Venice: Gondola Ride and Golden Basilica Tour｜Italy

On this 90-minute combined program you’ll enjoy a gondola ride along Venice’s canals and a tour of stunning St. Mark’s Basilica.

The first part of your tour is an enchanting gondola ride along the Grand Canal and the inner canals of Venice.

Glide along the canals and admire Venice from a unique vantage point. Venice was made to be seen from the water, and you can sit back, relax, and let the gondolier guide you through the magic of the city.

The second part of the program takes you to St. Mark’s Basilica. The greatness of Venice has always been reflected in the richness of St. Mark’s Basilica, the perfect synthesis of Venetian art and Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic elements.

See the 5 oriental-style domes that crown the shadowy, mysterious interior, gleaming with golden mosaics, colored marble, and precious stones and pearls. Note also the 4 gilded bronze horses that stand proudly atop the central entrance.

The glittering mosaics of the interior tell the story of St. Mark and depict episodes from the Bible. The Basilica’s most famous treasure stands behind the altar in the sanctuary, the Pala d’Oro, a golden altar screen encrusted with jewels.