If you are in the Floating City for 48-hour or less this Venice in 2 days excursion will leave you feeling contently inspired. With a carefully crafted shoreside itinerary combining the real Venice with the two most famous islands in the Venetian Lagoon our Venice in 2 days excursion offers the opportunity to maximize your precious ashore time.

Designed with cruisers in mind, this carefully crafted 2-day private tour combines the best of Venice and its islands away from the crowds.  First, we will take you deep into the heart of Venice's then to the islands of Murano and Burano to learn about the age-old Venetian glassblowing and lacemaking traditions.

Day 1 Experience the Real Venice by Land & Water Private Tour (2.5-hour)

Your private cruise ship excursion begins in St. Mark's Square, Venice’s number one sight. Your guide will debrief you with a comprehensive history of Venice, followed by an explanation of the square's importance as the religious and political center of the city. This section of the tour includes an introduction to the architectural wonders of the square, such as the ornate Byzantine St. Mark's Basilica, the extravagant Doge's Palace, and the majestic Bell Tower.

From this stunning piazza, your Venetian guide will introduce you to present-day Venice and its people. You'll navigate Venice like the locals do, crossing bridges and snaking through the interconnected streets and canals. The tour continues with a visit to the commercial center of Rialto whose stunning views, outdoor market, and rows of shops have been captivating visitors for centuries.

We’ve pre-booked your gondola ride so once the walking tour is over you'll step into a gondola and begin your half-hour private ride on an authentic Venetian gondola enjoying the most evocative views of the city. As if in a dream, glide through Venice's most secluded waterways, slipping under small bridges as you appreciate how totally unique this Floating City is.

Day 2 Murano Glass & Burano Lace Private Tour (4-hour)

Murano and Burano are the top two islands to visit on day trips from Venice. Murano is famous all around the world for its glass making: it has been producing beautiful crystal since the 10th century when Venetian traders brought back the secrets of production from the East. Burano with its pastel-colored fishermen's houses is as pretty as the lace it is famous for. During your private tour, you'll learn about the age-old handcrafts that brought these little islands fame, and see quality Murano glass and Burano lace being made first-hand.

Take in panoramic views of the city as you cross its Lagoon in the comfort and privacy of your private boat and with the personalized attention of your captain and guide. As navigate on to Murano your personable guide introduces you its storied history. Here enjoy a visit to a traditional glassmaking factory, which includes furnaces and laboratories. Learn the amazing secrets of glass blowing an art passed on from father to son through the centuries. See first-hand glass being blown and fashioned into vases, glasses, and baubles.

Neighboring Burano is dedicated to more secular pursuits. Most of the island's inhabitants are fishermen and some of their wives and daughters still make the lace for which the place is famed. With its brightly-painted houses in shades of lemon, lilac, and tangerine, Burano has a more southern appearance than anywhere else on the lagoon and boasts all the charm that nets, sailcloth, and fishermen give to any port. You will have a complete tour of the island where the local lace making technique "a tombolo" will be explained. After your tour, re-board the boat to transfer back to St. Mark's Square.