Hidden Corners of Venice, including Skip-the-Line The Doge's Palace and Basilica

Hidden Corners of Venice, including Skip-the-Line The Doge's Palace and Basilica This tour combination is for those who crave full immersion into Venice and its everlasting symbols. See Venice and experience the city through its history and glorious past. Begin your walking tour through some of the most hidden and peaceful corners of Venice. You will learn interesting facts about the past and present life in a water city system. Head to the Doge's Palace, a building that represented the seat of Venetian political power for centuries. With your skip-the-line ticket, you will bypass the main entrance line to step straight inside to discover the treasures. While in the palace, you will stroll between rooms lined with artwork by the likes of Veronese and Tintoretto. In these majestic rooms, the Duke and his Council ruled the fate of the most serene republic. While exploring, listen to your guide to learn how the council controlled Venice from the chambers of the Doge's Palace, and hear about the building's mix of Byzantine and Far Eastern architecture. Another symbol of Venice is the St. Mark Basilica, a beautiful example of Byzantine architecture where Eastern and Western architecture meet. Here, learn more about the everlasting history of Venice and St Mark and how the ruins came to rest within the shields of the Basilica. Surrounded by the Basilica's beautiful gold mosaics and marble inlays, your professional guide will explain the history and significance of the special features of this unique masterpiece. You will have an opportunity to admire some of the priceless treasures shielded in the basilica, such as the Pala d' Oro, a fine example of Byzantine art, with thousands of gems and precious stones, and of course, the golden mosaics - maybe the most famous feature of the cathedral. Your tour ends outside the basilica.