Italian Classic Beauty: Rome, Florence, Venice in 10 days by train

If this is your first time in Venice, then a general interest walking tour is definitely the best choice. But if you’ve visited this atmospheric city before, there are a number of themed tours, all led by experts, that highlight some very specific aspects of the city. To keep the price affordable these are “small group” tours, usually with no more than 6 participants. For groups of 4 or more, a private tour can be arranged, at little or no extra cost. You get the deep knowledge of a great guide and you’ll meet other visitors to the city with similar interests to you.

You could learn all about Venice’s most famous architecture, or discover the city’s famous shopping culture. If you prefer to explore Jewish heritage, there’s a walking tour for that too. See below for all the special interest tours we can arrange for you in Venice.

Doge’s Palace is one of the most impressive buildings in Venice, and there’s no better way to explore it than by taking this special tour, Doge’s Palace and the Politics of Venice. Led by an expert local guide, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the design of the palace and how it reflects shifts of power and politics in Venice throughout the ages.

A Century of Splendor and Decadence: Casanova’s Venice is a tour that will bring 18th century Venice to life for you. You’ll visit a museum in a sumptuous 18th century palace housing rich collections of art and culture, including works by Pietro Longhi, Canaletto and Tiepolo. With the docent you’ll examine numerous beautiful rooms and get a real feel for life among the patrician families who once owned these buildings. It’s a sublime insight into royal Venice.

Castello: Maritime Venice will introduce you to the largest quarter in Venice and the home of the former powerhouse of Venetian naval construction, the Arsenale. During this stroll with an expert local you’ll visit the southwest section of the neighborhood, which is quite distinct in character and a quieter side of the island. You’ll see Napoleon’s legacy of urban planning as well as the Giardini Pubblici and the important church San Pietro in Castello. Your guide will paint a complete portrait of the area’s vibrant history.

The plague played a deadly role in Venice’s history, and this tour, Plague in Venice, will show you the most fascinating aspects of the outbreak that swept Europe from 1348 to 1631. Led by a local historian, you’ll find out how the plague shaped life and politics in Venice, and you’ll have a fascinating discussion on its medical, social and historical effects, and artistic outcomes. You’ll also see the many monuments built in gratitude after the plague ended, including the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute (Saint Mary of Health), designed by Baldassarre Longhena.

Besides the canals, the architecture of Venice is the real draw to the city. This tour, Architecture of Venice, will give you a glimpse of the most impressive buildings in the city. Guided by a local expert, you’ll begin in Campo San Zaccaria where you’ll discuss the mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles of the church complex. Depending on the interests of the group, you may then meander toward Campo Santa Maria Formosa, where you can see the modern interventions of Carlo Scarpa and Mario Botta on the 16th century Palazzo Querini-Stampalia. You’ll then continue on to the other architectural and historical marvels. You’ll dissect the form and function of these immense structures and their importance in glorifying the Venetian Republic to the outside world.

If you’ve read Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, chances are you’ve already been wondering what evidence of the Bard you can find in the city. Shylock’s Venice is the perfect way to get an inside look at the Jewish community of Venice, both past and present. Guided by a local historian, you’ll explore the Jewish ghetto and spend time visiting the Synagogue, and the memorials to Italian Jews lost in World War I and World War II. Of course, you’ll also find evidence of the thriving Jewish community of today.

If you’re visiting the city with your family, or you’re just looking to find out how people actually live in Venice and go about their days with their family, this is the tour for you. Daily life in Venice for Families is led by a family trained expert who will show you Venetian life on an engaging, kid-focused tour. You’ll see the city through the lens of a recurring theme, keeping children engaged. It’s a tour that the kids will enjoy and one that will give you an in-depth perspective of the city that goes deeper than the tourist veneer.

The fact that Venice is built on water is one of its most unique characteristics, but it also poses problems that make ecologists concerned about the city’s future. Led by an expert, The Ecology of Venice is a tour that will show you the historical context of this unique city and its relationship with the surrounding waters. Together with the identification of particular symptoms, characteristics and remedial measures, the narrative during the walk will also provide an introduction to the current safeguarding challenges for Venice and its lagoon.

Art and Society in Historic Venice is a three-hour walk exploring Venetian art from the early Renaissance, and touching on the urban nature of the city and its relationships with water and the East, through trade and the worship of relics. As Venetian art is highly intertwined in the culture and social structure, you will also gain knowledge of the social history of the city. You’ll visit churches such as San Zaccaria, which contains stunning 15th century altarpieces, as well as one of Giovanni Bellini’s most famous works. At the end of the walk you will come away with a strong understanding of the early Renaissance in Venice and how it laid the foundation for the splendors of the high Renaissance artists who followed.

Take your taste buds on a delicious adventure with this tour of Venice's Bacari wine bars and their famous cicchetti dishes. These small tapas-style dishes are ideal for teaming with Italian wine, so tour the city's famous bars and try everything from fried olives to wedges of cheesy polenta. With the chance to learn about the history along the way, this is one Venice tour no food lover can miss. This three-hour tour is a pure delight for all your senses. You'll love it!