Small Group Essence Venice tour and Doge's Palace combo tour

Special offer Venice city sightseeing tours featuring small group guided tours of Venice & the Doges Palace with expert Venice tour guides! Super saver combo that Combines a 2 hrs small group walking tour of Venice featuring St Mark's Square, St Mark's Basilica, Pala d'Oro, Bridge of sighs, Castello district of Venice with a 2 hrs tour of the Doge's Palace and Doges' palace prisons. 9.00am - 11.00am - DOGE'S PALACE TOUR The first part of this Venice day tours package is an in-depth tour of the most important Palace of Venice, the Doge's Palace, to appreciate the unique Venetian political form of government that helped Venice to become one of the most enlightened cities in the world. Hear tales of the infamous "Council of Ten" who used extreme measures to maintain order in the city, and learn about the role played by the Doge in Venetian society. As you tour the Palace admire its richly decorated rooms, with paintings and frescoes by the most important Venetian painters, walk across the Bridge of Sighs, so-called by Lord Byron, that connects the Doge's Palace to its notorious prisons. The tour will also include a walk through part of the small and damp prisons, as the Doge’s Palace was also where justice was administered and where the city’s terrible prisons were to be found. Inside the Doge's Palace see “the mouth for secret accusations“, where even for a single anonymous accusation a person could be arrested and judged by the most feared tribunal of the city: The Council of Ten! At the conclusion of the first of this Venice day tours package, you'll have free time for lunch. 2.00pm - 4.00pm - ESSENCE OF VENICE WALKING TOUR WITH ST. MARK'S BASILICA Start the second part of the Venice day tours package which will focus on St. Mark’s Basilica, followed by a walk through areas of the enchanting Hidden Venice. We'll discuss the famous landmarks of St. Mark's square, you'll enjoy an in-depth tour of St. Mark's Basilica, to admire the astonishing interior covered in rich and lavish mosaics, the precious Pala D'Oro and you'll learn about the strong Byzantine influences on the city that helped Venice realize its own unique style of architecture. Then, experience a very different Venice - off-the-beaten-track! Far from the crowds to see Venice at its best, crossing delicate bridges, admiring meandering canals, stopping at lovely small squares, and being entertained by the commentary of your expert guide as you relive the days of the Venetian Republic and the colorful characters that called this city home. During the tour, you will also see the beautiful San Zacharia's church (exterior only), set in a quiet square, with its rich façade, a blend of gothic and renaissance style. This Venice day tours package will finish in St. Mark’s Square, by the poetic “Bridge of Sighs”.