Venice: St. Marks Basilica and Gondola Morning Tour

Venice’s St. Mark’s Basilica and Gondola Morning Tour offers a captivating glimpse into the city’s rich history and stunning architecture. For just $91.14 per person, this 1.5-hour guided experience transports visitors through the captivating St. Mark’s Square and the basilica’s splendid golden mosaics. But the real highlight comes as the tour culminates in a 30-minute gondola ride, providing a unique perspective of Venice’s iconic canals. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this tour promises to be a memorable introduction to the city’s cultural heritage – and there’s more to explore beyond the gondola.

Key Points

• This guided tour offers a comprehensive introduction to St. Mark’s Basilica, including its stunning golden mosaics and marble floors, as well as a shared gondola ride.
• The tour lasts 1.5 hours and includes a 20-minute guided exploration of St. Mark’s Square, a 40-minute guided tour of the basilica, and a 30-minute gondola ride.
• The tour provides convenient meeting points at Calle larga de l’Ascension and Piazza San Marco, ensuring a smooth start to the experience.
• The tour highlights the basilica’s cultural heritage, including the famous Horses of St. Mark on display in the first-floor museum.
• The tour has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with praise for the knowledgeable guides, efficient transportation, and well-organized logistics.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

The tour is named "Venice: St. Marks Basilica and Gondola Morning Tour". It costs $91.14 per person and lasts 1.5 hours.

Availability depends on starting times, and there’s a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance. Customers can reserve now and pay later to secure their spot.

The tour includes a guided walk through St. Mark’s Square, a tour of the iconic St. Mark’s Basilica, and a shared gondola ride.

Highlights are the basilica’s golden mosaics, marble floors, and the terrace view of the square. The tour provides audio commentary in multiple languages and includes entrance fees, though food, drinks, and hotel transfers aren’t covered.

Itinerary

Meeting points for the tour include Calle larga de l’Ascension, 1256 at the TU.RI.VE. Meeting Point and Piazza San Marco.

The tour components consist of:

1. A 20-minute guided tour of St. Mark’s Square.
2. A 40-minute guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica.
3. A 30-minute gondola ride.
4. A return to the Gondola Bauer after the gondola ride.

The main highlights include the golden mosaics and marble flooring in the basilica, a terrace view of St. Mark’s Square, and the first-floor museum featuring the famous horses.

Meeting Points

Located at Calle larga de l’Ascension, 1256, the TU.RI.VE. Meeting Point is the primary assembly area for the Venice: St. Marks Basilica and Gondola Morning Tour.

Participants will also meet at Piazza San Marco, the iconic St. Mark’s Square, before the guided walking tour begins.

These two meeting points ensure a smooth start to the experience, allowing the tour group to conveniently gather and prepare for the forthcoming exploration of St. Mark’s Basilica and the iconic Venetian gondola ride.

The meeting locations are strategically chosen to provide easy access and a seamless transition into the various components of this comprehensive tour.

Tour Components

The tour commences with a guided exploration of St. Marks Square, which lasts approximately 20 minutes.

Visitors are then led on a 40-minute guided tour through the magnificent St. Marks Basilica, marveling at the golden mosaics and intricate marble flooring.

The tour then transitions to a 30-minute shared gondola ride, providing a unique perspective of the city’s iconic canals.

After the gondola ride, the tour returns to the Gondola Bauer, concluding the experience.

The key components of the tour include:

1. Guided tour of St. Marks Square
2. Guided tour of St. Marks Basilica
3. Shared gondola ride
4. Return to Gondola Bauer

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Main Highlights

The tour’s main highlights showcase the stunning beauty and grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica.

Explore the basilica’s golden mosaics and intricate marble flooring, which create an awe-inspiring atmosphere.

Ascend to the terrace for a breathtaking panoramic view of St. Mark’s Square below.

Inside the first-floor museum, marvel at the famous Horses of St. Mark, iconic symbols of Venetian history and power.

This guided experience provides a comprehensive introduction to the basilica’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the splendor of this renowned Venetian landmark.

Inclusions

What does the tour include? The St. Marks Basilica and Gondola Morning Tour provides several key inclusions. Guests get a 1-hour guided walking tour of St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, with a personal audio system and headset for commentary.

The tour includes:

1. Entrance fees to the Basilica.
2. A shared gondola ride.
3. Live tour commentary in multiple languages.
4. The option to add gratuities.

However, the tour doesn’t include hotel pick-up/drop-off, food, or drinks.

Certain restrictions also apply, such as no wheelchairs, pets, or oversized luggage allowed.

Important Information

Certain restrictions apply for this tour, as it isn’t suitable for wheelchair users.

Plus, pets, oversized luggage, baby strollers, smoking, and large bags aren’t allowed. Visitors must also adhere to a dress code, covering their shoulders and knees when entering the Basilica.

Children under 5 years old can join the tour for free. However, the meeting point may vary depending on the option booked, so it’s essential to double-check the details before the tour.

Customer Reviews

Based on the detailed information provided, the customer reviews for the "Venice: St. Marks Basilica and Gondola Morning Tour" are generally positive.

The tour has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 339 reviews. Customers particularly praised the professionalism of the guides, giving them a 4.7 out of 5 rating.

The service and transportation aspects also received high marks, with 4.8 and 4.4 out of 5 respectively. While the organization received a slightly lower rating of 4.1 out of 5, reviewers highlighted the benefits of skipping long lines to enter the Basilica.

The key highlights from the customer reviews include:

1. Highly knowledgeable and engaging guides
2. Smooth and efficient transportation
3. Exceptional customer service
4. Well-organized tour logistics

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Camera and Take Photos Inside the Basilica?

Yes, visitors can bring their own cameras and take photos inside the basilica. However, flash photography is generally prohibited to preserve the delicate mosaics and artwork. Guided tours often provide helpful tips on capturing the best shots.

Do I Need to Purchase Tickets Separately for the Gondola Ride?

The gondola ride is included in the cost of the tour, so you don’t need to purchase separate tickets. The tour package covers all the components, including the guided visits and the gondola ride.

Is the Tour Suitable for People With Limited Mobility?

No, this tour is not suitable for people with limited mobility. The tour itinerary includes walking and stairs, and the restrictions note that it’s not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I Extend the Duration of the Gondola Ride?

No, unfortunately the gondola ride duration cannot be extended. The tour includes a shared 30-minute gondola ride, and this is not something that can be modified or lengthened. The tour has a set itinerary and timeline.

Are There Any Options to Customize the Tour Itinerary?

Unfortunately, the tour itinerary cannot be customized. It’s a pre-set package that includes a guided tour of St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, as well as a shared gondola ride. The duration of the gondola ride is fixed at 30 minutes.

Recap

The "Venice: St. Marks Basilica and Gondola Morning Tour" offers a captivating immersion into the city’s rich history and culture. Visitors can explore the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica, admire the golden mosaics, and embark on a scenic gondola ride, all within a 1.5-hour guided experience. This tour provides a comprehensive introduction to the enchanting sights and sounds of Venice, making it an ideal choice for those seeking to discover the city’s iconic landmarks.

You can check if your dates are available here: