Venice like a Local
Full or half day super tour
Description
Venice… just the name conjures up images of mystery and romance. Floating down a canal in a gondola while a beautiful Italian serenades you with classic songs. Watching the sunset from the Rialto Bridge. Having an aperitivo in Saint Mark's Square.
Venice is all this, but also so much more! A city built on more than 100 small islands, Venice is famous for having no roads (and no cars for that matter!). Navigating a city with no roads might seem like a challenge and that’s where this tour comes in.
You’ll meet your native English speaking guide and head straight into the maze-like beauty of Venice. In the next few hours you’ll discover not just the major sites of Venice like the Grand Canal, the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Fish Market.. You’ll also see the first and oldest ghetto in the world, and taking backstreets not crowded with tourists, you'll find other goodies like the world’s oldest casino, and more!
Of course, no trip to Venice is complete without a ride on one of the famous gondolas. Your “traghetto” will take you across the Grand Canal, offering you a unique perspective on the Gothic buildings and bridges, and just a little more romance too!
If you opt for the full day tour, you’ll sit down for lunch with your guide, enjoying the local cuisine, and then head on over to Burano Island -picturesque, colorful and famous for its long tradition of artisan lace making.
Your top-rated, 5 star tour guide is Mark, an American living in Italy for years. Fluent in Italian and a resident of Venice, his “local” status will get you into all of the sites quickly, and he knows exactly how to avoid the crowds and how to avoid wasting time waiting on long lines.
This tour is suitable even for those who are not great walkers - remember that Venice is quite small! All day you’ll only cover about a mile with walking.
This is no “tourist mill” experience!
Make the most of your time in this incredible city and take a unique opportunity to see how an “American in Venice” lives.
Highlights
- Saint Mark’s Square
- Saint Mark’s Basilica
- Bridge of Sighs
- Doges Palace (outside only)
- The Venetian Ghetto
- Venice Casino
- Trip across Grand Canal
- Rialto Fish Market
- Rialto Bridge
- Church of San Giacomo di Rialto
- Burano Island (full day tour only)
Included
- Awesome English speaking guide
- Truly explore Venice like a local
- Visit a Carnival Mask Maker
- VIP glass blowing demonstration
This tour is suitable even for those who are not great walkers - remember that Venice is quite small! All day you’ll only cover about a mile with walking. Be prepared to be walking/standing for the length of the tour. There will be some uneven flooring and steps and stairways. However wear your most comfortable shoes, this tour crosses 16 bridges.
This tour will visit some sacred sites which insist on a minimal dress code. You won’t need a monk's habit, just covering your knees and shoulders is required.
Tips for the hotter months:
Ladies: Keep a scarf in your bag to drape over the shoulders.
Men: Wear longer shorts.
Everyone: Wear comfortable shoes!
Half day tour: 2 euro per person "traghetto" (like a gondola) ride across the Grand Canal to Rialto Fish Market, go to the oldest church at Rialto, cross Rialto bridge and a 360 view from above of the whole city of Venice.
Full day tour: After lunch, continue on a boat to the colorful homed island of Burano and lace factory and it ends where you can choose to stay as long as you like when the tour ends at 4pm, then you can catch a boat back to Venice. There is a 20€ pass for the day (no charge for children under 6 years old). You have to purchase your own boat passes which are good on all boats for 24 hrs.
This experience is in high demand and usually fully booked well in advance, so there is no refund for cancellations.