Highlights of Venice

In the 18th century, this Venice palace was home to one of the city's most prominent families, including doge Carlo Ruzzini. Renovated by renowned architect Bartolomeo Manopola, the building is now the luxurious Ruzzini Palace Hotel Venice. Overlooking the square of the Church of Santa Maria Formosa, the hotel is centrally located within walking distance to most of Venice's most popular attractions, including St. Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge. Experience all this while living like an aristocrat in dramatic Venetian style.

Enjoy a 2 hour private walking tour of Venice with an English speaking local Guide. See St. Mark's Square, the heart of political and religious power of the Venetian Republic for centuries, and learn the history that lies behind the walls of its most famous landmarks; the Basilica and its Byzantine heritage, the Doge's Palace and its adjoining prisons, that retain the true secrets to comprehend how a city built on swamps became one of the most enlightened cities in the western world. Then, leave St. Mark's behind you to discover the enchanting Hidden Venice. Following a monumental route, your guide will narrate the in-depth history of Venice from its origins to the modern-day. You'll hear tales of illustrious Venetian characters like Marco Polo and Casanova. Other highlights include Marco Polo's House, a Merchants Warehouse, the lively Campo Santa Maria Formosa with its outstanding Venetian Palaces, the Church of San Giovanni e Paolo (the Pantheon of Venice), and at the Scuola di San Marco; you'll learn about the famous Confraternities (Schools) of merchants and artisans that provided the foundations of the Venetian mercantile empire. This walking tour of Venice finishes at the evocative Rialto Bridge overlooking the Grand Canal and the Rialto Market.

Today, sit back, relax and admire the views during an exciting, traditional Venetian Gondola ride.

After boarding your gondola, your fully licensed Gondolier will navigate your vessel through the narrow canals and beneath the many stone bridges of Venice during a serene, half-hour gondola ride. Gently guide on this traditional means of aquatic travel along the Venetian Grand Canal, passing the many landmarks and sites that have made Venice a global tourist hub. A quintessential Venetian experience!

After sailing past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, the Public Gardens, the tip of Sant' Elena and the famous Lido beach resort, the boat arrives in Murano, known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Here you stop for around 40 minutes to visit to one of the factories. The second stop is at the picturesque island of Burano, famous not only for its lace but also for the fishermen's houses painted in bright colours. The stop will last about 30 minutes. Then after a short cruise, you reach Torcello, the earliest centre of civilization in the estuary. Only the Cathedral with its magnificent mosaics and the church of Santa Fosca remain as testimony of its former glory. The stop will be for about 30 minutes before returning to St.Mark's Square.

Highlights: The Lagoon Islands - Murano, Burano and Torcello