Planning a trip to Venice for my parents and I (and possibly my SO) for September 2016.

Parents have been there before, but were on a river cruise, and doing a lot of day trips to the surrounding areas.

We're looking for private tour guides for museums/churches, per parents request. They want someone who can 'get them in to St. Marks at night' as they did this with their river cruise and want to do it again. Any ideas other than emailing a multitude of guides on trip advisor?

They're also wanting to stay at the Danieli, which seems crazy at over 1000EUR/night- is this insane, or just what we'll need to pay to be in Venice?

Do they mean getting into the Basilica at night? good luck with that.

Here's the website with their opening hours:

http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/WAI/e...erne/orari.bsm

I had a look at the website for context venice [a well known and highly thought of guiding business] and i can't find any suggestions that they offer that but there would be no harm in asking them:

http://www.contexttravel.com/city/ve...e=3&pw=private

As for the Danielli, IMHO it is positively certifiable to want to spend €1000+ a night in a hotel even in Venice but there may be some here who can give you a steer as to equally luxurious but less pricey accommodation. You certainly don't NEED to spend that, but there's nothing stopping your parents from doing so if they wish.

Maybe the Basilica? They've already been at night, so it is possible, just not sure how to arrange it themselves.

Yes, some suggestions for Danieli-esqe hotels would be lovely. I've read about a few but it's hard to really know from guidebooks. I realize there is nothing wrong with that, but I'd like to have some back ups to present.

easy to arrange going into the Basilica - you turn up at the front, [without any large bags or backpacks or you'll have to put them in the cloakroom] and just walk in. I've never heard of amyone going in at night [doesn't mean it can't happen] but I don't know why it's an advantage - it's pretty dark in their anyway unless you hit it lucky and arrive when the lights are on to illuminate the mosaics.

you may just have to e-mail context and other guide firms to see if they offer it.

other top Venice hotels are the Gritti, the Bauer, the Westin, the Cipriani.

try putting your dates into Trip advisor and seeing what comes up - you may find that you don't need to spend €1000/night to stay at the Danielli or its equivalent.

The rather nasty characterization of people who feel it is perfectly acceptable to spend more money than you do on hotel rooms speaks volumns.

Dukey - the OP says herself that she thinks it's crazy to think of paying €1000 a night at the Danielli and I was agreeing with her. And where is this nasty characterisation to which you refer? I simply said that it was certifiable to think of doing so. in fact, afterwards I looked on TA and found that you could stay there for as little as £250 a night on some dates, which reinforces my point.

In any case the OP didn't take offence, I wonder why you do?

Check with the private tour guides through Walks Inside Venice (http://www.walksinsidevenice.com/who-we-are.php)

The Danieli is essentially a palace - and is priced that way - as are similar hotels in Venice. If you are willing to go for an upscale but not quite SO luxurious place you can find very pleasant hotels for considerably less.

We love the Danieli - and have stayed a couple of times for special events - but we got at special reduced corporate rates.

Thanks all for the help.

In regards to going in at night- yes the lights were on, and apparently it was spectacular, plus you know there were only 10 people with them apparently, so easier to move around (they said it was jammed during the day)

Annhig- I wasn't offended by your suggestions, not sure why Dukey does. Happy for your suggestions!

needmorevacation - glad you didn't take offence, none was intended.

I've heard of private tours of the Vatican Museums, and possibly the Uffizi, but San Marco was a new one on me. if you can't organise it again, a good way of getting there before the hordes is to get there early; in September you might also want to book a slot [still free but you don't have to queue]. An alternative is to attend a service [see the website above] - to enter for a service you need the north door.

Hope that you find a hotel that you all like at a price that doesn't bring tears to the eyes!

The rather nasty characterization of people who feel it is perfectly acceptable to spend more money than you do on hotel rooms speaks volumns.>

I too am perplexed at this nasty statement in and of itself - and anyone ever using 'nasty' and annhig in the same context is just nasty themselves by insulting without any cause one of Fodor's most polite and considerate Fodorite IME.

oh, Pal - i don't want to be thought of as too nice.

annhig - since you are a barrister I believe (please correct me if not) you probably have never been accused of 'being too nice'!

I've frequently been accused of being the opposite, pal, but I don't often try to give offence on fodors.

Thanks for the tip on booking and skipping the queue! (I did not take offense to this either, just in case anyone was wondering...) Also about going in for a service, lifetime as a catholic plus a semester of italian a few years ago and I should know exactly what's going on! (Kidding!)

Needmore - we aren't catholics [not now religious though brought up CoE] but we managed to follow the Easter Sunday service with little difficulty. with your background it should be a doddle. Just look as if you know what you doing when you turn up to enter by the north door and get there at least 10 mins in advance.