Venice: The City Experience 6 days / City Stays
About This Experience
The canals, the grandeur of St. Mark’s Square, the all-encompassing charm: there’s nothing quite like Venice. Explore every nook of La Serenissima (the most serene), from its hidden alleyways to its iconic canals and eclectic islands. Make this romantic city your home for six days, truly soaking in its dreamlike atmosphere and Venetian way of life.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & hotel transfers
4 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 1 three-course dinner with beer and wine
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Art, history, architecture—all world-class, all in abundance
Discover the city through the lens of a local
The otherworldly waterways & iconic gondolas
With so much time to explore, Venice will become home
Sidewalk cafes, charming piazzas, it all spells relaxation
Indulgence is accepted here, so bring on the pasta
Overnight Flight1 night
Venice4 nights - hotel info
Day2
Day3
Experience the city with someone who knows it best—a local
Breakfast
Experience the romance of Venice during this morning’s guided sightseeing tour. Begin in St. Mark’s Square, and then make your way to the city’s enduring icons, including Basilica di San Marco, Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs). This afternoon, opt to glide along the canals on our gondola tour.
Optional Excursions
Gondola Ride With Music $65* pp
More than 100 waterways crisscross Venice, and boarding a sleek black gondola to explore them has become a time-honored tradition. On this memorable excursion, join your fellow travelers for a tour through the canals of Venice. A musician serenades you as your gondola cruises through the city. Please note: This excursion runs as weather permits. A private two-person gondola ride is available for an additional $100 per person.
Optional Excursions
Gondola Ride for Two $165* pp
More than 100 waterways crisscross Venice, and boarding a sleek black gondola to explore them has become a time-honored tradition. On this memorable excursion, you'll enjoy a private, serenaded gondola cruise through the canals of Venice. Please note: This excursion runs as weather permits.
Day4
Make a date with Venice for scenic stroll or café afternoon
Breakfast
Cruise the Grand Canal, stroll through the Rialto Market, or have a cappuccino in Piazza San Marco. You may wish to join our optional excursion to visit the Island of Burano & Torcello.
Optional Excursions
Burano & Torcello $65* pp
Visit the islands of the Venetian lagoon, a favorite day trip for locals and travelers alike. First travel by water taxi to Torcello, where the story of Venice began. It was here that mainlanders sought a safe haven from invading barbarians. Step inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, whose famous mosaics depict The Last Judgement. The next stop is the tiny fishing village of Burano, where brightly colored homes greet visitors. Wander as you please throughout Burano, and be sure to stop in at the island's bakeries.
Day5
Lose yourself in the city’s old world charms and masterpieces
Breakfast
With another free day, you might choose to get “lost” along the winding streets of one of Venice’s lesser-known yet magical quarters, Dorsoduro. Alternatively, you might opt to join our excursion to the famed Guggenheim Museum.
Optional Excursions
Guggenheim Museum $69* pp
Discover Peggy Guggenheim's personal collection of 20th-century masterpieces on a guided tour of the museum that bears her name. Home to works by artists including Picasso, Dalí, Magritte, Pollock, Braque, Duchamp, Miró and Kandinsky, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection occupies the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni on the Grand Canal. After your tour, you'll enjoy an apéritif overlooking the museum's sculpture garden. Please note: This excursion requires advanced reservation and must be booked by 20 days prior to departure.
Extend Your Stay
Add Venice $329*
All the picture books in the world won't prepare you for the sight of Venice's gilded palaces rising from the sea. Explore the city's many famous churches and museums, but set aside time to get lost in the maze of canals and streets. Deceptive and mysterious, Venice has a soft spot for wanderers—and to them she will open her heart.
Venice2 nights - hotel info
Day1
Explore all there is to adore here, or see where Juliet fell for Romeo
Breakfast
Spend another leisurely day in Venice, or take an optional trip to Verona.
Optional Excursions
Verona $115* pp
Travel to Verona by train, where your guided sightseeing tour begins at the city center, Piazza Bra, where you’ll see many important and majestic buildings—none more impressive than the Arena, which dominates the square and is the third largest extant Roman amphitheatre in Italy. Later, continue on to Castelvecchio. No tour of Verona wouldn be complete with seeing the famed balcony of the lovelorn Juliet of Shakespeare’s renowned tragedy, and you'll visit the Casa di Giulietta where you can ask, "Wherefore art thou Romeo?" This afternoon, you'll enjoy free time to explore Verona on your own.
Day2
Discover a neighborhood that’s rich in history
Breakfast
Start saying goodbye to the city during your final day in Venice. Later, opt for our evening excursion to the Jewish Ghetto of Venice.
Optional Excursions
Jewish Ghetto of Venice $45* pp
Visit the Jewish Ghetto, an area rich in history and a center for Jewish culture in the city of Venice. Established during the Venetian Republic, Venice's ghetto served as a sanctuary for Jews across Europe and the Middle East. On this walking tour, you’ll visit four synagogues, which were originally established to meet the needs of a population divided by ethnic identity and language barriers. Please note: This excursion requires advanced reservation and must be booked by 20 days prior to departure.
About This Experience
The canals, the grandeur of St. Mark’s Square, the all-encompassing charm: there’s nothing quite like Venice. Explore every nook of La Serenissima (the most serene), from its hidden alleyways to its iconic canals and eclectic islands. Make this romantic city your home for six days, truly soaking in its dreamlike atmosphere and Venetian way of life.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & hotel transfers
4 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 1 three-course dinner with beer and wine
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Art, history, architecture—all world-class, all in abundance
Discover the city through the lens of a local
The otherworldly waterways & iconic gondolas
With so much time to explore, Venice will become home
Sidewalk cafes, charming piazzas, it all spells relaxation
Indulgence is accepted here, so bring on the pasta
Overnight Flight1 night
Venice4 nights - hotel info
Day2
Day3
Experience the city with someone who knows it best—a local
Breakfast
Experience the romance of Venice during this morning’s guided sightseeing tour. Begin in St. Mark’s Square, and then make your way to the city’s enduring icons, including Basilica di San Marco, Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs). This afternoon, opt to glide along the canals on our gondola tour.
Optional Excursions
Gondola Ride With Music $65* pp
More than 100 waterways crisscross Venice, and boarding a sleek black gondola to explore them has become a time-honored tradition. On this memorable excursion, join your fellow travelers for a tour through the canals of Venice. A musician serenades you as your gondola cruises through the city. Please note: This excursion runs as weather permits. A private two-person gondola ride is available for an additional $100 per person.
Optional Excursions
Gondola Ride for Two $165* pp
More than 100 waterways crisscross Venice, and boarding a sleek black gondola to explore them has become a time-honored tradition. On this memorable excursion, you'll enjoy a private, serenaded gondola cruise through the canals of Venice. Please note: This excursion runs as weather permits.
Day4
Make a date with Venice for scenic stroll or café afternoon
Breakfast
Cruise the Grand Canal, stroll through the Rialto Market, or have a cappuccino in Piazza San Marco. You may wish to join our optional excursion to visit the Island of Burano & Torcello.
Optional Excursions
Burano & Torcello $65* pp
Visit the islands of the Venetian lagoon, a favorite day trip for locals and travelers alike. First travel by water taxi to Torcello, where the story of Venice began. It was here that mainlanders sought a safe haven from invading barbarians. Step inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, whose famous mosaics depict The Last Judgement. The next stop is the tiny fishing village of Burano, where brightly colored homes greet visitors. Wander as you please throughout Burano, and be sure to stop in at the island's bakeries.
Day5
Lose yourself in the city’s old world charms and masterpieces
Breakfast
With another free day, you might choose to get “lost” along the winding streets of one of Venice’s lesser-known yet magical quarters, Dorsoduro. Alternatively, you might opt to join our excursion to the famed Guggenheim Museum.
Optional Excursions
Guggenheim Museum $69* pp
Discover Peggy Guggenheim's personal collection of 20th-century masterpieces on a guided tour of the museum that bears her name. Home to works by artists including Picasso, Dalí, Magritte, Pollock, Braque, Duchamp, Miró and Kandinsky, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection occupies the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni on the Grand Canal. After your tour, you'll enjoy an apéritif overlooking the museum's sculpture garden. Please note: This excursion requires advanced reservation and must be booked by 20 days prior to departure.
Extend Your Stay
Add Venice $329*
All the picture books in the world won't prepare you for the sight of Venice's gilded palaces rising from the sea. Explore the city's many famous churches and museums, but set aside time to get lost in the maze of canals and streets. Deceptive and mysterious, Venice has a soft spot for wanderers—and to them she will open her heart.
Venice2 nights - hotel info
Day1
Explore all there is to adore here, or see where Juliet fell for Romeo
Breakfast
Spend another leisurely day in Venice, or take an optional trip to Verona.
Optional Excursions
Verona $115* pp
Travel to Verona by train, where your guided sightseeing tour begins at the city center, Piazza Bra, where you’ll see many important and majestic buildings—none more impressive than the Arena, which dominates the square and is the third largest extant Roman amphitheatre in Italy. Later, continue on to Castelvecchio. No tour of Verona wouldn be complete with seeing the famed balcony of the lovelorn Juliet of Shakespeare’s renowned tragedy, and you'll visit the Casa di Giulietta where you can ask, "Wherefore art thou Romeo?" This afternoon, you'll enjoy free time to explore Verona on your own.
Day2
Discover a neighborhood that’s rich in history
Breakfast
Start saying goodbye to the city during your final day in Venice. Later, opt for our evening excursion to the Jewish Ghetto of Venice.
Optional Excursions
Jewish Ghetto of Venice $45* pp
Visit the Jewish Ghetto, an area rich in history and a center for Jewish culture in the city of Venice. Established during the Venetian Republic, Venice's ghetto served as a sanctuary for Jews across Europe and the Middle East. On this walking tour, you’ll visit four synagogues, which were originally established to meet the needs of a population divided by ethnic identity and language barriers. Please note: This excursion requires advanced reservation and must be booked by 20 days prior to departure.
Passport & Visa
In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, and are unsure of your particular requirements, then it is advisable to contact the consulate.
Health
There are no major health risks when traveling to Italy. It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.
Cuisine
Venetian cuisine is based on seafood, with crab and cuttlefish as local favorites. Antipasto might be a seafood salad or sarde in saor (fried sardines), while pasta dishes include pasticcio di pesce (pasta baked with fish) or pasta alla vongole (spaghetti with clams). Also worth trying are zuppa di pesce (seafood stew) and pasta e fagioli (bean soup). Risotto is popular as a first course, served with fish (di pesce) or vegetables (primavera). Local wines are the white Tocai and Pinot Grigio from Friuli and red Valpolicella from the Veneto region.
Transportation / Walking on tour
Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Venice. When you first arrive in Venice, a Go Ahead representative will meet you after clearing customs. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Baggage Allowance
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on luggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies. Bear in mind that your luggage will probably weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. We allow only one suitcase per person. One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height). There may be times when you will have to handle your own bags, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage. Make sure you label your baggage and carry valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on luggage.
Clothing & Packing Tips
Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the theater, you will probably want something more formal to wear. Also, remember that bare legs and shoulders are officially not allowed in churches or other religious sites. Entrance may be denied on this basis.
Currency
The Euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Italy, although it is worth ordering some Euros from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We advise that you take credit cards/debit cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. We suggest informing your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
Tipping
At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.
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great
ziggy the guide was the boom
Venice Lover
Each visit of Venice with Go-Ahead opens up new adventures and sights. Staying in the Jewish Ghetto brings me close to the locals and the culture. The tourist scene at St.Mark's energizes me.
Magnificent Venice!
I travelled from Sept 24- Oct. 1st. I had an awesome time and my tour director, Tini was absolutely EXCEPTIONAL!! She was so gracious and went out of her way on MANY MANY occasions to help us. Since this is only my 2nd European vacay, I would prefer the multiple country/city tours just because after a couple of days in Venice, I had pretty much seen everything I wanted to see so I hopped a train to Florence. However, I would still recommend this tour. I had a great time and it IS a beautiful city.
Wonderful Venice City Stay
Venice was wonderful. My first trip there, and probably not my last. I had a wonderful experience - sightseeing, food, people - couldn't ask for a better time.
Venice is my dream
City stays are what I can do now as I can go at my own slow pace. And Venice is my favorite place in the world where I visit as often as I can. This particular stay's tour director, Tini, is absolutely marvelous - very caring and knowledgeable and helpful.
Venice is beautiful - can't wait to return
This was my first visit to Venice and hopefully not my last. Our flights were great. Tini, our tour guide met us at Venice airport and took us directly to the water taxi, which was a new experience for me, and quite frankly, truly a breath of fresh air after hours of traveling. Our hotel was situated on the canal in the Jewish Ghetto, away from the tourists and the hubhub in St. Mark's Square. The rooms were great, the staff friendly and helpful and the breakfast light and tasty. With the help of Tini we were soon navigating the streets and alleyways, traveling on the Vaporetta with no problem and even managed a train trip to Verona. Of course a trip to Venice wouldn't be one without the Gondola ride. All in all a trip to remember and one to recommend.
Worse trip to Italy We have ever had!
First of all the Go Ahead Tours made a long flight even longer by making a lay over in Atlanta from New Jersey before leaving for Italy. This made a 10 hour flight about 15 hours. Then when we got to Venice, our room was not ready so we had to keep ourselves busy instead of going to the room to get cleaned up and relax. After we did get to our room we had to meet the tour director within 2 hours for an overview of our trip and then have the dinner that was included. We still did not have time to relax. Then the next day, while we were still tired from the flight and not having our room, we were scheduled for our tour of St. Marks. The rest of the time was for ourselves which we managed wisely. Our return flight, however, was a complete disaster. Go Ahead Tours diverted us to Amsterdam from Venice and then to New Jersey. There was a 5 hour lay over. A trip that was supposed to be 10 hours if scheduled correctly took close to 24 hours. Needless to say we will NEVER recommend this tour company or use them again.
A Magical Time in Venice
We found this tour to be perfect for us. The travel and hotel were arranged, a short tour of the city and a dinner were organized for us, and the rest of the time we were free to explore the city as we wished. The district in which our hotel was located was wonderful--away from the crazy crowds near San Marco Square, but an easy vaporetto ride away from everything we wanted to see. The hotel was comfortable, our tour guide helpful, and we enjoyed a good mix of fellow Go Ahead tourists to compare notes with.
FANTASTICO ITALIANA
Venice as only Go Ahead can offer. you've heard the saying , "television and pictures do not do justice." From the time you get on your water taxi at the airport, one word describes The Venice experience for the first time. "UNBELIEVEABLE!" Unlike anywhere you have ever visited, Venice is from another time. Quiet, yet relaxingly exciting! The pace, pleasingly pleasant. The one most precious attributes that still exist in Venice is the family unit. It is not unusual to sit down in one of the many restaurants and be waited on by one of the teen aged family members, the food prepared by the dad or mom, and a friendly visit to your table by one of the grandchildren. One does not have to go looking for great service, great service from that many businesses will come out of the stores and greet you. As for our tour guide, she went far beyond to make the Venice City Stay something that dreams are made. My only regret is that I did not choose the Venice City Stay for I and my wife's honeymoon. And as for Go AheadTours, as I have said for all of the tours we have taken so far with Go Ahead, CONSISTENTLY WORDERFUL
Magical Venice
My second GoAhead trip was the Venice City Stay in December. Every year my sister and I take a bonding trip together and this was our best ever! Seven days in Venice, wonderful tour director, lots of free time and very few pesky toursts at that time of the year. Sabra made the trip so easy and enjoyable, giving us all the information and guidance for enjoying our free time. We did test her on the first day tho, when two members of the group strayed (my sister and I got lost on the Doges Palace tour) and later that day one of the gals was taking a picture of her husband St Marks Square, stepped back a little to far, and landed in the Lagoon! Sabra also put together spontaneous tours depending on the interests of the group such as evening wine tasting, a trip to one of the top costumer designers (most interesting) and an evening concert in a beautiful church. Optional excursion to the islands of Torcello and Burano were well worth the trip (tho my sister got lost again on the way to the water taxi...I just left her and went on...she ended up roaming the narrow streets of Venice and engaging in a bit of retail therapy). We had decided beforehand that we were not going to take the cheesy gondola ride but of course we did and it was NOT cheesy, but worth every penny! My favorite souvenirs were not the famous Murano Glasswares, but the gorgeous Carnivale masks. Some day I'd love to go back and take part in those festivities. This September my husband and I are taking the Northern Italy tour with an extension to Venice and I can't wait to show him the magic of this beautiful city.
