I've seen another post on this forum where a couple of people recommended this free walking tour http://www.venicefreetours.com/ But we've also seen this one http://venicefreewalkingtour.com/ recommended on a travel blog, and this one (which we looked at before, and it looked good- at the moment the website is down) http://freetourvenice.com. Any recent feedback on any of these tours?
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
8027 posts
Hi Eleanor - this may not be helpful, as I haven't taken either tour, and it's been 14 years since last in Venice, but . . . Rick Steves' book back then recommended a walking tour that included visiting the gondola-building site and entry to a private palazzo right on the Grand Canal, which was being maintained and renovated. It had been featured on his Venice show on PBS. The exceptionally informed guide was named Michael, an American who had moved to Venice. His tour was, frankly, pretty expensive, but in the end was very, very worthwhile. Some of the proceeds went to the upkeep and restoration of the magnificent palazzo. I don't have his contact information immediately available, or even if he's still doing the tours, but can locate the old info if you're interested.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
I was in Venice in January, when none of the free tours were running.
My experience throughout Europe is that free tours aren’t generally free. The guides are either not paid and rely on tips to make a living or they are paid a minimum salary and need a top up from those on the tour. On free tours I have taken elsewhere in Europe - the tips suggested by the guides are the same as the paid tours. Take a paid tour, as the guides will be paid more and you should get a better quality guide.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
We've done this one.
http://www.venicefreetours.com
Fun guides, very informative. Have recommended it to friends and they liked it too.
It's also a great way to stay in the outdoors on arrival day.
Posted by
72 posts
I did a so called free tour and found that the guide spent so much time talking what we would get if we paid, but that was in Rome
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7305 posts
Any tour whether free or not can be really good or really bad. A good knowledgeable enthusiastic guide makes all the difference.
We've done both- one of the best tours we ever did was a Free walking tour in Prague- the guide was just superb.
One of the worst tours we did was not free-in Munich- the guide was just so-so, really a bore.
One thing about free tours is if it is bad- you can just walk away. (I'd probably still give the guide a small tip just because)