Tours in Venice

Are you a typical tourist? Is this your first visit? If so you don't need a guide. Get in line to see the Basilica, purchase tickets ahead of time to see the Doges Palace, take the elevator to the top of the campanile. You might want to finish with an extremely overpriced drink while sitting at a table in the square or just have a gelato while wandering around. Perhaps jump on a vaporetto for a ride down the Grand Canal. Really, unless you want to know specifics, you don't need a guide.

If you're going to the Doge's Palace, I definitely recommend booking the Secret Itineraries tour (preferably through their website, before you leave). Beyond that, it depends on your interests. I've used Context venice for a number of tours and really found they enriched the experience. I did their tour of the Byzantine and medieval churches of the lagoon and really enjoyed it. On my last trip, I also did their orientation ride through some of the smaller canals; it gave me a perspective I hadn't gotten through previous visits on my own. And if you're interested in learning more about art, I would recommend any of their art-focused tours.

I was in Venice several years ago with my daughter on a tour. This time I'm planning the trip with my sister, niece, and cousin. Sister and I are really into music. All of us are into wine. I just remember always feeling lost in Venice on our free time, going to Murano, and eating some not so good Italian food.

There are several RS audio guides (free) for Venice. I enjoyed them all. The Secret Itineraries tour at the Doge's Palace is very interesting. I liked their audio guide for the rest of the site. You can take a guided tour of the Jewish Ghetto, which begins at the museum there.

Faye, the best part of Venice is getting lost! I am an obssessive planner and in Venice I allow myself to just wander and experience. Venice has become my favorite place to visit for that reason (plus no cars or motorcycles). I, too, recommend the Secret Itineraries tour of the Doges-the attics are very interesting. I like to stay away from the Piazza San Marcos from around 10-4pm, I love to ride the traghettos (cheaper than gondolas), visit the Rialto fish and veg market early in the a.m., stop often for coffee &/or wine, sit in a smaller square or campo and people watch (particularly on Sundays when the fathers bring their children to play). Just be sure to know how to get to your hotel from one of the main sights (like San Marcos or Rialto), then watch for the signs above your head at most intersections and head in the direction of one of them when you are ready to go back to the hotel and put your feet up.
If you like music, be sure to attend a Vivaldi concert. I went to one in a former church, not far from the Accademia bridge I think, and it was great.

Thanks again. Does anyone remember going across the Bridge of Sighs and seeing the dungeons on a tour?

For the truly nerdy among us, there is Venicescapes. Michael Broderick does an amazing job of addressing the history of Venice in several carefully crafted tours. We've been on his general history tour (about 8 hrs) and his Doge's Palace tour (about 6 hrs). These are not for the faint of heart (or poor walkers), but for those who want a truly in-depth, scholarly view of the city they can't be beat. We will definitely be taking other tours with him next time we are in Venice.