St Mark’s Square
Cruise around Venice islands in style with a private luxury boat on this half-day highlights tour including San Marco, Lido and a glass factory in Murano.
Venice is one of Italy's most unique and fascinating cities. With a history dating back to the 5th Century, it is world-famous for its extraordinary topography. The city is built upon a lagoon and made up of a network of over 118 small islands, connected by over 400 bridges, and crisscrossed by around 150 canals. As a result, the best way to explore the city is by boat and our luxury boat tour is a delightful way to explore the highlights of Venice and get a comprehensive introduction to the city’s history, architecture and captivating culture.
On this luxury private boat tour, you will:
The stunning mosaic of islands that make up Venice truly has to be seen to be believed. The city and its surrounding lagoon have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status and its history, nature, architecture, and amazing arts and cultural scene captivates millions of visitors every year. Experience our private luxury boat tour of the city known as the Sirenissima and ensure to beat the crowds on the narrow streets and see the many islands and landmarks in all their splendour from a unique vantage point on the water.
Your adventure through the lagoon will begin at your hotel or another location of your choice in central Venice where your friendly local guide will be waiting to immerse you in the city’s charming cultural patrimony. After getting acquainted, you will be aboard your vessel for the day’s exploring, a gorgeous Luxury Riva Aquariva Limousine Boat. Once you get comfortable, you will journey to the heart of the lagoon, seeing a series of spectacular sites along the way.
While the exact itinerary of your tour may vary depending on the conditions on the day, your guide will be sure to include the Island of San Marco, known to house some of the city’s most famous landmarks including the grand St. Mark’s Square, the breathtaking Basilica di San Marco and the majestic Doge’s palace. Your guide will point out some of the city's most emblematic architecture and reveal gripping tales of the historic events that occurred amongst the charming streets. You will also make it to the nearby San Giorgio Maggiore island, one of the most picturesque spots in the Venetian lagoon, which offers fantastic views of the Venice skyline and the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore, a masterpiece of classical architecture that dates back to 1610.
Another stop on your voyage will be the intriguing island of Poveglia where your guide will regale you with stories of some of the mysterious legends associated with this eerie abandoned enclave. Whilst visits to the island are prohibited, your captain will get you as close as possible so you can get a feel for the tumultuous history and alleged ghostly aura from the spirits of many who have perished upon Poveglia over the years. Adjacent to Poveglia you will have the chance to cruise up and down the incredible Lido di Venezia, a long, narrow island that forms a natural barrier between the Venetian Lagoon and the Adriatic Sea. The lido is celebrated for its sandy beaches, whimsical Art Deco architecture and for being the home of the Venice Film Festival, one of the most hotly-anticipated events for cinephiles where the Hollywood royalty and prestigious auteurs descend on the lido in August and September every year.
Right at the tip of the Lido, you will find the lush green island of Vignole, traditionally known as Venice’s vegetable garden. You will take in this oasis of gardens, orchards and vineyards dating back hundreds of years, many of which provide fresh produce to the restaurants of Venice to this day. Right next door, you will see Certosa, another lesser-known islet where you may spot a variety of birds and other wildlife. All the while you will have the chance to enjoy a glass of prosecco on board as well as snack on some traditional Venetian cookies that will give you a delectable taste of a much-loved local delicacy.
No boat trip around the islands of Venice would be complete without a stop on Murano, one the most famous and colourful islands thanks to its myriad of talented artisans. Murano is synonymous with Venetian glass, an art form that dates back to the late 13th century, and your guide will explain why the glassmakers relocated to the island as well as how the tradition is still going strong today. You will even get the chance to step inside one of Murano’s oldest glassblowing factories to see the elaborate art of glassmaking firsthand.
Following your exuberating artistic interlude in Murano, you will climb back aboard your boat and cross the lagoon one more time to return to bustling central Venice. You have the option to return to your hotel, or your guide can take you back to St. Mark’s Square should you wish to continue your exploration of the Floating City on foot. Your guide can provide a wealth of recommendations for what to see, do and eat during the rest of your stay in Venice and this unforgettable excursion will come to a close, no doubt one of the highlights of your trip.
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Visit the must-see sites of Venice in a full-day private tour from St. Mark's Basilica & the Doge's Palace, to the Rialto Bridge & the neighbourhoods of San Polo, Dorsoduro, San Marco & Castello.
Cross the Venetian Lagoon in a private boat to Murano and enjoy a glassblowing demonstration in the oldest workshop in Venice and an exclusive tour of its glass exhibits, usually closed to the public.
Enjoy a private tour of The Accademia Gallery of Venice, the world-famous museum of Renaissance masterpieces, followed by a visit to the beautiful Frari Church and a stroll in the San Polo district.
Visit two of Venice's most popular landmarks: St. Mark's Basilica & the Doge's Palace, followed by a city walk towards the Rialto bridge on this private half-day walking tour.
Watch Venice come to life as you explore the fish, fruit and vegetable Rialto markets that marvel both tourists and locals with their scents, colours and fresh produce on this private walking tour.
Learn the traditional skills of navigating the iconic canals of Venice by gondola in this private 1.5 hr lesson, and become a gondolier in this fun, family-friendly experience.
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