Venice Combo: Doge'S Palace & Gondola Ride Tour_332933

$149

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Venice Combo: Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride Tour

Reviews (22)
Duration
2.5 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Starting point
Piazza San Marco
SEE MAP

Discover the history of Venice city with a 2-hour tour of the Doge's Palace and an ultimate gondola ride. Marvel at the artistic interiors of the ancient palace where prisoners were detained in the 16th century. Learn about the history behind this palace from your knowledgeable guide. Discover various chambers of the palace including; the Secret Chancellery, the Torture Chamber (Chamber of Torment), and the Inquisitors. Your tour will end with a 30 minutes gondola ride.

What to expect?

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Doge's Palace, Veneto

  • Join the guided group tour which starts at winged lion column at the Saint Mark's Square and enter from the large and bright courtyard of Palazzo Ducale, rich in precious marble decorations, going through a narrow door on the ground floor, you’ll find yourself in the Pozzi (wells). The guide will explain you the places of detention, consisting of small wet cells, barely lit by oil lamps, ventilated only through round holes in thick stone walls and closed in by locked doors with solid bolts. You’ll see the cells and some writings and some drawings on the walls as you can almost imagine and feel despair and the desire for freedom of the prisoners.

  • Next, through a narrow staircase, you’ll visit the two small rooms of the Ducal Notary and the Deputato alla Segreta, important officers of the institutional machinery. These interconnected rooms lead to a Square Atrium.

  • The guide will then lead you to a large and beautiful Chamber of the Secret Chancellery, whose walls are lined with cabinets containing public and secret documents relating to the work of most of the Venetian magistrate. Passing through the small room of the Deputy to the Chancellery one comes to the Torture Chamber, also known as the Chamber of Torment; this disturbing place is linked directly with the Prisons. The guide will explain how torture was practiced in Venice and in which century it was abolished.

  • You’ll continue to the Piombi From the Torture Chamber. These cells were used exclusively for the prisoners of the Council of Ten, either those accused of political crimes, those awaiting sentence or those serving short prison terms. You’ll understand why Piombi is in much better conditions than those in the Pozzi, the terrible cells on the ground floor of the Doge’s Palace.

  • From the Piombi you pass directly under the roof to the attic located at the corner of the building between the waterfront and canal–side facades. Inside it has cabinets that contain a number of weapons, most of the 16th century. From this attic, two long flights of stairs bring one to the Chamber of the Inquisitors, a much-feared magistrate that was set up in 1539 to protect state secrets.

  • Finally, after a guided tour inside the secret path of the Doge’s Palace, the guide will escort you to climb aboard on a gondola for a 30-minute punt along the canals of Venice. Be lulled by the gentle sway of the lagoon as you move deeper into the minor canals, and coast past lesser known areas to see quaint corners and majestic palaces from a new perspective.

  • This two-hour tour will end again at the docks of Grand Canal, it’ll be a hassle free and not overwhelming tour. Share this wonderful experience with the people closet to you and discover this enchanted city with our professional guides.

What is included?

  • English-speaking guide
  • Radio system to hear the guide
  • Skip the Line access to the Doge's Palace
  • 30 minutes Gondola Ride
  • We guarantee "Skip the Line" privileges, even during peak season
  • Admission to all attractions

Is this experience for me?

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not stroller accessible
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

What do I need to bring?

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Spending money
  • Camera
  • Layered clothing

Additional information

  • Please note that this is a shared tour, it is not a private gondola ride
  • For security reasons sacks, bags or knapsacks are not allowed inside the Palace
  • Please not that your seat is non-negotiable: the gondolier will determine what seat you will sit in according to each guest’s weight
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • Voucher: You will receive a secure voucher to either print out or present on your mobile phone.
  • Cancellation Policy: For a full refund, please cancel at least 24 hours prior to the start date of the experience.
  • Quality Assurance: Travelade only works with selected local partners we trust to provide high quality service.

Meeting point

Piazza San Marco (in front of Colonne di San Marco e San Teodoro)

Booking not available

Unfortunately there is no availability for this experience at this moment.

Find similar experiences here:

$149