Embark on a journey through Venice's hidden treasures, starting at Campo San Moisè near St. Mark's Square. Follow our expert guide through a labyrinth of alleys and charming squares known as 'campi,' as you dive into the city's rich history. Along the way, discover captivating stories and the unique Venetian dialect. Pause in front of the magnificent La Fenice opera house, uncovering its dramatic history. Marvel at the Bovolo Staircase, a remarkable Renaissance masterpiece and one of Venice's architectural wonders. This intricate spiral staircase is a part of the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, dating back to 1499 and situated near Campo Manin
Santa Maria Formosa, nestled at the very heart of Venice, Italy, is a picture-perfect square renowned for its storied history and captivating atmosphere. Commanding the square's center is the awe-inspiring Santa Maria Formosa Church, an ageless architectural marvel dating back to the 15th century. The church's façade, a harmonious fusion of Byzantine and Renaissance styles, enchants all who lay eyes upon it, making it an absolute must-visit for travelers. Surrounded by graceful structures and intricate labyrinthine alleyways, Santa Maria Formosa exudes the quintessential charm of Venice. It provides a tranquil haven amidst the city's vibrant energy, perfect for leisurely strolls, immersing oneself in the local ambiance, and savoring the distinct allure of Venice. Appropriately named "Formosa," which translates to "beautiful" in Italian, the square truly lives up to its name, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all fortunate enough to revel in its splendor
The Rialto Bridge, an iconic masterpiece of Venice, gracefully stretches over the Grand Canal, connecting the vibrant districts of San Marco and San Polo. Draped in elegant arches and charming shops that line its edges, this bridge embodies the very soul of Venetian beauty and history. Its origins trace back to the 16th century, proudly holding the title of one of Venice's oldest and most revered bridges, attracting visitors from every corner of the globe. Standing atop the Rialto Bridge, one is gifted with breathtaking panoramas of the bustling Grand Canal, where gondolas and boats gracefully navigate its waters. It stands as an enduring symbol of Venice's rich heritage, an essential pilgrimage for all who yearn to explore the enchantment of this timeless city
At the very heart of Venice, the Grand Canal flows majestically, an awe-inspiring spectacle to behold. Stretching over 2 miles and winding gracefully in an elegant 'S' shape, this iconic waterway weaves its way through the city, forming vital connections between enchanting neighborhoods and providing a stage for Venice's architectural wonders. Embarking on a journey along the Grand Canal unveils a tapestry of grandeur, with palaces, churches, and buildings adorning its banks. These structures, resplendent in their intricate designs, boast vibrant facades and exquisite details, each bearing witness to centuries of Venetian history and cultural richness. As you glide serenely atop the shimmering waters, immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythm of Venetian life. Witness the graceful gondolas and vaporettos elegantly navigating the canal's arteries, ferrying both locals and travelers to their destinations, in a lively and ever-moving ballet
In the latter part of the 18th century, Venice boasted a remarkable array of seven venerable theaters, two dedicated to dramatic arts and the remaining five celebrating the world of music. Among this prestigious lineup, none outshone the Teatro San Benedetto, nestled in the vicinity of Campo San Luca. Its origins can be traced back to its founding by the illustrious Grimani family in 1755, but later, the reins of control passed into the hands of the Noble Society of boxholders. However, a pivotal moment unfolded in 1787 when a legal agreement led to the society's eviction from their beloved theater. They were compelled to relinquish this hallowed stage to the Venier nobility, who held ownership of the land beneath it. In response, the society embarked on a grand endeavor to erect a new, more magnificent theater, aptly named the Gran Teatro La Fenice.
Venice abounds with place names that echo its deep-rooted connections to horticulture and lush, green spaces. From the campi (fields) and campazzi (grassy squares) to the calluses where fig trees thrived, the city's nomenclature is a testament to its organic heritage. The earliest documented mention of Rio dell'Alboro dates back to 1696, while Rio de le Ostreghe graced records in the following century. It's highly probable that these waterways once hosted vendors of succulent seafood, who plied their trade in the vicinity. The cultivation of such seafood, particularly within the lagoon, enjoyed substantial growth, especially in the first half of the 19th century. This influential period left an enduring mark, most notably in the transformation of Ostregheri Canal into the Canale dei Lavraneri, found in the captivating region of Sacca Fisola
The tour guide was wonderful & informative. The Gondala ride was horrible. He was bossy, corrected me when I attempted to take photo with my husband. Talked to gondalier in front of us. Loudly. So we just sat there & didn't move.BAD EXPERIENCE
We both enjoyed learning about the city of Venice. It's history, architecture, and landscape. The tour guide was incredibly insightful, blended with humor and great presention skills.
WAIT! Before you book, read this review as the other reviews here were not accurate. The size of the group tour is falsely advertised as 5 people, hidden in the details it’s 15 and when we showed up it we had 25 people on the tour. I explicitly booked a small group tour because my wife and I are traveling with an infant. Trying to keep up with a large group in crowded streets with an infant was the poor experience we wished to avoid as we frequently found ourselves separated and out of radio range of the guide missing her descriptions. Even if you are not traveling with an infant I do not recommend this tour for anyone.
This was a very nice introduction to Venice and the guide was wonderful. My only regret was that he did not take us into St Marks Square. He did however show us how to get there on our own.
I didn’t make the walking tour portion (due to my own time mismanagement) but they were flexible and helped accommodate me so I could still do the gondola ride which was very nice!
Horrible experience with them! The Viator description said to be there 5 min before time and gave the address to meet that you could just copy and put in maps. It was incorrect so took us to the wrong location. I guess they use WhatsApp to communicate before the trip but no one mentioned that so we had no clue they had messaged and changed it to meeting 20 minutes before. They also advertise as group size of 5 which isn’t true because the group is like 25 but splits into 5 for the gondola rides. We ended up being 5 minutes late because we came from Milan via train then had to walk across Venice to the incorrect spot. I had to put in Illy Caffee which finally took us to the correct spot where the 1st ticket person couldn’t find our reservation so she sent us to her colleague. He found our reservation but it was 311 by then and the tour started at 3. I asked him if he could contact the tour guide so we could catch-up since a walking tour and he refused. I asked if I would get a partial refund then since all he said we could do was the gondola ride. He said no. I made the comment so I paid over $400 for 4 people to go on a 30 minute gondola ride and he laughed in my face and said it looks that way. I messaged the tour company and Viator and they both refuse to help with getting a partial refund. We were willing to catch up on our own and just miss the 1st small bit but no one was willing to help. Horrible experience! Ruined our only day in Venice!
Our guide shared very helpful tips on getting around Venice and had a good grasp of Venetian history
Throughout the tour, our gondolier regaled us with fascinating stories and historical tidbits, offering a deeper understanding of Venice's storied past. From tales of Venetian nobility to the city's maritime traditions, each anecdote added depth to our appreciation of this unique and beguiling destination. In addition to its historical significance, the gondola tour also provided moments of tranquility and reflection, allowing us to soak in the beauty of Venice at a leisurely pace. The city's timeless charm, with its labyrinth of canals and crumbling facades, felt like something out of a storybook.
What an amazing tour of the Venice! Our tour guide was very informative and shared rich history of the Venice and took us through many “shortcuts” and hidden routes/spots. Appreciated the compassion and love he has for the Venezia!
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
Reach us by phone
Reach us by email