Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's After Hours Small Group Max 6 People

based on 51 reviews

Duration:3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Location: Venice, Veneto

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Venice is known for its beauty, charm and history but it is also known for its crowds. This tour is designed in a way to allow each tour group to be as small and intimate as possible so our small groups are no larger than 6 people per tour guide. This ensures that you get the full experience from start to finish, and truly enjoy and live the sites as should be done. Italians take great care when it comes to hospitality, and that is what a small group of 6 offers. This particular tour is even more personalized with EXCLUSIVE access into one of the most prestigious landmarks of Venice – VIP access after hours to the incredible Saint Mark's Basilica, preceded by a thorough and enchanted tour of the Doge's Palace and the infamous Bridge of Sighs.
Perfect for all ages and history levels. Book this incredible experience today!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
You and your small group will meet your guide in one of Italy’s most famous piazzas – St Mark’s Square – noted for its charming, Italian-Gothic beauty just off the shores of the canal. This very square began to gain cultural relevance over 1000 years ago with its first chapel construction in 819 AD. Your LivItaly tour guide will tell you just how this square came to importance and the inspiration for St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s palace which create its majestic backdrop. Learn about the cultural influences which have contributed to the architectural beauty of the surrounding buildings – Eastern and Venentian Gothic.
2.
Your guide will then take you to the Doge’s Palace, originally built as a 10th century fortress and later transformed into a palazzo under Doge Sebastiano Ziani. The palace expanded so much throughout time that it eventually even reached the side walls of St Mark’s Basilica. Learn about the amazing color-changing facade of the Doge’s Palace and why it changes color from day to night.
3.
Your tour will also take you to the famous Bridge of Sighs, a last sight for prisoners on their march towards imprisonment, known as one of their last and most memorable views of the beautiful Venetian lagoon. A sight worth remembering even today.
4.
As your Doge's Palace tour ends, you will make your way to Saint Mark's Basilica, the gates of which will have already closed for all other visitors, but will reopen EXCLUSIVELY for us. As you walk in you will be surprised by the darkness within the basilica, but sit on the pews and get ready for a spectacular slow illumination of the prestigious ceiling mosaics – a light show privy only to night visitors. The mosaics depict stories from the Old Testament, images of Noah, Adam and Moses. Learn how according to some scholars, these mosaics replicate the miniatures of ancient medieval manuscripts of the Bible – a historic narrative above, all illuminated to create an ambiance which is absolutely unforgettable. One of the perks of this tour is being able to see the Pala D’oro ancient altar piece up close, an act that is seemingly impossible during hurried daytime crowds. Admire the craftsmanship of gold and silver metal work as well as the 1300 pearls and 1900 gem stones that adorn it. Our guests will also get to see the crypts where noble Venetians have been laid to rest. Learn how the crypt was moved in the 16th century to avoid flood damage and how it was sealed off for over two centuries only to be reopened in the 19th century. But the best part of it all is clearly the fact that you and your group will be completely alone in the basilica for the portion of your tour – a once in a lifetime experience reserved exclusively for our guests.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : jwspid24
Amazing friendly guide!! It was like a friend was taking us around the city. I would recommend to anyone. The small group seeing was great.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-25 09:26:08

Posted By : LazyDaysAnn
Fillippo and the Liv Tours small group Doge Palace and St Marks Basilica tour was amazing.

Liv Tours is very professional with multiple people at our meeting point early, guaranteeing that we were in the right place. Everyone was friendly and professional.

Then the magic started. Fillippo gave us a wonderful and incredibly informative tour of the Doge Palace. Then after a short break, it was time for our Saint Marks Basilica tour. Once we entered the basilica and sat in chairs, they turned off the lights and then let them come on for us slowly illuminating the wonderful sparkling gold. It was magical. Fillippo then gave us another fantastic tour full of enticing information.

Out of all the tours we took, Fillippo was our favorite guide by far.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-10 18:55:44

Posted By : Brian_R
If there is one tour you should choose while in Venice, the Doge Palace/St Marks tour with Valentina is the one. The tour was filled with interesting history and magical surprises delivered in a unique way by the amazing Valentina. She knows her city and the Venetian people and history and shares it with humor and honesty.
The only word to describe St Marks after hours is awesome. It’s so beautiful. This experience was magical and we are so appreciative.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-05 06:10:39

Posted By : O58SZambern
This tour was beyond my expectations. We had both the Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Basilica basically to ourselves. Our guide, Nico, was a phenomenal host - very knowledgeable, upbeat and positive. He made the history of Venice interesting and brought it to life for us. This tour is a bit more expensive than some others - but the value is undeniable. You get a palace tour, a basilica tour, cross the bridge of sighs, and go into the prisons and crypt. It’s at least 3 tours in one. I recommend this 100%.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-28 15:50:16

Posted By : sdF7045OH
Amazing! We learned so much! Nico added so much history and context to the beautiful city! We really enjoyed ourselves.
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Posted On : 2024-05-28 10:31:27

Posted By : 656jillo
So informative. And small Group enabled us to have all our questions answered. Made the tour more customized to us. Tullia very knowledgeable on the history of Venice
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-19 10:53:13

Posted By : Q5200GQannettem
Last night we enjoyed the wonderful experience of the Liv Evening Tour of the Doges Palace and St Marks Basilica. It was the perfect start to our time in Venice. Our guide, Nicola has a genuine love of Venice and its history and this was reflected in his presentation. Being able to visit the Doges Palace and St Marks Basilica at sunset with so few people was amazing. Venice is crowded with thousands of tourists, just like us, but being able the escape the throng from 6-9.30 pm and visit these amazing sites with a handful of people was a real privilege.
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Posted On : 2024-05-18 18:22:19

Posted By : V8622JHlisaw
Nico was a fun tour guide and extremely knowledgeable. He had an answer to every question. He kept the tour moving along nicely.
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Posted On : 2024-05-18 12:40:50

Posted By : M7936RZtanyab
This tour was amazing! It was so beautiful to see the Basilica at night with the beautiful lighting and very few people. This tour was a highlight of my time in Venice! Nico was an incredible tour guide, he gave us so much information and it was clear that he was very passionate, he was so much fun to have as a guide! I would highly recommend this tour!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-18 05:25:53

Posted By : simonhQ5575RA
Highly recommended. Tour guide Pamela made the tour informative and interesting, sharing her knowledge of Venice.

Meeting at 17:30, the break of just over an hour during the tour for time to get something to eat made a pleasant evening before getting a water taxi back to the hotel by about 10pm.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-11 07:48:06