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Explore the artistic heritage of Venice
Venice Tour Guide
Discover the art and history of Venice

> Faq

Why should I take a guided tour?

When you are in a new city, you would probably like to discover the best of it. A tour guide will be able to wisely accompany you in your experience, not only talking about dates and historical characters, as any a good guide-book.
A tour guide knows how to indulge your desires and to surprise you. Your guide will show you things that you might not have found alone.
A guide is helpful to skip the long, long lines at the museums and top-sites of the city, and to reach some out-of-the-way places. Ask him/her to guide you through secrets tours and towards unknown authentic places.
Get the best of Venice!

May I ask my guide to pick us up from our hotel?

Sure! I will be pleased to bring you from your hotel till your selected destination. I will try to modulate the itinerary according to your needs!

Why do local guides wear an identification card during the tour?

All licensed tourist guides must wear their licenses while they accompany some visitors around the city or in the museums.
"Guides" without this license are outlaw. If you want a true guided tour, find an authorized tour guide!

May I customize my guided tour?

I will be happy to change the tour so that it suits more your interests and expectations. Considered that I am a specialist in Art History, and that what I prefer is history, paintings, restoration works… fashion and theatre!

Can we book a Secret Tour in the Doge's Palace today?

The secret itinerary in the Doge's Palace is a special tour that allow visitors to see a part of the museum that is normally not open to the public. You could see the ancient "Lead-cells", the secret archive of the Republic, the torture chamber. This is also the occasion to find out how Mr. Casanova could escape from his cell…
Be careful: you must book the tour as more in advance as possible, they're often sold out!

When is the best season to visit Venice?

All seasons are good! Venice is wonderful in all periods of the year, you must only choose the one that fits you more.
Between November and February, the city is quite empty, if you don't fear cold and humidity, that is the season that may allow you go inside the Great Council Hall… alone!
The Carnival time is the best period if you like parties and some cheerful confusion.
April and May are the best seasons as for climate, because the days become long, and weather is nice, even though it can rain sometimes.
From June to October, it's peak season: the city can be really crowded.

Why should I pay to visit a church?

Some churches require a small admission fee to go inside (only for visitors, of course). Do it with pleasure, considering that the small sum you will give is your own contribution to the restoration and valorization of that church. If nobody contributed to the maintenance of these enchanting buildings, they would probably have to be closed.
Thank you for your understanding.

What to do in case of flood?

Venice has cohabited with the sea for centuries, but sometimes it has to cope with very high tides.
If you are going in autumn (October until December), it is better if you check the tide forecast at
http://www.comune.venezia.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/EN/IDPagina/1748.
Do not be alarmed. It is no violent flood, but a slow variation of the water level.
If the tide is marked with yellow or orange code, your visit to the monumental complex of Saint Mark's Square and Rialto con be complicated. Get a good pair of water-resistant boots, and walk on raised walk-ways like all Venetians. If the code is red, it means the tide is exceptional, and touring the city can be problematical for a few hours. Your guide will give you right suggestion.

How can I move around Venice?

You have different options. Every point inside the main archipelago composed of 6 quarters or sestieri (excluding the Guidecca, San Giorgio and the minor islands of the Lagoon) can be reached by foot. With a good map and some energy you will be able to see the major attractions walking.
Getting around by vaporetto is convenient. Line n. 1 and 2 provide frequent links from the Tronchetto (port), Piazzale Roma (bus station), Ferrovia (train station) until Rialto or Piazza San Marco.
In the end, there are a lot of taxis, fast but more expensive.

What time do most museums close?

In general, our museums close at 5 p.m. in winter, and no later than 6 p.m. in winter (7 for the Doge's Palace). Be aware that every single museum has different opening hours and that is better to have a look at their websites.
All churches are closed on Sunday morning because of the masses, and visitors are therefore not allowed. Saint Mark's and the Frari Church are open on Sunday afternoon.
After 6 p.m. you can as well organize a walking tour that do not include any entrance.

We are in Venice for two days only: should we go to Murano?

Venice offers a lot. Not only museums and churches, but also concerts, theatre, exhibitions, cafés. If you had the intention of deepening the story of this city, you could be busy for one whole week.
For example, you can visit the 16 beautiful churches that are part of the Chorus-association, all of them house wonderful masterpieces. Museum as the Ca' d'Oro or the Scuola dei Carmini are not even named in most guide-books, but are really remarkable.
Anyway, if you want to see a glass factory, going to Murano is worth; on the other hand, if you have been told of the picturesque atmosphere of Burano, it is really astonishing. Consider that if you have little time, an half day trip is also possible. Ask your guide!

What are the mayor festival days in Venice?

I'll talk about the most beloved festival days here.
Carnival, between February and March, consists of 2 (or 3!) weeks of mask parades, concerts, balls and every kind of fun. You will find a lot of people that love exhibiting their elegant super-rich costumes. The so called Flight of the Angel is very appreciated…
The Festa della Sensa, 40 days after Easter, on the Assumption day, is among the most important Venice festivals. In that occasion, we organize a spectacular boat parade, which is a remind of the Wedding ceremony between the Doge of Venice and the Sea.
On the third Sunday of July, we celebrate the Redentore festival, that is well-known especially for its incredible fireworks that light the whole lagoon.
The Regata Storica is on the first Sunday of September. This is a competition among different kinds of boats organized on the Grand Canal.
In the end, on November 21st: La Salute day. This important day reminds the Venetians of the defeat of the epidemics of plague in 1630, after that the homonym church was built. A long wooden bridge is built for the occasion, to allow a procession from Saint Mark's until La Salute Church.
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