of the evening. You will have experienced the captivating allure of Venice that only comes out at night! Your private guide will be happy to give you restaurant recommendations so you can finish your evening with a traditional Venetian dinner!
