As you disembark at the
Venice port, meet your English-speaking guide for a full-day excursion (up to
10 hours) of Venice.
Your tour will include visits
to the Doge's Palace, where you can enjoy the secret itineraries of this spectacular
palace. Once the home to Venice's rulers and to the offices of State - the Doge's
Palace is a triumph of Gothic architecture. It was also where countless prisoners
were held captive and tortured. Visit the underground dungeon of the Doge's
Palace and step back in time to see what it was like to be a prisoner under
the Doge's rule. A fascinating maze of cells is linked by corridors and staircases
on both sides of the canal. Famous inmate Casanova made a dramatic escape across
the rooftop in 1756. You will pause for a leisurely lunch (to be paid locally).
Then continue on to the
magnificent Accademia, where the art collection spans five centuries from the
medieval Byzantine period to the Renaissance. Your tour will also take you down
some of the fascinating but lesser know alleyways and narrow streets not far
from San Marco. You can admire the churches and monuments that testify to the
long tradition of the Venetian history and culture, seeing the many different
architectural styles that have evolved over the centuries, from late Byzantine
to Gothic, from Lombard to Renaissance to Baroque.
**San Mark's Basilica Private
Evening Opening At 7.00pm, once the Basilica is closed to the public, you will
enter to experience an after hours visit of San Mark's Basilica. As you enter
the Basilica it is rather dark and once you reach the main alter the interior
of the Basilica will be illuminated for you. Marvel at the golden and rich blue
mosaics inside San Mark's Basilica, lit up especially for you in this never
to be forgotten private opening. After your tour you will be returned to your
ship.
*Please note that the state
museums are closed for visits on Mondays and churches Sundays.