Secrets of the Canals and History Beyond the Visible

Start of the journey: St. Mark's Square

The route begins at the famous Piazza San Marco — the heart of Venice. The guide will tell you about what the square looked like centuries ago, when there were no tourists there, but only local residents, merchants and sailors.

You will learn that the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) was not only the residence of the rulers of Venice, but also a prison. The guide will reveal the secrets of this unique building, tell you about the famous “Bridge of Sighs”, which connects the palace with the prison and along which the convicts walked on their last date with the world.

By the way, do you know why St. Mark's Square is often flooded with water? Here the guide will explain the phenomenon of “Aqua Alta” — the periodic rise in water level. You may even encounter a small flood, and then the walk will turn into a mini-expedition, where you can move around the square on special platforms, just like the locals.

We move towards the Rialto market

We set off towards the Rialto Bridge, one of the most famous bridges in Venice, spanning the Grand Canal. The path to it leads us through intricate narrow streets and canals. Here the guide will tell the history of Rialto, because it was once the economic center of the city. You can still find freshly baked bread, fruit, seafood and cheese at the market.

And if you like stories with a “flavor”, you will probably be interested in the fact that this bridge was once wooden and was destroyed more than once. The modern stone version we see now was built in the 16th century and still impresses today with its arches and storefronts filled with ancient shops.

Secret places and hidden treasures

The guide will not limit itself only to classic places. He will show you the hidden gems of Venice — tiny squares and secluded courtyards, hidden from the eyes of crowds of tourists. You'll see the Castello district, where ancient houses are covered with vines, and the quiet Campo Santa Maria Formosa with its quaint church.

Did you know that in some churches you can find works by great masters such as Tintoretto and Bellini? And the Venetians say that it is in these forgotten corners that the real soul of Venice is hidden.

In the footsteps of Casanova

Venice is a city of romance, and the legendary Casanova added passion to it. On this walk, the guide will tell fascinating stories about how Casanova won the hearts of women, about his daring escapes and, of course, about how he once escaped from the famous Piombi prison, located in the very center of Venice, in full view of everyone!

End in a real Venetian osteria

After a walk around the city, of course, you will want to take a break. And here you will find another unique stop — at an authentic osteria, a small local eatery serving traditional Venetian snacks.

You can try “cicchetti” — small canapes with seafood, cheese and vegetables, as well as the famous Venetian spritz — a refreshing aperitif, ideal to end a busy day.