Duration: 2 hours
Type of Service: Venice Doge's Palace Tour - small group tour
The Doge's Palace is where the highest-elected magistrates ruled Venice with an iron fist. Go back in time to hear stories of crime, betrayal and the legal system that once kept Venice in check. Inside the Venetian Gothic palace, admire works of art by Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese. See the Golden Staircase, the Bridge of Sighs and even some prison cells. This 2-hour includes:
- English-speaking local tour guide
- Maximum group size of 15
- Comprehensive tour general access rooms
- Skip the line Doge's Palace tickets
Experience Doge's Palace History - Meet your guide outside Doge's Palace. Before skipping the line, admire the building’s exterior and learn about St. Mark’s Square. The Doge's Palace, or Palazzo Ducale in Italiano, is a perfect example of Venetian Gothic architecture. Once home to the Doge when the city was a Republic, the palace sits next to St. Mark's Basilica (the former private place of worship for the Doge).
Doge's Palace Interior - The interior of the Doge's Palace is grand to say the least. Inside you’ll find marble fireplaces, friezes and stucco adorning the walls. Some works of art stand out over the rest and our guide will lead you straight to them. These grand creations include frescoes by Titian and Veronese. Look at the Stairs of Gold, which connect the first floor of the palace to the third, where offices were located. However, not everything on this small group Doge's Palace tour is beautiful! Get a look at the grim prison cells where accused criminals spent their days in darkness. All these places paint a portrait of law and order in Venice, and the harsh lives of Venetian prisoners, including Giacomo Casanova.
Something to Sigh About - Doge's Palace not only held the seat of the Venetian Republic, it also connected to a prison via the famous Bridge of Sighs. Linking freedom with incarceration, prisoners walked across this bridge before spending years or even the remainder of their lives behind bars. If that wasn’t enough to sigh about, the small windows carved into the bridge offered convicts their last glance of beautiful Venice. That's plenty to sigh about.
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Duration: 3 Hours, (includes one-hour visit to the interior of Doge's Palace)
Type of Service: Walking food tour of Venice
On this three-hour tour you’ll enjoy the authentic Venetian food and wine traditions at a local Osteria and be introduced to Venice’s famous landmarks, including the exterior of Doge’s Palace.
Your personal local guide will provide you a walking tour of the picturesque Venetian calli (streets) and ponti (bridges) of Venice, telling you the incredible history and secrets of this unique city. You’ll admire the center of the Venetian power during the Serenissima Republic of Venice: Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) and its fascinating buildings, such as the Basilica di San Marco and Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), which was the heart of the political life and public administration of the Venetian Republic. Follow some incredible off-the-beaten-track itineraries and discover Venice's best-kept secrets, then taste the authentic Venetian food and wine traditions in a typical “Osteria.” Mix up with the locals and enjoy a tasty Venetian aperitif with “cicchetti e un’ombra di vino” (finger food and a glass of wine), that will invigorate your spirit and make you look at Venice from the locals’ point of view!
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dDuration: 2.5 hours
Type of Service: Florence Evening Walking and Wine Tour – private tour
A popular social tradition in Italy, aperitivo comprises of snacks and drinks to be enjoyed in a bar before dinner. Your tour will begin from your accommodations as you stroll towards the Duomo where you will receive a short introduction about this historic building and the piazza that surrounds it before enjoying a glass of wine or prosecco with crostini's and tuscan meats and cheeses at a favorite Florentine wine bar and restaurant.
Your next stop on this walking tour you will cross over the Ponte Vecchio Bridge for a great photo before strolling through Piazza Santo Spirito, one of the more picturesque areas of Florence, a lively scene both day and night on your way to a popular wine bar for a glass of prosecco.
Your final destination on this wine tour is to enjoy a beverage of your choice and appetizer on a rooftop bar with amazing views of the Arno River and surrounding landmarks.
This is a wonderful introduction to the beautiful city of Florence. I highly recommend this tour for anyone and everyone.
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Duration: 3 Hours
Type of Service: Colosseum Walking Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Enjoy an intimate, personalized visit of Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill accompanied by an expert official guide whose love for ancient Rome and extensive background in art, history and/or archaeology will reveal Ancient Rome’s true history and spirit. Experience Rome as never before!
Skip the line into the Roman Empire as you enter the Colosseum, the world’s most famous stadium, where ferocious battles of gladiators and exotic animals entertained the Romans and their Emperors. Your expert guide will provide you with a detailed account of this famous landmark leaving you with a vivid portrait of the world-renowned Colosseum and the gladiatorial games.
Continue onto the Palatine Hill Emperors constructed their palaces overlooking the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the heart of Ancient Rome. Take a step back in time as we guide you through the Roman Empire’s majestic villas and gardens and see first-hand where the Emperors lived, ruled, and became immortal.
Visit the heart of Ancient Rome’s political and commercial center, the Roman Forum, where you will encounter the Temple which houses the altar of Julius Caesar. Stroll along the original paths of the Roman Forum and admire the astonishing remains of the “Via Sacra” or “Sacred Way”, which once sparkled with festivals and triumphal processions. Surround yourself with majestic temples, awe-inspiring palaces, and magnificent basilicas constructed two thousand years ago!
Knowledgeable, enthusiastic and articulate English-speaking tour guides will cater specifically to you and make your private visit to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum a unique and unforgettable experience.
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Duration: 2 hours
Type of Service: Florence Sunset Walking Tour - Private Tour
See Florence at sunset on a 2-hour evening walking tour led by an expert guide, learn about the rich history about some of Florence most beloved sites and some of the smaller hidden gems in the historical center; such as the bustling Piazza della Signoria, the area around the Duomo, and the exterior of the Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces from Botticelli, Michelangelo and more. As the sun goes down, stroll to the Arno River and admire a scenic view of the Ponte Vecchio. The fun part of being in Italy is to eat gelato every day and after the tour, you will stop at a popular gelato shop for a scoop or two.
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Duration: Two Hours (7:30am - 9:30am)
Type of Service: Early Morning Walking Tour of Venice
Venice draws millions of tourists every year to experience the beauty of this city. On this early morning walking tour, you will visit some of the city's most popular and famous sites with no crowds. Your first stop is Piazza San Marcos known as St. Mark’s Square, that is filled with centuries of history and is the symbolic heart of Venice, framed by St. Mark’s Basilica, and Doge’s Palace. You will venture on to the Rialto district where you will stop for coffee and learn more about the local life of Venetians. You will see shop owners getting prepared for the day.
Your expert guide will lead you through the labyrinth streets as you continue on toward the Dorsoduro corners. Dorsoduro has some of the most picturesque canals, piazza’s, finest art museums, churches, quaint shops and home to Venice’s university. Throughout the tour, your guide will give you many useful tips about the best places to eat and shop. Explore this floating city before the crowds wake up and catch the early morning life of the locals. The tour will conclude back at the Rialto Market as you experience the colorful shops in the market. An essential tour for the understanding of Venice and a perfect introduction for first-time visitors!
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Duration: 3 hours
Type of Service: Borghese Gallery and Gardens Tour
One of Rome’s richest and most interesting villas, the Borghese Gallery houses a vast and diverse collection of sculptures and paintings produced by masters such as Bernini, Canova, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian. The Borghese Gallery is truly a magical setting in which the beauty of the artwork, fountains, and monuments combine with the rich and diverse flora of the vast surrounding park. In all a true pleasure for the senses.
Your guide will lead you on a walking tour through the breathtaking rooms of the Borghese Gallery and reveal the secrets, stories, and techniques behind the masterpieces. Then, you will go for an enchanting walk through the Borghese Gardens (Villa Borghese) and enjoy the surprises and silence of this Eden in the heart of busy Rome. The tour ends with a breathtaking view from atop the Pincio Terrace.
Tickets Aren't Easy to Come By and Because of its strict, reservations-only ticketing policy, the Borghese Gallery can sell out far in advance, leaving many a vacationer disappointed about not being able to get in. Highly Recommend Advance Reservations - to see one of the most beautiful art collections in the world.
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