Not just when we can do this but should we do it ourselves or ask a travel agent to do it?
If ourselves, what your group do y’all recommend? If an agent, should we use US or an Italian travel agent?
We are traveling May 2024, four adults.
Thanks so much!!!
What sort of tour are you talking about?
If just walking tours or sight tours there are many tour companies to choose from
Walks of Italy is one
Easy to book on your own - no need for a travel agent
The big question -- want kind of tours ???? Day trips outside the city, walking tours in the city, half? full day? If we are visiting a city and want to do local tours we hit the TI on arrival and book through them. The local TI often will have very interesting local tours. Good resource. If looking for multi-day, generally bus tours, then that is a much different procedures. And what is that you want to see????
I am guessing you are talking about day tours which RS does not provide. This forum is a perfect place to ask that kind of question on.
I would not go with a travel agent unless you have something difficult to arrange and then I'd want to know the Travel Agent had experience traveling to Venice.
It would be helpful to know what you are wanting to see. Basic stuff in Venice like St Marks and the Doge's Palace, Murano and Burano or something further afield?
editing to add: Christine and Frank had slightly faster fingers than I! They hadn't posted when I started typing.
Cissy, you do not need to book any day tours/excursions through a travel agent. You can do everything yourself. :O)
Based on your previous posts, you and your traveling companions do not appear to have an mobility challanges. Your previous question about the Doge's Palace was answered here:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/venice-doge-s-palace-tix-question
For rowing and some other suggestions + booking links or info in this of your previous threads:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/unusual-or-off-beaten-path-activity-in-venice
What else are you interesting in doing/seeing in Venice?
Yes, we are looking to book tours to the big ticket sites like Basilica and Doges Palace.
Never occurred to me anyone would think I was trying to book my trip on this site but not with RS. Sorry for the confusion. As for using this site, I have four of RS’s books of different Italian cities so I know how awesome his info is and also how amazing folks on this site are about helping.
I guess I’m just seeing a ton of websites to book these attractions and I want to make sure I’m using a reputable site. Don’t want to book on my own then find out the website is a scam or anything.
Thanks for the info and the links.
Cissy, I have used Walks of Italy several times in Venice and in Rome. In Venice it was the Afterhours Tour of San Marco and Doge's Palace. I plan to book at least one tour in Florence through them next year and maybe another in Rome. The guides are knowledgeable; all had art or history degrees. https://www.walksofitaly.com/venice-tours/
In Munich this year I took a GuruWalks tour. They also offer tours in Venice. I had two booked but cancelled them after deciding I could wander and see the same things. The difference is the guides' professionalism. GuruWalks guides work for tips. https://www.guruwalk.com/venice?listing_page=true&origen=search
If you don't have the Rick Steve's Audio App downloaded on your phone, do so. There are several good tours on the app, especially the Grand Canal one since you're riding the vaporetto anyway. I listen to the tours and talks as prep for travelling.
You definitely don't need to hire a travel agent for city tours. From my experience with a travel agent, run the other way. If you're worried, ask the forum before booking days tours. Honestly, Venice is so easy you can get a good map, wander and see what you want. You will get lost and that's part of the city's charm. Don't forget to buy a vaporetto pass for the days you're in Venice.
Great advice. I have already downloaded RS app and plan to use it on some walks and tours.
Appreciate the links.
No matter what tours you take, do get a paper map of Venice. Available at any Tabac.
Getting lost might be fun at times, but not always. Phone maps are crap in Venice.
RS has those awesome paper maps in the back of his books so I’ll be ticking those in my purse!!
Thank you for the tip.
The RS maps are fine for planning at home but nowhere near as detailed or accurate as you will need on the ground in Venice or elsewhere
Your hotel should have free paper maps that will most likely be more useful
We almost always use the TI when we arrive in the city. We have had great tours arrange via the TI office with local guides. And, often, the TI will have free paper maps. No need to do it in advance.
We will make sure to stop by and grab one. Plus we will download some of the awesome map apps out now.
Thank you all again!!!
For tours of a specific sight, such as the Doge's Palace, your least expensive option is virtually always going to be found on the web site of the attraction itself, assuming it offers tours. I know the Secret Itineraries Tour at the Doge's Palace is very popular on this forum.
Private companies will nearly always charge substantially more than the attraction being toured. YMMV as to whether the extra cost is worth it.
Commercial tours can be life savers when there's something you really want to see but neglected to book early enough. That probably includes the Doge's Palace. If you arrive in Venice without tickets for San Marco, you can stand in the ticket line; it will probably look terrible, but it moved quite fast in September 2022.
A key thing to know about Venice is that the very useful (sometimes essential) vaporetto tickets cost 9.50 euros per ride. That can build up to an exorbitant figure. It's better to give some thought to how many trips you know you will take (along the Grand Canal at least once, Murano? Burano? etc.) and consider whether one of the passes will save you money:
24 hours: 25 euros
48 hours: 35 euros
72 hours: 45 euros
168 hours (1 week): 65 euros.
I have booked all our tickets except the SI tour at Doges Palace as the month is not up yet.
We will be grabbing the three day vaporetto pass just for the sheer convenience of it. (Rather have it than be scrambling for cash on site.)
Thank you for the advice!!!!
You can purchase your vaporetti passes online and save money. They send you a PNR code which you enter into an automated machine near a stop and get your pass. Here's the website: https://www.veneziaunica.it/en/e-commerce/services The buy-ahead discount is applied at checkout. I bought a bunch this week for a group I'm taking in May and it was easy.
Awesome!!! Thank you for the info and link.
