Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour with Fast Track Admission

Explore two of Venice's most beautiful and historical landmarks in one day with this guided tour of Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Basilica. Start with a tour of Doge's Palace at Palazzo Ducale - the pinnacle of Venetian political power, and a symbol of the city's wealth and status, where once, centuries ago, the Duke and his Council controlled the fate of the entire city of Venice. Together with a knowledgable tour guide, walk in to find rooms plastered and packed with hundreds of masterpieces including "Il Paradiso" by Tintoretto, the world's longest canvas painting. Learn about the history and context of the palace as your guide takes you through the hallowed halls and back to the European Middle Ages. Find yourself mesmerized by the rich details of the gold staircase, and the art that decorates the entire building. Next stop: the notorious Bridge of Sighs - its name a reference to the prisoners that entered the Venetian prisons, including the legendary Giacomo Casanova. The tour ends with a guided tour of Saint Mark's Basilica, a masterpiece of Byzantine art and architecture. Sit on its marble inlays and admire its beautiful gold mosaics while your guide tells you about the history of the ancient basilica. While you're there, don't forget to drop by the Treasury, where religious art works collected from all over the world are located. Finally, feast your eyes on the the beloved Pala d'Oro, one of Venice's most prized possessions, made up of thousands of gems and precious stones - a fitting end to a tour of two of Venice's most elaborate and beautiful landmarks.