132 - Best of Venice - All Inclusive Venice Shore Excursion

Highlights 75 - 85 characters with spaces per line

• Maximize your time in the city of a thousand bridges on a full day private tour

• See the highlights of Venice in one day with an expert private local guide

• Miss the long line with LivTours priority access to the Basilica and the Doge’s Palace

• Enjoy a private gondola ride through the narrow picturesque canals with great views

• Travel in style with private motor boat transfers to and from your cruise ship

Summary (175 - 225 words max)

LivTours’ Best of Venice - All Inclusive Venice Shore Excursion is an excellent tour designed so you can make the most of your time in the city of canals. Your LivTours private guide will share with you a myriad of engaging stories about this centuries old city. Beginning with a private motor boat transfer from your cruise ship in the company of your private expert guide, you will begin to get a feel for Venice. Once on land, your guide will give you an introduction to the history of Venice, as they accompany you on a journey back in time sharing with you highlights such as the Rialto Bridge, Marco Polo’s house and Campo Santa Maria Formosa as you wind your way through the maze of narrow streets and hidden bridges that make Venice the most romantic city in the world.

You will enjoy priority access to the breathtaking 9th century Saint Mark’s Basilica - a must see with its ornate golden mosaics, uneven floor and amazing history. Surprisingly this was formerly the private chapel of the Doge (a type of local Duke) until the 19th century! In fact, there is a covered walkway that connects the Basilica to the Doge’s luxurious palace which you will get a chance to explore with priority access and your knowledgeable private guide.

You will end your tour with a private 30 minute gondola ride through the canals of Venice!

What better way to spend your day in Venice? Come make your trip to Venice unforgettable!

Description (350 words max in 3 to 5 paragraphs)

Your LivTours’ Best of Venice - All Inclusive 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 and peaceful canals 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!

Please Note:

*Please remember to provide information about your cruise ship under “Additional information” in the booking form.

*Offered in: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. Please specify under “Additional notes” if you wish to book the tour in a language other than English.

*During the low season (November 3-March 30) it is not possible to reserve tickets to Saint Mark’s Basilica and we can therefore not skip the line. Due to the low number of visitors there are normally no line during this period.