08 Sep 2025
Our "tour" began with a conga line of tourists dutifully following a guide waving a barely-visible fish flag through the most congested part of town. If you squinted, you could see a fin bobbing above a sea of humanity. The tour of the basilica was a whirlwind romance: we were in and out before we could even break a sweat—oh wait, we were already sweating.
Next up was the Doge's Palace. Pro tip: Shell out for the upgrade! Our guide, bless her heart, gave us a masterclass in what was behind every single door we weren't allowed to go through. It was like being at a five-star restaurant and the chef just describes all the amazing food they're cooking for other people. The Doge's Palace is gorgeous, and you can't miss it, but for $300, this tour was more "disenchanted" than "enchanted."