The Insider's Heart of Venice
Trace the Footsteps of Past and Present Venetians
DURATION: UP TO 3-HOURS
This tour is not centered on monuments, museums, or churches, but rather on Venetians of any time, fame, profession, even some outsiders who came here and never left. This historical walk into the center of Venice, mostly through the San Marco and San Polo districts, is also an occasion to learn about the lifestye of present day residents.
You will meet your expert English-speaking guide and begin the walking tour at St Mark's Square. Stroll through the old theater district, where you will pass by the famous Gran Teatro la Fenice, the celebrated Opera House, newly rebuilt after the 1996 fire which greatly damaged it.
Then, in the steps of Vivaldi and Casanova, into the Sant'Angelo and San Samuele districts. Once renowned for theaters and music, the districts are world famous for artists such as inventor and textiles' designer Mariano Fortuny; Spanish by origin, but Venetian by adoption.
Afterward, you may like to visit Alberto Valese's art shop 'Ebru', which, with its magic paper-mache creations based on an ancient Turkish technique, carries on the local tradition of highly skilled craftmanship.
You will use the popular "gondola shuttle" to cross the Grand Canal at San Toma, and explore the Sestier di San Polo (one of the six neighborhoods of Venice), passing by the house of Carlo Goldoni, the greatest Venetian playwright, who based his witty comedies on everyday life in 18th century Venice.
By the Rialto market area, you can walk into the former red light district (prostitution was legalized here in 1358, but is illegal in Italy of today) and go by the majestic palaces of Isabella Teotochi Albrizzi and Caterina Cornaro, two of the few female protagonists of the local Venetian history scene through the centuries.
The colorful food market area you'll pass through is enlivened by stylish wine bars and cafés lining the Grand Canal where locals and foreigners linger over their prosecco.
Cross the world famous Rialto bridge into the San Giovanni Grisostomo district, home of many silk merchants in the Middle Ages, and home to Marco Polo.
The tour concludes with a taste of the best gelato in town. After, your guide will make sure you get back easily to St Mark's square, which is only five minutes away.
This 3-hour tour includes:
- Campo Sant'Angelo
- Gran Teatro La Fenice
- Gondola shuttle on the Grand Canal
- A walk into San Polo
- Visit to Rialto area
Pick-Up/Drop-Off: Your guide will pick you up from your Venice city-centre hotel. The tour will conclude at a point within the city-centre, where your guide will provide instructions to return to St. Mark's Square.
Includes: Private expert English-speaking guide for up to 3-hours.
Excludes: Guide Gratuity, Extra Hours, Gondola Shuttle Fee.
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