The Flavors and Culture of Venice: An Escape to the Floating City

4 Day Tour of Venice

Overview
Trip Map
Itinerary
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4 Days 3 Nights

Best Time: Jan-Dec

Cultural Exploration

Local Cuisine & Wine

Discover the beating heart of Venice on this captivating 4-day journey. You’ll get hands-on with Venetian cuisine during a private cooking class led by a local chef in their home, and stroll across the Rialto Bridge to the lively food markets of San Polo. You’ll also glide through the canals on a private gondola ride, take in stunning views of Gothic and Byzantine architecture, and wander beneath St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace on Piazza San Marco. Experience the best of Venetian culture, architecture, and cuisine with personalized guided tours and in-depth travel guidance through our mobile app, ensuring a seamlessly perfect trip.

Enjoy a private gondola ride through the serene canals and past Venice's palatial facades.
Tour the awe-inspiring Piazza San Marco, exploring its Gothic and Byzantine wonders.
Explore the bustling Rialto Market and the charming San Polo district.
Savor authentic Venetian cuisine in a private cooking class led by a local chef.
Discover world-class art and beautiful views along Dorsoduro's scenic waterfront.

Enjoy a private gondola ride through the serene canals and past Venice's palatial facades.
Tour the awe-inspiring Piazza San Marco, exploring its Gothic and Byzantine wonders.
Explore the bustling Rialto Market and the charming San Polo district.
Savor authentic Venetian cuisine in a private cooking class led by a local chef.
Discover world-class art and beautiful views along Dorsoduro's scenic waterfront.

Grand Canal

European History

Saint Mark's Basilica

Architecture

Rialto Bridge

Architecture

Gallerie dell'Academia

Museums & Galleries

Islands of Murano & Burano

Cultural

Must see sights

Grand Canal

European History

Saint Mark's Basilica

Architecture

Rialto Bridge

Architecture

Gallerie dell'Academia

Museums & Galleries

Islands of Murano & Burano

Cultural

Starting from

$1295

per person

4.8 (365 reviews)

Not included

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Trip Map & Itinerary

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Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Venice

Day 1

Arrive Venice

To Be Determined

Arrival in Venice Airport and Transfer by Water Bus or Taxi

There are two main airports in Venice. You will likely arrive at the main airport of Venice Marco Polo which is located 5 miles (8km) across the water from Venice. The water bus (i.e. the "vaparetto") picks up directly at the airport and delivers you to Venice. You'll find the docks just by following the signs and you can purchase a water bus ticket at the airport for 15 EUR. You can also book a private, and very expensive, water taxi directly to your hotel, or take a land taxi to Piazzale Roma near the Venice main train station. From there you can walk or catch a water bus to your hotel. Uber is not available in Venice. If you are arriving at the more distant Treviso Airport, you will need to take a shuttle bus or an expensive taxi (100 EUR) to Venice. The ATVO bus delivers you to the Piazzale Roma on Venice in 70 minutes. The Barzi Bus Service takes you to the Tronchetto docks in 40 minutes, but from there you must take a water taxi or water bus. Both cost 12 EUR.

Day 1

Arrive Venice

To Be Determined:

Transfer from Airport

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon:

St Mark's Square

Late Afternoon:

The Grand Canal

Day 1

Arrive Venice

Day 1

Arrive Venice

To Be Determined

Arrival in Venice Airport and Transfer by Water Bus or Taxi

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon

St Mark's Square & Surroundings

St Mark's Square was the embodiment of The Most Serene Republic of Venice's power and prestige, and as such contains its most magnificent public buildings: the extraordinary golden mosaic-encrusted basilica of St Mark's, the exquisite Doge's Palace, the all-seeing bell tower, the Bibliotecca Marciana library, and what is nowadays the famous Correr Museum. If timed correctly, it is possible to see all these sights on your own within half a day, although a guide can make the process much more efficient (and more educational as well). Keep in mind that the square is one of the most heavily touristed places in the world, so crowds and lines can be an issue. St Mark the Evangelist was not the patrion saint of Venice until 829 AD, when two Venetian merchants stole St. Mark's remains from their original resting place in a chuch in Alexandria, Egypt, and then smuggled the relics home trussed up in a canvas sheet. The pretext for the theft was that the Muslim conquerors of Alexandria were expected to defile and plunder the church. While this may have been true, it is no coincidence that bringing such an important saint's relics to Venice was hugely important politically and signaled Venice's place as a rising independent power. A church was built to house the relics, and St. Mark's Square was established as the spiritual and political heart of the city.

Late Afternoon

The Grand Canal

Snaking through the heart of Venice, the Grand Canal is the main artery of Venice. Flanked by Gothic, Renaissance and Moorish palaces, a trip down the Canal is often the highlight of many people's trip. While the Gondola is the most romantic option, many opt for the less glamorous but equally as enjoyable ride on the 3.8 kilometres Water Bus Line 1, which passes some 50 palazzi and passes underneath the famous Rialto Bridge.

Day 2

Venice

Day 2

Venice

Day 2

Venice

Day 2

Venice

Morning/Mid-Day

Rialto Bridge & San Polo District

The graceful arch of the Rialto Bridge is perhaps the single most iconic sight in Venice since nearly everyone passes beneath it on their journey along the Grand Canal. It connects Venice's two most visited districts, San Marco and San Polo. While San Marco is famous for St. Mark's Square, San Polo more than holds its own as a must-see destination, as it contains some of the city's oldest neighborhoods and most picturesque canals and bridges. It is also home to some of the best restaurants in Venice, and admittedly some of its worst tourist traps as well. Among many highlights is the bustling Rialto Market, which was once one of medieval Europe's busiest financial and trade markets, and still does a brisk trade in fresh seafood and produce.

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

'First Walk' Guided Tour in Venice

If you are a first-time visitor to Venice, the best approach is an introductory tour. This 3-hour private guided walking excursion begins with a selection of the “must sees,” including St. Mark's Square, the former political center of the Venetian Republic, with its many famous buildings: the Doges' Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, the Marciana Library, the Bell Tower, and the Clock Tower. You'll end your tour in the Rialto neighborhood next to the famous Rialto Bridge.

Early Evening/Evening

Dining Out In Zattere

The Fondamenta delle Zattere in the Dorsoduro sestiere (district) is a beautiful promenade with many bars, restaurants and ice cream parlors. It has a great view across the Giudecca Canal and therefore makes for a lovely evening out to enjoy some Venetian cuisine and wines from the Veneto region. The nearby canals of Dorsoduro are also home to myriad bars and al fresco dining venues in the summer months.

Day 3

Venice

Day 3

Venice

Day 3

Venice

Day 3

Venice

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Venice For Foodies: Cooking Class or Culinary Tour

Make your stay in Venice memorable, and indulge in delicious Venetian food and fruity Veneto wines! The goal of this four-hour guided tour is to provide a first-hand culinary experience and show you all the different processes used for several dishes, all under the supervision of a food expert who will be pleased to impart their knowledge to you in the comfort of a private home.

Afternoon to Early Evening

Discover Venice's Naval Heritage in the Arsenale & Castello District

The Venetian navy once ruled the waves in the Adriatic Sea. You can find out more about the Venetian navy's rich and colorful history at the Naval History Museum beside the great naval dockyards at the Arsenale. These mammoth shipyards constructed the Venetian Republic's fleet, which at one time was unrivaled in tonnage, fire-power, and efficiency. Its payroll numbered 16,000, and in the 16th-century wars against the Ottomans a new galley left its yards every morning for 100 days. This helped to secure victory in the decisive Battle of Lepanto, which was the last great sea conflict fought by galleys and which proved crucial to stopping the Turkish advance into Europe. The rest of the Castello District has some wonderful gems hidden away in its back alleys and canals. It is one of the least visited parts of the city, meaning it is a great place to head if you want to avoid the crowds. It even has Venice's first public park (Giardini Pubblici), which was created by order of Napoleon. Four convents were razed to make room for it, but now it is a favorite spot for locals. It is also the venue of the famous Biennale Arts Festival venue. Established in 1895, the Biennale has an attendance today of over 500,000 visitors at the Art Exhibition.

Early Evening to Late Evening

Concert Evening

Venice is a city with a number of amazing concert venues, and what better way to spend an evening than listening to the melodies of one of Italy's great composers, or watching a famous Italian opera. Two very popular venues include The Pieta and the Teatro La Fenice, one of the world's greatest opera houses. Tickets for both venues sell out fast, so it is advisable to book well in advance and dress accordingly. Venice is the city of Vivaldi, so there are always multiple Vivaldi concerts being staged throughout the year. Several of Venice's palaces, churches and scuola act as concert venues, so you're sure to find something to your liking and in the most exquisite setting imaginable.

Day 4

Depart Venice

Day 4

Depart Venice

Day 4

Depart Venice

Day 4

Depart Venice

Morning/Mid-Day

Visit the Dorsoduro District

Discover the less well-known sestiere (district) of Dorsoduro and visit its world-famous art collections at Gallerie dell'Academia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and Cà Rezzonico. Once a haven for artists before rising rents drove them out, it is still a charming and unique district with many lively spots, such as the Campo Santa Margherita, one of Venice's largest squares. Be sure to take a walk along its enchanting waterfront promenade known as Zattere and explore the cafes along its canals.

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Private Gondola Ride

The gondola is no doubt one of the most universally known symbols of Venice; this elegant, elongated black wooden boat inspired innumerable writers & poets and was used by rich & famous people of any age. From Lord Byron to Hemingway, from Elton John to George Clooney, they’ve all been on a gondola ride! Now it is your turn to be rocked down the ancient, peaceful canals, while your gondolier will tell you about the construction of gondola itself and the meaning of the strangely shaped iron on its bow. Venetian palaces will appear to you in all their charm, as the fanciest facade is always the one facing the water!

To Be Determined

Transfer to Airport by Taxi or Water Bus

Most visitors will depart from the Venice Marco Polo Airport, which is located just across the water on the mainland. Because of the impossibility of driving inside Venice, you will need to take a water bus to Piazzale Roma on the edge of the city and then a land taxi to the airport (40 EUR), or take a water bus directly to the airport (15 EUR). It is also possible to take a private water taxi directly from your hotel to the airport, but it's very expensive. If you are departing from Venice Treviso Airport, you have much further to go. You can either take an expensive taxi ride (about 100 EUR) or take a shuttle bus for 12 EUR. The ATVO line departs from Piazzale Roma and takes 70 minutes, while the Barzi line picks up at the less convenient Tronchetto (the docks) but only takes 40 minutes.

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The Flavors and Culture of Venice: An Escape to the Floating City

4 Day Tour of Venice

$1295

Secure Your Customizable Trip Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.

Trip Map & Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Arrival in Venice Airport and Transfer by Water Bus or Taxi

Secure Your Customizable Trip
Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary
Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.