Confusion re: Secret Itineraries Tour Doge's Palace
 

Thanks to this forum, I want to book this tour for our trip in September. Various websites, including this forum, say the tour is 75 mins long. However, when I went to book on line (English version) for the 9:55am, it listed it from 9:55am-10:25am. Surely this can't be right? Has anyone taken this tour recently and know how long it approximately lasted? I know I could call them from the States, but was wondering if anyone could give me advice here. Thanks

We just took the tour in March and it is about 75 minutes. By the way I recommend you come about an hour early (or however much time you want) and walk around the other parts of the Doge's Palace and then do the Secret Itinieraries Tour. We did it the other way around, and think it is better to do the tour last.

We did it in May, and it was about 75 minutes long.

I like the idea suggested about doing the Secret Itineraries tour after you have looked around already - wish we had thought of that and done it!

Thank you both for such prompt and good advice. It would be great to walk around the Palace first. Did you book your tickets online? When you get your tickets (rather online or in person), do you have to pay more to enter the Palace an hour ahead of time? Also, do we need to do a guided tour of the entire Palace (other parts that aren't on secret itin.tour) or is looking around sufficient enough? We're only wanting to learn the main facts/interesting aspects so I figure 2 different tours wouldn't be necessary? We're also doing the Venice in a Day Tour with tours-italy.com. Have any of you done that tour?

ttt

Hi K,

You get your reservations for the Tour by calling 011 39 041 520 9070.

When you arrive, you buy your tour ticket. You get to wander the rest of the palace for free.

((I))

Kelly_A - We took the Secret Itineraries tour last week and it lasted about 75 minutes. We then toured the rest of the public rooms of the Palace on our own. The Secret Itineraries gives you enough of a sense of the main facts/interesting aspects that you can enjoy the remainder of the Palace on your own. I had difficulty trying to book on line, so I e-mailed our hotel ahead of time and they graciously took care of the reservations for us before we arrived.

We also e-mailed our hotel and had them make the reservations. You would not need another tour of the Doge's Palace. Any information from the Secret Itin. tour plus your Venice walking tour should provide the information you are seeking.

For the rooms that are not included in the SI (most of the palace) an audio guide is available.