Venice--Doge's Palace self-guided tour

Gail,

I toured the Doge's Palace last September, but as I recall I just wandered around on my own rather than taking an organized tour.

I went first thing in the morning in order to avoid long lines, and was inside in less than 10 minutes. However, I observed other times when there were very long lines, and these seemed to vary depending on time of day and how many tour groups or cruise ships were in town.

Have a great time in Venice!

We did our own tour this past June. Actually, there is no general tour. You walk in and pretty much go wherever you want. Not much of a line either. We walked right in. We also did not do the secret tour. We do recommend that you get the audio as there is so much to see and the audio really helps explain it. Just having the audio will put you on some type of self-guided tour. If you follow the crowd, you start up the steps off to the right as you enter the main courtyard. You will have to check large bags before going up the stairs.

It's the best I have done. I'm not a group tour sort of person but wanted to know what I was looking at. I found it excellent and doubt if a tour guide would be any better. You go at y0ur own pace and every aspect of the palace is covered. I went in March around mid morning and ther queue was very short. Worst part is getting through security.

I guided myself at the Doge Palace this past May. I arrived about 10 minutes after it opened (which I believe was 9:00am). A warning - first thing in the morning, all the tours from the cruise lines show up. It was difficult manuevering around them in some of the rooms. But, the advantage of them being there is that you can "listen in" and get the details. There are also information boards in several languages in each room. I would read them, listen a bit and then move on. You are guided through the whole palace - meaning there's a certain order and path you must take. You can't just skip a few rooms and head for example to the Bridge of Sighs area.

I enjoyed myself so much that I believe I will return in December and take more time. Enjoy!

I would have liked a more detailed guidebook that could explain more about the art on the walls and the functions of the various rooms. I'm wierd this way, but the Venetian government is fascinating. All kinds of overlapping councils and committees. Much of the art commemorates significant events in Venetian history.

Rick's books and the multi-lingual signs in each room are very helpful.