tour of Secret Itineraries of Doge's palace, Venice

We really liked the tour. Found it very interesting. Donna

I'd recommend it. Although I usually really enjoy historical buildings and museums built into former living spaces, I found the Doge's palace a little tedious. The secret itineraries tour was the part of it I enjoyed. It put a human (albeit, sometimes difficult to think about) face on the place. I also found the guide to really help me get a perspective on the complex as a whole.

We loved it. The tour allows you see room in the palace not available with general admission.

I enjoyed it very much. I went in February and it was very cold - the Doge's Palace is not heated at all (except for the bathrooms - wish I'd known that when I got there), but much better than it probably is in the summer. Most of the tour is right under the roof, so if you're going then, take cold water and a fan with you.

We enjoyed it. We probably spent an hour exploring the main areas after the tour. If you have limited time it may not be worth it, it would also depend on what interests you.

Hi Joe and Jane, My 23 year old son and I really enjoyed the Secret Itineraries Tour! It's kind of fun to get to see things that not everyone gets to see. Be prepared to walk up lots of steps intermittently to the top. You get to see where the Doge's made their laws and interrogated suspects. Especially interesting is the story of the famous Cassanova and how he escaped out the the Doge's prison. Our tour guide made it very fun and entertaining. Although there is an arsenal in the main part of the palace, there is one very interesting one as well in the attic of the Doge's palace. Then afterwards, you can visit the main part which includes the prison cells, Bridge of Sighs, various rooms with statuary and the main room with the largest oil painting in the world. The entrance up the grand staircase on the inside of the palace is very beautiful. I highly recommend the Secret Itineraries Tour! Be sure to make your reservations ahead of time to avoid the lines. You can make them online. I forget the name of the site. Maybe one of the other travelers can shed some light. Also, Rick has the site in his book, I believe. Ruth

We are traveling with our 8 year old son. Would the content and rooms of this tour be acceptable for boy his age in your opinion?

I just got back from Italy and did the Secret Itineraries Tour and really enjoyed it. The guide was very knowledgeable and interesting and took us to places you can't get to on your own. And there was plenty of time afterwards to see the rest of the Palace. Totally worth the time and money.

Yes, the Doge's palace is appropriate for an 8 y/o boy. Creepy rooms, weapons, secret chambers, treachery and intrigue, he'll like it.
My boys at 7 and 11 LOVED VeniceI was a bit surprised because it can appear a bit old and heavy on history, but they truly did not want to leave. I highly recommend a little book called "Kids Go Europe: Treasure Hunt Venice." It is an absolutely wonderful scavenger hunt book that is entertaining for kids and their adults. My guys were obsessed with counting the winged lions, searching out obscure sculptures, trying out new words in Italian. It made Venice very accessible to them. (I have saved the completed book as a family treasure!) Looks like it's currently backordered on AmazonI hope it's not out of print! I also recommend "The Thief Lord" if your son has not yet read it. Or watch the movie version before you go. Really brings Venice to life through a kid's eyes.

Carla,
Not sure what you consider to be "acceptable", it can mean different things to different people. These are all public type rooms, nothing risque or anything. Boys would probably enjoy the cell area and the small armory area the tour takes you to. They probably wouldn't care about the references to Casanova and might ask you who that is.