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Walks of Italy San Marco Basilica evening tour?

Posted by (Seattle, WA) on

Has anyone done the “exclusive evening access” tour of the Basilica with Walks of Italy?

https://www.walksofitaly.com/venice-tours/alone-in-st-marks-basilica-tour/

It is pricy ($100) and I am wondering if the guide provides enough historical and artistic information to make it worthwhile. The description sounds a little hyped, and mentions mainly the crypt which “supposedly” houses the bones of St. Mark, and the Pala d’Oro which is difficult to approach closely during the day when the basilica is full of people. We have no interest in the former, and have seen the Pala d’Oro on previous visits, although not up really close. But the idea of being inside there for an hour, with the mosaics lit up, and only 80 people instead of hundreds, is appealing. (Apparently they take 20 people per group, with 4 groups maximum).

We would especially love to be able to see the floor closely—-might it be uncovered? In the daytime they generally have a (much needed) carpet down to protect toe floor.

And we would like to have the special details of the floor and the mosaics pinged out and discussed.

Thanks for your help!

Posted by
2768 posts

Done it and I found it well worth it.

However not really for historical or artistic information. That was good but the part that made it worth the money was simply being in there without crowds and seeing it lit up. I honestly don’t remember about the floor.

I’d say if you primarily want good info, there is probably a daytime tour with a great guide that would be cheaper and as helpful on this front. I just can’t appreciate the art in huge crowds so would happily pay that amount even if there were no guide (just to get the access!).

Posted by
17574 posts

Thank you , Mira. I cannot imagine taking a tour among the daytime crowds, so like you our main reason for going would be to have the interior (almost) to ourselves. But I would like some amount of information on the artistic details. My husband and I have both watched a travelogue (in Italian) as well the Great Courses lecture on San Marco, so have heard many of the historic details, but hope to have the actual artwork pointed out.

I especially want to see that little hedgehog on the floor near the altar! But not sure I could find it on my own, especially if the floor there is covered.

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