Recommended skip the line tour of St Mark's Basilica

My wife and I got the advanced combined tickets for the Basilica, the Pala d'Oro, and the Museum Loggia Cavalli. In my opinion, you don't need a guide; it's easy enough to see everything on your own. As for the Doge's Palace, that's a separate ticket. I highly recommend the Secret Itineraries Tour (there are 3 English language tours each day). There are tour companies that offer tickets to both, but, to be honest, they were quite a bit more expensive than the tickets we purchased for both sites.

I first visited St. Marks the Summer of 1970, and have since returned over 10 times.

The construction job back then continues to this day. Wonder if they're ever going to take the scaffolding down on the front of St. Marks?

Thanks Reederman. I guess ultimately I don't want to waste hours in line so if I get in the Basilica and Palace quickly with a knowledgeable guide as a bonus that's ok with me. I will look into Secret itineraries. Thank you.

The one thing I wish would change is the phrase “skip the line.” They should call it “skip the ticket buying line” because, no matter where you go, there is a line, whether it’s just a line to get in or, as is the case everywhere, a line to pass through security. Regardless, we bought advance tickets for every site we visited in Venice, Florence, and Rome because the ticket-buying lines were always, always long!

I agree. It's likely an over used phrase and doesn't always work out, from some of the reviews in Venice I've read. But, in Rome we used The Tour Guy/The Roman Guy for the Colusseum, City Wonders for the Borghese Gallery and a Rick Steve's guidebook recommended private guide for the Vatican and, no lines! Just went in!! Right by everyone. I felt I paid more than the ticket price, got terrific guides and no line.

In most cases you can simply buy a timed entry ticket on the venue's website if you don't need a tour.

Thank you. I will check on that!!