St Mark's Basilica After-Hours Small Group Tour with Optional Doge's Palace

The tour was great. My complaint was that the 3.5 hour tour included a 1.5 hour break where we were to go find dinner and meet back. The tour should more accurately ne described as a 2 hour tour with a 1.5 hour break.

Iole was our tour guide and she was amazing! She pointed out the most important things while always keeping our interest. Her energy and passion for her work really shined through. Palace and Basilica were incredible; we are so happy we booked this tour.

Calling this a small group tour is misleading. Your group may be small, but you will be one of many other small groups in there at the same time.

My husband and I enjoyed this after-hours small group tour while the Basilica was empty and quiet. The tour starts outside in the square and slowly makes it way inside where, sadly, you can see the destruction of water intrusion and uneven flooring. It is most evident as the guide takes you below to the crypt where water still remains. It is a beautiful Basilica and I recommend seeing it and experiencing the solitude within. The tour guide was very knowledgeable, passionate and obviously loved doing this tour.

Alejandro was awesome! He had a great personality and was very knowledgeable. We really enjoyed this tour and would recommend it to anyone!

Loved the small groups and the guide was excellent and very knowledgeable. It was expensive but worth it.

Tour was great! Very informative and a great way to start our trip in Venice. Romy was extremely knowledgeable.

Our guide didn’t show, another group member got ahold of tour company who said they couldn’t reach her either. Meeting place is very vague with little direction if guide isn’t there to greet you. Viator refunded money within days which is the only reason for the 2 stars.

Excellent new tour, our guide did not use her microphone equipment correctly so there were a lot of drop offs as she turned her head and talked at the same time. Amazing sights, highly recommend if you use a guide other than Romy.

Tour guide Andrea was extraordinary! We learned SO MUCH because of his knowledge of architecture and really got to see so many magnificent things that they just can't show you during a day tour. For example, at night in the basilica they shut off the lights for you and start to turn the lights on and it is magical! You get to visit the crypt where they first kept the body of ST Marco before placing him on the altar. The paintings in the crypt are from 12th century(?) and you don't get to see these unless you go after hours. I also didnt realize the story of the merchants stealing st mark's body and bringing it back to Venice was depicted in the mosaic on the front of the church! in the basilica the most extraordinary thing to me was the bejeweled artwork on the back side of the wooden painting on the main altar that they hid from Napoleon so he wouldn't take it! And it was lovely to see how they turn it around for special occasions for the people to enjoy. Andrea made this 3.5 hour tour fly by! And there is a nice 25 minute break in between. His knowledge, pleasant delivery, thoughtful responses to any questions asked of him and passion for his work shine through! It felt as though you were on a tour with a knowledgeable friend. In the Doge's palace you will see works by Titian, Tiepolo,Tinoretto and others. There is a secret passage tour that I would like to do next time. The historical significance of the Scala di Giganti was so interesting and the gold staircase was most beautiful at the top looking down the staircase. Also interesting to learn about the wells to make drinkable water! My husband and I have done many tours in many cities around the world and we agreed this was the best we've ever done! Absolutely, 100% worth every penny! Lastly, the use of easy to use headsets was great so you could always hear and understand our guide.