Private Shore Excursions from Venice
Venice Walking Tour (3 hours)
Our expert guide will escort you on a walking tour of this romantic city that begins in Piazza San Marco with the magnificent Basilica of San Marco. One of the most unique cities in the world, Venice offers priceless art, stunning architecture and an element of mystery with its canals and winding alleyways. Admire the church’s rich, detailed mosaics and the sculptures that adorn this enchanting structure. Next, learn about Venetian art and style with a tour of the gothic Doge’s Palace that dates to approximately 1309, and its trove of treasures. This visit concludes in the Rialto area where clients will stroll over the city’s oldest and best-known Rialto Bridge to end in the bustling Rialto Market for a glimpse of local life.
Venice Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt for Kids
Let us know that you are visiting Venice with kids and we’ll match you up with a child-friendly guide armed with a colorful kids map that will involve them in appreciating the treasures of Venice’s San Marco complex by searching for the highlights, accompanied by the narrative of your private guide.
Secret Itineraries of the Doge’s Palace (3 hours)
This in-depth tour focuses on the complex that once hosted the political and ceremonial center of Venice: the Basilica of San Marco and the Doge’s Palace. The visit of the Secret Itineraries will take you behind the scenes to visit the Grand Chancellery hall, the State Inquisitors room, the Torture chamber and the prison. See where the famous inmate Casanova made a dramatic and spectacular escape across the rooftop in 1756 and pass through the fascinating maze of cells where countless prisoners were held captive while awaiting their fate before the Venetian courts. Tour will also include an overview of Piazza San Marco and the Basilica (externally).
Grand Canal Cruise with Walking Tour (2 hours)
What better way to visit this mysterious and ancient city than by private boat with expert guide? Depart your hotel with an expert guide for a walking tour of the sestiere (local neighborhood) of authentic Venetian quarters with their Gothic and Renaissance architecture and proceed to stroll along hidden back streets. Lastly, enjoy an hourlong cruise along the Grand Canal by private speedboat to witness the splendor of the ancient Venetian palazzi lining the canal.
Venetian Mask Making (1 ½ hours)
Meet at the workshop of a famous Venetian mask maker where you will learn about the ancient craft of these classic accessories for the Carnevale celebration and see the spectacular examples on display. Then sit down with an expert artisan to design your own personalized mask using his materials including acrylic paints, glitter, silk ribbons and more. Take your completed mask home for a memorable souvenir of your Venice sojourn.
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Artistic Treasures of Venice (3 hours)
Discover exquisite Venetian art from important artists such as Bellini, Veronese, Tiepolo, Canaletto, and Guardi at the Accademia Gallery. The collection is a true history of European art with works ranging from the Byzantine era to the eighteenth century. Next, explore the artistic and creative personality of this beautiful city during a walk through the most noteworthy quarters, including a maze of hidden cobblestone streets and the area where locals once built their world-famous gondolas. Lastly, clients will proceed through the characteristic Zattere borough with its inviting promenade and home to a number of former palaces and churches. The last stop within this area is the church of Gesuati, famed for its beautiful frescoes and inlaid with magnificent marble.
Three Islands Tour (4 hours)
Depart in the comfort of a private boat with hostess to the famous Venetian islands, starting with Murano. The world’s top glassmakers have worked on the island since 1291, and clients will see masters of this craft at work, along with their most important historical pieces. The next stop is Burano, with its brightly painted houses which is world renowned for intricate lace making. Finally, proceed to Torcello to visit the island with the oldest cathedral in Venice, the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta which is a magnificent Byzantine-Italian cathedral dating to 639 AD housing ancient mosaics. Return to Venice afterwards.
Jewish Ghetto and Museum Tour (2 hours)
Visit the oldest Jewish ghetto in the world, located in Venice, along with the richly decorated synagogues. Meet your private expert guide instructed by the Jewish community directly onsite and proceed on a tour of the Levantina synagogue that still today makes up a relevant part of the local Jewish life. Your guide will also show you the highlights of the Jewish Museum that contains precious objects, ancient books and manuscripts that have played an important part in the religious traditions since the 16th century. You will also learn the history of the Jewish ghetto, and its importance in the life of today’s local community.
Venetian Masters of the 18th Century (3 hours)
Proceed with your expert art historian to the Ca’Rezzonico where you will begin your exploration. This richly furnished Baroque palace is one of the most splendid Venetian palazzo and houses the of 18th-century Museum. The rooms are decorated with frescoes and furnished with paintings and pieces of furniture on loan from local palaces and museums. Tiepolo and Canaletto are among the most famous artists we admire in this museum, and we will also look at the work of several others less-known artists and craftsmen that have made the 1700s one of the most successful periods of the Venetian art.
Within walking distance from Ca’ Rezzonico, crossing the Grand Canal, lies the Parish of San Samuele where Giacomo Casanova, the famous ladies’ man of the 18th-century, was born. Hear the story of his life which is emblematic of the last century of the Venetian Republic and ideally closes the narrative of your walking tour.
Exclusive Peggy Guggenheim Collection Tour (1-1 ½ hours) with private museum opening
Visit the famous collections during an exclusive early morning tour when the museum is closed to the general public, and delight in the privacy and silence afforded by the opportunity to tour with a dedicated museum docent.
Meet your expert in-house guide directly at the museum entrance for a fascinating visit of this unparalleled collection. Peggy Guggenheim, an icon in the world of art collectors, was dedicated to the advancement of 20th century art and her Palazzo Venier dei Leoni on the Grand Canal is now the location of her museum. The collection holds major works of Cubism, Futurism, Metaphysical painting, European abstraction, avant-garde sculpture, Surrealism, and American Abstract Expressionism, by some of the greatest artists of the 20th century. These include Picasso, Braque, Duchamp, Léger, Brancusi, Severini, Picabia, de Chirico, Mondrian, Kandinsky, Miró, Giacometti, Klee, Ernst, Magritte, Dalí, Pollock, Calder, and Marini.
Venice Gastronomic Walking Tour with private guide (3 hours )
Enjoy a full immersion in Venetian culture, foods and wines during this walking tour with local expert that will take you on a journey to discover the best bacari, typical Venetian wine bars. Full of atmosphere and unique in their own style, the bacari will be the setting for an authentic and lively experience made of excellent wines and cicchetti, the Venetian style tapas, full of local flavors. Your expert guide will teach you about the Venetian traditions while you enjoy tastes of the local foods and wines at a variety of our favorite locations.
Venetian Aperitivo Experience with private guide (2.5 hours )
Depart with your private guide and embark on an elegant walking tour to experience Venetian afternoons as the locals do at the end of a long day, before preparing for their evening plans. This is a truly unique way to experience the “Italian Dolce Vita” featuring the aperitivo, the most Italian tradition par excellence.
Venice is the home of the Bellini cocktail, Prosecco and the now-trendy Spritz, and your expert guide will teach you about the history of the afternoon aperitivo and why it holds an important place in the lives of the most sophisticated residents of this glamorous city on the water.
Enjoy a breathtaking view of the palazzi of Venice, sipping a Bellini cocktail prepared with real peach juice—at one of only two bars in the city to do this—accompanied by mixed seafood specialties and polenta. Stroll towards the Rialto Bridge with for a glass of Prosecco and gourmet appetizers in the lively atmosphere before making a last stop at an enoteca on the Grand Canal to try an assortment of Spritz cocktails accompanied by a plate of local charcuterie.
Private Gondola Cruise (30 minutes)
Enjoy a private gondola ride, the quintessential Venetian experience in your own private handcrafted boat. Pass through the romantic canals, where you will see historic palazzi and everyday Venetian life, cross under ancient bridges, and experience the serene passages in Venice’s most iconic vessel. Enjoy the option of adding in a traditional Venetian serenade and tasty Venetian appetizers for an enriched experience.
Our areas of specialty include private tours & transfers in Florence, Milan, Rome, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast and Capri, Venice, Portofino, Livorno, Naples, Sorrento, Civitavecchia. We also manage numerous luxury villa rentals in Tuscany and Umbria as well as apartments in Florence.
Please call or email us for a custom itinerary created just for you.
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