87 - Venice Private Tour with St. Mark's & Gondola (NEW: Private Gondola Tour Venice)

Highlights 75 - 85 characters with spaces per line

• Gain an understanding of the intricate history of Venice with a private guide!

• Enjoy exclusive skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica on your private tour

• Travel like a local on your luxurious private gondola ride through picturesque canals

• Explore the maze of narrow streets and bridges with your local expert guide

• Admire the thousands of mosaics in St Mark’s Basilica, nicknamed the Basilica d’Oro

Summary (175 - 225 words max)

Your LivTours Private Venice with St. Mark’s & Gondola is the perfect way to experience the best of Venice! Your guide will lead you to the best vantage points for once in a lifetime photos as you make your way through the maze of narrow streets and a million bridges all the while sharing with you the history and captivating anecdotes of Venice. In the company of an expert guide, you will discover the picturesque Campo San Giacometto square, the famous Rialto Bridge, the vibrant nearby food market of the same name and a centuries old church with a hidden important Renaissance altar. Though not in Rome, we can easily say that all roads in Venice lead to Saint Mark’s Square where your guide will make sure you get a perfect view of the breathtaking 9th century Saint Mark’s Basilica.

Admire the beautiful exterior of St. Mark’s Basilica before enjoying your exclusive LivTours access. The church is called the Golden Basilica by the locals. Your expert local guide will walk and talk you through the history of this landmark at the heart of Venice. Beautiful exterior is just a taste of the gorgeous interior filled with thousands of golden tiled mosaics above you. Dating back to the 9th century, your guide will share with you the amazing stories of its continuous expansion and changes.

Everyone who visits Venice should take a gondola ride and we make sure you have an unforgettable experience ending the tour with a private gondola ride in the most romantic city in Europe!

Description (350 words max in 3 to 5 paragraphs)

On your LivTours Private Venice……. tour starts in the lovely square of Campo San Giacometto which is just a stone’s throw from the famous Ponte Rialto and the Grand Canal. The church in the square with the same name, is said to be the oldest in Venice with a construction date of 421 AD. Built by a local carpenter who was devoted to San Giacomo. This neighborhood is a bustling shopping quarter with a lively daily market located near the Grand Canal that fills up with locals buying fish and fresh vegetables.

Your private tour continues on foot as your local guide shares with you the history of the unique architecture and leads you to the perfect place to admire the famous Rialto Bridge with romantic views of the picture perfect views. With the same name as the near-by food market, the bridge was initially built in 1250 completely in wood and its unusual shape allows tall boats to sail unhindered. This is especially necessary being located next to the market allowing for cargo boats to bring in the daily produce, fish, meat and cheeses.

Your private tour continues with a stop to admire the small Church of San Giovanni Crisostomo. Venice, though not the epicenter, was an important player for Renaissance art and the beautiful altar of this church, built by the Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini, is no exception. Continuing through the maze of Venice’s small alleyways you will reach the riveting square of Campo Santa Maria Formosa from which you can admire 11 bridges and at least seven architectural Venetian masterpieces. Among these is the Palazzo Querini Stampalia, former home of the Querini family, now home to the Querini Museum.

In the 15th century Venice experienced its golden age and the square of Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo was an important focal point of the time, you will stop here for a few minutes while your guide tells you the history of this space. Proceeding on your tour, you will arrive in the breathtaking St. Mark’s Square. Admire the exterior of the unique Doge’s Palace facade next to the Grand Canal and get ready to enter the St Mark’s Basilica. Your Venice private tour would not be complete without entering this elegant 9th century church filled with sparkling gold mosaics, imposing bronze horse statues and marble-laden floors.

Your private tour ends with a flourish, as you glide along the narrow picturesque canals in your private gondola. Say goodbye to your guide before enjoying this half hour private cruise, as you fondly remember the history of this stunning city on water.

Please Note:

*During the low season (November 3-March 30) it is not possible to reserve tickets to St. Mark’s Basilica. Due to the low number of visitors there are normally no lines during this period.