Venice: Walking tour, Doge Palace, & St. Mark's Basilica

Skip the long lines to enter 2 of the most popular and spectacular buildings in Venice, the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Enjoy the ambiance of this charming part of Venice, and learn about its from your expert guide. Start your tour at the Doge’s Palace, the seat of Venetian political power for centuries. Here you will hear the history of how the Duke and his council made decisions that controlled the fate of this 1,000-year republic. Immerse yourself in the European Middle Ages, and see masterpieces of art adorning the walls of the Palace. Relive the anguish of the prisoners that crossed the Bridge of Sighs, and experience the inside of the prison cell that once hosted Giacomo Casanova. After your guided exploration of the Doge’s Palace, you will be taken on a tour of the inside of St. Mark's Basilica. The Cathedral displays some of the finest examples of Byzantine art in the world, and is the only cathedral of its kind in Italy. Take in the beautiful golden mosaics and marble floor inlays. Learn about the Basilica's history, and discover the Biblical symbolism behind the Cathedral’s art. Admire the Pala d’Oro, the high altar of the Basilica, decorated with thousands of gems and precious stones. During the walking tour you will see The Church and Campo of SS. Giovanni e Paolo - the "Pantheon” of Venice, the great charitable Scuola and the heroic deeds of the famed Captains of fortune. See Marco Polo’s house and Teatro Malibran, where ancient and recent history meet in this wonderful corner of Venice.