Tours in Venice

If you want some expert guidance around Venice, you may opt for private tours or large group tours. Any may include a boat tour as a portion of a longer walking tour. For private tours, make sure to choose an authorized guide.

A Guide in Venice. This popular company offers a wide variety of innovative, entertaining, and informative themed tours for groups of up to eight people. Individual tours are also available and generally last two to three hours. The guide fee is €75 per hour, which does not include admissions or transportation fees. Small group tours are also available at €62.50 per person. 39/3477876846; www.aguideinvenice.com.

Secret Gardens of Venice. A vine creeping over a wall is often the only hint a visitor gets that this city of stone and water conceals some magnificent gardens. Secret Garden tours led by companies like Aquaforte reveal the gardens hidden behind palazzos and within the confines of convents; they are not only luxuriant oases but also full of rich ornamentation and, as your guide explains, have long and colorful histories. Tours start at $30.99. www.getyourguide.com/venice-l35/secret-gardens-of-venice-walking-tour-t33033.

Venice Art Tours. Half-day guided tours center around the major artistic monuments of the city, but also include residential areas that the casual visitor would probably miss on his own. The tour guide is knowledgeable and willing to adjust his itinerary to suit clients' specific artistic interests. 041/713793; 348/2699901; www.venice-art-tours.com.

Walks Inside Venice. For a host of particularly creative group and private tours—from history to art to gastronomy—check out Walks Inside Venice. The maximum group size is six people, and tour guides include people with advanced university degrees and published authors. www.walksinsidevenice.com.

Walks of Italy. The Walks of Italy company offers a selection of Venice tours, covering the city by foot and by boat, and the guides are almost unfailingly knowledgeable and friendly. Tours start at 49 euros. www.walksofitaly.com.