Tips

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

The profession of tour guide is regulated by the European Community and the Italian government. To become a tour guide, it is necessary to have conducted certain studies and passed a serious exam. Therefore, to guarantee professionalism, the law requires the display of the card during work. Without this license, guides are outlaws.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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 on foot. With gps and some energy you will be able to see the major attractions walking. Getting around by vaporetto is easy. Line n. 1 and 2 provide frequent connections from the Tronchetto (port), Piazzale Roma (bus station), Ferrovia (train station) till Rialto or Piazza San Marco. In the end, there are a lot of taxis, faster but more expensive.
In the end, there are a lot of taxis, fast but more expensive.

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.

Venice offers so much. Not only museums and walks, but also concerts, theater, opera and exhibitions. I reassure you that if you wanted to delve deeper into the history of Venice and really see everything the city has to offer (for example all the beautiful churches of the Chorus circuit, each one with some magnificent masterpiece; or the lesser-known museums such as Palazzo Grimani, or the Scuola dei Carmini) a whole week would not be enough.

If you are curious about glass manufacturing, it is obvious that Murano is a place where you should go. Famous since ancient times, this island is the setting for an extraordinary art every day, where magic and science meet in an even more spectacular way than with other forms of expression. I strongly recommend that you take some time to visit the Glass Museum. Having a guide can be useful to optimize your time, organize the visit in the best way and select the main things.

You will have heard of the picturesque atmosphere of Burano, with its colored houses, to the point that it is often described as one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. Getting to Burano is less easy than getting to Murano, it takes longer, but it is always worth it. On this island, in addition to the scenic architectural backdrop, you will have to observe the production of lace, another form of craftsmanship that reached levels of world excellence over the centuries.

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.

St. Mark's Church is an exceptionally beautiful and fragile place. The number of people who visit it every day is monitored by their electronic ticket purchasing system. Tickets often sell out quickly. Be wary of unofficial ticket resellers: they sell them at astronomical prices, and this is very frustrating. Authorized guides and tour operators have the possibility of purchasing some tickets reserved to tourism operators. Ask your guide for advice.

No. The city has been doing everything to defend itself from flooding for many decades. At this time, very high floods should no longer happen, as they activate the Mose system. Between September and December, medium-low floods have little impact and the major sites are equipped with walkways for citizens and visitors where you can walk without too many obstacles. On the official sites you can find information on the tides day by day (https://www.comune.venezia.it/it/content/centro-previsioni-e-segnalazioni-maree)

Remember that Venice was built to be seen from the water! The best architecture overlooks the water, the real streets are the canals! That said, it is obvious that at least one experience by boat is highly recommended. The gondola, compared to the water taxi, allows you to re-establish for a moment that intimacy with the architecture and urban form that modern life has swept away. The gondoliers are not required to explain in detail what is seen along the route. If you need real explanations, you can ask your guide to accompany you during the tour.