Venice: Gondola Ride and St Marks Basilica

Exploring the timeless charm of Venice often tops many travelers’ bucket lists. With this guided tour, visitors can experience the city’s iconic canals aboard a traditional gondola and marvel at the grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica. Through a convenient package, guests can enjoy the rich history and architectural wonders of these celebrated landmarks. While the guided tour ensures a seamless experience, the true allure lies in the opportunity to capture the essence of Venice and create lasting memories. As the city’s enchanting spell takes hold, one can’t help but wonder what other secrets it holds waiting to be discovered.

Key Points

• This 1.5-hour tour includes a shared gondola ride along Venetian canals and skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica with an expert guide.
• The tour package is priced from $91.14 per person and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
• The guided visit to St. Mark’s Basilica provides an opportunity to learn about its beauty and history, with access to the terrace and museum.
• The shared gondola ride lasts 25-30 minutes and can accommodate up to 5 passengers, allowing for capturing holiday photos of the Venetian waterways.
• The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and pets and large bags are prohibited, but infants up to 2 years can join for free if seated on a parent’s lap.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Activity and Duration

The tour provides a 1.5-hour experience that allows visitors to explore Venice through a gondola ride and a visit to the iconic St Marks Basilica.

Guests will embark on a shared gondola ride along the Venetian canals, taking in the famous sights from the water.

Afterwards, they’ll visit the stunning St Marks Basilica, skipping the lines to discover its interiors, symbols, and historical significance with the help of an expert guide.

The tour offers an immersive way to experience the highlights of Venice, providing a balance of transportation, sightseeing, and in-depth exploration of a renowned landmark.

Pricing and Cancellation

The tour package is priced from $91.14 per person. This includes a gondola ride and entry to St Mark’s Basilica.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, providing booking flexibility. Travelers can reserve their spot now and pay later, making it convenient to plan their Venice experience.

However, it’s important to note that the tour may be canceled during high tides or heavy rain, with a full refund provided in such cases.

Basilica Highlights and Features

A highlight of the tour is the opportunity to discover the beauty and history of St Mark’s Basilica.

Visitors will learn about the Basilica’s interiors, symbols, and significance. The tour includes a skip-the-line ticket, providing direct access to the Basilica.

Plus, the experience encompasses entrance to the Basilica’s terrace and museum, allowing visitors to explore these areas.

The guided visit is conducted in multiple languages, including English, German, Spanish, Italian, and French, ensuring an informative and engaging experience for all.

Throughout the tour, guests can capture stunning holiday photographs in this historic setting.

Gondola Ride Details

Along With exploring the renowned St. Marks Basilica, the tour also includes a shared gondola ride along Venice’s iconic canals.

The 25-30 minute gondola experience allows you to admire the city’s famous sights from the water. This excursion features:

1. A shared gondola ride with up to 5 passengers per boat.
2. Boarding assistance to help you step in and out of the gondola.
3. No commentary provided during the ride, allowing you to soak in the sights and atmosphere.
4. An opportunity to capture beautiful holiday photos of the Venetian waterways and landmarks.

The gondola ride complements the St. Marks Basilica visit, providing a well-rounded exploration of Venice’s rich history and picturesque setting.

More Great Thing To Do Nearby

Meeting Point and Restrictions

Depending on the option booked, the meeting point varies for this tour. Guests will be informed of the exact meeting location upon booking.

The tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users, as there are accessibility challenges navigating the historic sites. Plus, pets and large bags aren’t allowed on the tour.

The gondola ride and St. Mark’s Basilica visit operate rain or shine, although the tour may be canceled during high tides or heavy rainfall, in which case a full refund will be provided.

Infants up to 2 years old can join the tour free of charge, as long as they’re seated on a parent’s lap during the gondola ride.

Tour Conditions and Infants

The gondola ride and St. Marks Basilica tour operates in rain, but may be canceled during high tides or heavy rain with a full refund.

Pets and large bags aren’t allowed on the tour.

For infants up to 2 years, the following applies:

1. They can ride in the gondola for free if seated on a parent’s lap.
2. They aren’t required to purchase a ticket for the St. Marks Basilica visit.
3. However, they must be accompanied by a paying adult.
4. Infants aren’t provided with their own seat or audio guide during the tour.

Customer Ratings and Reviews

According to the provided information, customers have overall rated this tour with a respectable 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 21 reviews.

The tour’s guide receives high praise, scoring a perfect 5 out of 5. However, the ratings for transportation and service are less favorable, with 3.7 and 2.8 out of 5, respectively.

Notably, the organization of the tour seems to be the weakest aspect, earning a 2.3 rating. Traveler feedback indicates that while the guided tour was informative, there were issues with waiting times between the various activities.

Traveler Feedback

Travelers have provided insightful feedback on their experiences with this tour. While they praised the knowledgeable guide, some noted challenges with the overall organization and logistics.

For instance:

1. Long waiting times between the gondola ride and entry to St. Mark’s Basilica were frustrating for some visitors.

2. The lack of commentary during the gondola ride was disappointing to those seeking more context and information.

3. A few customers felt the service could have been more attentive and responsive to their needs.

4. Despite these minor issues, the majority of travelers enjoyed the opportunity to explore Venice’s iconic landmarks and attractions through this comprehensive tour package.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Take Photos Inside the St. Mark’s Basilica?

Yes, visitors are allowed to take photos inside St. Mark’s Basilica, providing they’re not using flash photography. However, it’s important to be respectful and avoid disrupting the sacred atmosphere of this historic and culturally significant cathedral.

Is the Gondola Ride a Private Experience or Shared?

The gondola ride is a shared experience, with up to 5 passengers per gondola. Commentary is not provided during the ride, but passengers can admire the famous Venetian sights from the water.

Is There an Audio Guide Available During the Tour?

The gondola ride is a shared experience, with up to 5 passengers per gondola. However, there’s no audio guide provided during the gondola ride – the experience is just the peaceful glide along the canals without commentary.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

No, you can’t bring your own food and drinks on the tour. The tour materials specify that large bags are not allowed, so outside food and beverages would likely not be permitted either.

What Is the Dress Code for Visiting the St. Mark’s Basilica?

There’s a dress code for visiting St. Mark’s Basilica – visitors must wear appropriate clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and skirts above the knee aren’t permitted.

Recap

This Venice tour combines a gondola ride through the city’s iconic canals and a skip-the-line visit to the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica. Priced from $91.14 per person, it allows visitors to experience these renowned landmarks while being guided in multiple languages. With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, it’s a convenient way to capture unforgettable holiday memories in this picturesque setting.

You can check if your dates are available here: