Historic Venice

Our Shorexc guide will meet you at the Port of Venice to take a guided tour to Venice.

From the ship you walk a short distance along the quayside and join the motor launch that will take you through the canals to St. Mark’s Basin where you disembark.

St. Mark's Square was the political and religious centre of the city when La Serenissima ruled an empire. Here you meet with your guide who will take you on a visit to the Doge's Palace (exterior) that housed the private residence of the Doge, the seat of government and the Court of Justice. The original palace was started in the Byzantine style during the 9th century and was destroyed by fire several times during its history. The present palace was rebuilt in the Gothic style during the 14th century. Your guide will accompany you through the beautiful rooms and point out the fantastic ceiling decorations and well-known paintings by Titian, Tiepolo, Tintoretto, Carpaccio and Veronese.

After leaving the Hall of Magistrates you’ll walk over the Bridge of Sighs, a covered passageway above the canal between the palace and the ancient prison.

You then continue to St. Mark's Cathedral, a magnificent building with the plan of a Greek cross. The Cathedral façade shows the different architectural styles incorporated into the building. Above the main entrance are the Four Horses, copies of those taken from the Byzantine when the Crusaders sacked Constantinople in 1204. Inside the Cathedral you can admire the famous mosaics and the bones of St. Mark, smuggled out of Alexandriato give the city a prestigious saint as its benefactor, are entombed beneath the main altar.

At the end of the visit there will be time at leisure before you meet your escort to rejoin the motor launch and return to the ship.

We will then return to the Port of Venice so you can re-join your ship for onward passage to your next port of call.

SUPPLEMENTS TO PAY WITH THE RESERVATION:

• COMPULSORY HEADPHONES: € 2.50 per person (approx. 3USD)
• BASILICA DE SAN MARCO € 2.00 PER PERSON (TICKET WITHOUT TAIL FROM 04/01 TO 31/10) (approx. 2.50USD)
  CHILDREN UNDER 6 YEARS OLD, FREE ENTRY.

NOTES - ST MARK'S BASILICA:

• The guide will give explanations on the outside since inside is not allowed.
• If the visit coincides with a religious celebration, we will have to wait a few minutes at the entrance.
• Once inside, the visit will last approximately 10 minutes.
• You have to respect a dress code to enter the Basilica (you can not access the interior with shorts or bare shoulders).
• Camcorders are prohibited inside the Basilica.
• Access to the interior of the basilica with backpacks or large bags is prohibited.

ST MARK'S BASILICA - CLOSURE DATES:

• ON SUNDAY THE BASILICA WILL REMAIN CLOSED THEREFORE IT CANNOT BE VISITED
• Holidays: January 1 and 6 / March 20 and 28 / May 1 / November 1 / December 25 and 26.

OPTIONAL GONDOLA RIDE ON REQUEST

OBSERVATIONS:

• Easy / Panoramic / Cultural Level.
• The boat that makes the transfer from the boat to Plaza San Marco is not adapted for people with reduced mobility that require the use of wheelchairs or for baby carriages.
• Comfortable shoes required.