Doge palace tour
 

Can anyone tell me how to find good walking tours in Venice? We are flying on free miles and have already booked hotel on our own, so agencies in US won't help us. I'm very impressed by what I've read so far from the Fodor's group. Thanks.

The best part of Venice is just wandering through the streets. The islands are small and you really can't get lost. My advice is to take a day to relax, walk slowly and enjoy some gelato along the way and finish with drinks in St. Mark's Square. You can go to Doge's, St. Marks,etc and see the "sites" on another day.

I think that you are interested in the Secret Itineraries tour of Doge?s palace

Phone number is 011 39 041 520 9070.

The secret itineraries tour can be booked by your hotel in advance if you tell them when you want to go. There are I think 2 English tours a day. You can also take a chance and walk over when you're ready and see if there's room.

If you're interested in the Jewish Ghetto area, there's a tour at the museum. Make sure to take the tour. Without it you get to see very little as you must be with a guide to go inside most of the buildings.

American Express offers a walking tour but as others have said, part of the fun of Venice is just wandering yourself and discovering things on your own.

Here are some previous threads on walking tours in Venice that mention a few other tours but not necessarily first hand recos

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34511786

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34484358

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34478655

We've just come back from venice. Enjoyed the secret itenerary tour. Make sure you get there a little early since you need to get the ticket first before getting to the waiting area of the tour. We used Rick Steves' book for walking from San Marco to Rialto to Frari church. On the route, we passed a lot of little shops, some with reasonable prices for glassware and beaded necklace. We also recommend the gondola serenade offered by american express. You have to walk in their office to book it, 35 per person. It was so romantic to listen to the songs and music while navigating the narrow canal.

St Paul,
Here are two additional sites for walking tours of Venice.

www.tours-italy.com/venice
www.walkinsidevenice.com

Opps....bottom site is:

www.walksinsidevenice.com

Hi Paul,

Have you looked at the miniguide to Venice at www.fodors.com?