Immerse yourself in the history of Venice on a 3-hour small group tour of the once-great maritime empire. Explore two of the floating city’s most important buildings: St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge's Palace.

Meet your guide in St. Mark’s Square, taking a moment to appreciate the space before entering St. Mark’s Basilica. Get an in-depth look at how Venice built a mercantile empire that once spanned the entire Mediterranean. Marvel at mosaics and other treasures as your guide explains how the city begged, borrowed and stole to grow from a tiny island to one of the great powers of the Middle Ages. Enjoy special access to the 1st floor terrace, where you can see the famous horses stolen from Constantinople during the 4th Crusade.

Next, skip the lines to the Doge’s Palace, and explore the political heart of the Venetian Empire for hundreds of years. Admire the opulent apartments and Hall of the Great Council where matters of state were decided under stunning frescoes by Veronese and Tintoretto. Continue to the armory and prisons and learn how grim life was for anyone unlucky enough to be taken prisoner. Discover the secret behind the mysterious black veil that interrupts the official series of Doge’s portraits.

End by walking across the Bridge of Sighs, and learn why this romantic icon has a darker history than you could ever imagine.