Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries, Venice

Venice's premiere attraction, the Doge's Palace, offers a glimpse into the mysterious and opulent history of the Most Serene Venetian Republic. This 75-minute guided tour of the secret passageways is a unique way to see all of the palace's most famous rooms. Explore the palace's beautifully decorated council chambers and walk across the famous Bridge of Sighs into the New Prison; you'll also see the Torture Chamber and the two cells where Giacomo Casanova was locked up. Book your tickets here for an experience you won't soon forget!

Museums Pass, Venice

Looking to see the sights and museums of Venice? Choose the museum pass that is right for you! San Marco Square Pass: This pass includes the Doge's Palace, Museo Correr, Archaeological Museums and the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. This pass is ideal for the traveler who only has a day or two to spend in Venice. Museums Pass: For the traveler who has more time to explore Venice's treasures, the Venice Museums Pass is the right choice. This pass includes all of the San Marco Museums plus the Murano Glass Factory, Burano Lace Factory, Ca'Rezzonico, Palazzo Mocenigo, Carlo Goldoni's house, Ca' Pesaro and the Museum of Natural History - 11 great museums in all! Please find below a short description of each site: Doge's Palace The official house of government throughout most of Venice's Ducal history, the Doge's Palace has both historical and artistic appeal. The rooms of the palace are decorated by Venetian artists, such as Titian, Tiepolo, Veronese and Tintoretto. Please note that from February 4th until April 23rd, 2013, the 9 rooms comprising the Doge's apartment will be closed to the public to install the special exhibition "Manet. Return to Venice." Museo Correr The museum of Venetian History includes displays collections of armory and Venice's Naval History. The Correr also houses an impressive collection of Canova's sculptures. Museo Archeologico The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Venezia houses one of the most important collections of ancient Greek sculpture, including the famed statue of Leda and the Swan. The museum also displays ceramics, bronzes, gems and coins. Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Marciana The Biblioteca Marciana was designed by Jacopo Sansovia to house Greek and Latin codices donated to the Republic in 1468. The Monumental Rooms of the library now display the original edifice by Zecca, precious and rare manuscripts, and artwork by Tiziano, Veronese and Tintoretto. Ca Rezzonico This palace along the Grand Canal features 18th century Venetian paintings, including works by Luonghi, Tiepolo and Canaletto. Palazzo Mocenigo The palazzo at San Stae is dedicated to a collection of 18th century furnishings and painting, and houses the Center for Textiles and Costumes. House of Carlo Goldini Birthplace of the famous poet, Carlo Goldini, the Palazzo Centani now displays Venetian theatrical memorabilia and is home of the puppet theater from Ca'Grimani ai Servi. The palazzo also houses a large library of theatrical manuscripts and materials. Ca' Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art Palazzo Pesaro exhibits collections of 19th and 20th century paintings and sculpture by artists such as Klimt, Chagall, Matisse, and Kandinsky. Murano Glass Museum The Glass Museum, located in the Palazzo Giustiniani, displays both archaeological glass and a historical glass collection which shows the many eras of Murano glass production. Burano Lace Museum Displays detail the evolution of Venice's famous lace-making school and feature examples of exceptional quality. Museum of Natural History The palace of the Fontego dei Turchi, center of the Natural History Museum, was erected in the first half of the XIII century by the Pesaro family. The name is derived from the short period during which the building was the center of trade (Fontego = fondaco, warehouse) and diplomatic work between the Ottoman Empire and Venice.

Accademia Galleries Tickets, Venice

The Galleria dell'Accademia displays the world's most important collection of paintings by the Venetian school in its monumental galleries on the Grand Canal. Masterpieces by Titian, Tintoretto, Giovanni Bellini, Giorgione, Veronese and Tiepolo are hung on the walls of the former Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Carita', a prestigious, fraternal lay order that is an integral part of Venice's illustrious history. A Renaissance church and a monastery built by the celebrated architect, Andrea Palladio, are also enclosed within the Galleria dell'Accademia. In the early 19th century, this complex was used to store the artistic heritage of Venice after the suppression of its monasteries, churches and guilds under Napoleonic and Austrian rule. It opened as a public museum in 1866. The museum's collection spans five centuries, and covers the Medieval, Byzantine, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Giovanni Bellini's mesmerizing "Enthroned Madonna" and Veronese's immense canvas of the "Feast in the House of Levi" are alone worth the price of admission to the Galleria dell'Accademia, a must-see on any visit to Venice.

Ca' d'Oro (Franchetti Gallery) Tickets, Venice

Named for its original gold-detailed facade, the Ca' d'Oro (Golden House) is a jewel of Gothic palace architecture on the Grand Canal. It was designed for the Contarini family in 1421 by Giovanni and Bartolemeo Bon, the same architects who worked on the Doge's Palace. Without the gilding, the three levels of tracery arches and merlons on the facade look like delicate lace, making the Ca' d'Oro one of the most striking and recognizable palaces on the Grand Canal. The wealthy art collector, Baron Giorgio Franchetti, lived here in the late 19th century and upon his death, he bequeathed the restored palace and his personal art collection to the Italian state. Now known as the Galleria Giorgio Franchetti, the museum has retained the intimate character of a private collection. It displays precious paintings and sculpture by Giorgione, Andrea Mantegna, Bernini, Giambologna and Van Dyck, among others.

Ca' Rezzonico Tickets, Venice

To visit the Ca' Rezzonico is to truly understand life in Venice in the 18th century. This beautiful palace along the Grand Canal was home to the Rezzonico family and the future Pope Clement XIII. Known for its ceiling paintings, Ca' Rezzonico currently houses a large collection of works by artists such as Giambattista Tiepolo, Giovan Battista Crosato, Pietro Visconti and Pietro Longhi. Among the highlights of the palace's artwork are the Ballroom's ceiling fresco by Crosato, depicting Apollo traveling between the continents, and the Nuptial Allegory Room with frescoes by Tiepolo. Tiepolo's Allegory of Merit and a collection of Murano Glass are later additions to the museum.In the 19th century, the Ca' Rezzonico became a home and studio to many artists such as John Singer Sargent and Robert Barrett Browning, whose father, poet Robert Browning died there.

Clock Tower Guided Tour, Venice

The Moors' Clock Tower is one of the most famous architectural landmarks in Venice, standing over an arch that leads into what is the main shopping street of the city, the old Merceria. The Tower and its large Zodiac Clock, a masterpiece of technology and engineering, form an essential part of the very image of Venice. For more than five hundred years, they have measured out the flow of life and history within the city.Visitors will climb the five levels of the Clock Tower, accompanied by an English speaking guide, to view the inner workings of one of Venice's most recognizable landmarks and one of the greatest views of Piazza San Marco. Entrance ticket also includes entrance (unguided) to the Museo Correr, the National Archaelogical Museum and the State Rooms of the Biblioteca Marciana.

Peggy Guggenheim Museum Tickets, Venice

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is recognized as one of Europe's premier museums dedicated to European and American art of the first half of the 20th century. This fascinating and eccentric collection is located in Venice's Grand Canal (precisely in Palazzo Venier dai Leoni), where the heiress Guggenheim herself lived for nearly 30 years. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection displays artwork from different sources, such as the "Permanent Collection" of Peggy Guggenheim, the Nasher Sculpture Garden (which presents sculptures that complement the permanent collection), the Gianni Mattioli Collection, and other works belonging to the Solomon Guggenheim Foundation. The museum represents an outstanding combination between traditional and modern art. It also holds major works of different artistic movements (such as Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism, Expressionism, etc.) created by some of the greatest modern artists.