Your LivTours’ Venice Shore Excursion is an excellent way to see the city of bridges and islands. LivTours all inclusive tour means you do not have to plan anything, just sit back, relax and take in all the beauty. Your private tour starts directly outside your cruise ship where a private motor boat and your expert guide will be waiting for you with a personalized sign. Glide into Venice and see the city waking up; fishermen coming back from the sea, market sellers setting out their fresh produce and the postman delivering the mail.
Your private motorboat will leave you at Campo San Giacometto where your private walking tour of Venice will begin! Your private expert local guide will make sure you see all the beautiful highlights such as Rialto bridge, Marco Polo’s house and Campo Santa Maria Formosa, but they will also take you to the narrow streets and hidden gems that make Venice so special and romantic. Navigating the maze of canals, bridges and islands can be challenging, but your private local tour guide will lead the way while giving you the best insight, not only about the history of Venice, but also the daily life in this city built on water.
Once your walking tour reaches the heart of Venice, Saint Mark’s Square, take a moment to enjoy the spectacular view of the façade of Saint Mark’s Basilica, decorated in golden mosaic, dating back to the 9th century. Once you have taken your photos, your LivTours guide will lead you into the basilica with our priority access, you will skip the often long lines.
Saint Mark’s Basilica is connected to the stunning Doge’s Palace. Doge roughly translates into Duke and the basilica served as the private chapel to this self appointed aristocrat until the 19th century. As soon as you enter, you will understand why Venetians call it the Basilica d’Oro. Its importance and wealth are clear and after exploring the numerous treasures with your passionate LivTours guide, you will have gained a true understanding of its historical significance.
Now that you have explored the history of Venice and the religious influence in the city, It is time to move on to discovering its political and economic center, the Doge’s Palace. For over a thousand years this palace housed 120 Doges (Dukes), you will enjoy priority access and skip another (usually) long line with your private expert guide. The Doge, who was elected for life, was the reason behind Venice’s wealth and power, but the Duke also symbolized terror and darkness. Your private guide will tell you the most engaging stories and amaze you with facts, anecdotes and scary secrets. Imagine yourself walking through the huge halls that housed independent governments, luxurious apartments where the Doge lived his daily life, ornate rooms and jaw-dropping prisons. Learn about the unpolished and sometimes even cruel side of Venice. Before leaving the palace, you will have a chance to make a stop at the notorious bridge of Sighs and come to understand its Anglo-Saxon name.
No visit to Venice is complete without a gondola ride! Just a stone’s throw away, a private gondola is waiting for you. Your private guide will make sure that you are sitting comfortably before waving you off. You will enjoy a 30 minute ride with your fellow travelers. Imagine gliding through narrow peaceful canals and gazing at the impressive palaces.
When your gondola docks, your private motorboat will be waiting for you to whisk you back to your cruise ship in style!
