City Essentials: First Day • 3 hours 4.8 (12)

Kickstart your trip to Venice

The Vaporetto No. 1 is the most scenic boar ride in Venice. To avoid the crowds take the ride in the evening.

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • Help get your bearings in the city with a local guide to show you the way and point things out
  • Receive valuable insider tips on how to get around and what to do during the rest of your trip
  • Soak up the ineffable energy of Venice as you wander the Rio Marin area and discover hidden gem Basilica dei Frari
  • See must-see sights like Rialto bridge and the beautiful Grand Canal
  • Finish up at Campo Santa Margherita - where a lively scene and a spritz, await you

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

3 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

Private and personalized experience
3 hours with a host
Crossing of the Grand Canal by fast gondola
Walking experience (other transport can be arranged at an additional cost)

What’s not included

Additional food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Additional transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

Your hotel/apartment or any other central location

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

In three hours, you’ll get your bearings in this exquisite floating city. From an overview of the main areas to how to get around, and even a chance to catch a gondola crossing at Santa Maria del Giglio, complete with amazing views overlooking Madonna della Salute, this is the ideal experience to help prompt your love affair with this city of masks. Venice is a photograph waiting at every turn, follow your guide into picturesque campi and bacari standing bars, where the locals socialize over their lunch break. In this prime orientation of Venice, feel free to ask your guide questions as they share tips of where to head next and happily pass on their local knowledge of some of the most-loved secret spots, ready and waiting for you.

 

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories

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What travelers think of this experience

Ronnie, Dec 2024

Our guide was engaging and knowledgeable and made our time together worth every penny of the cost. She patiently answered our questions and made sure that she was responsive to our interests. Bravo!!!

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Robin, Oct 2024

We booked a private tour via City Unscripted.it was worth every penny. Our guide,Benedetta tailored our tour perfectly, based on our answers to the questionnaire the company sent us at the time of booking. Benedetta was on time, friendly and spoke excellent English. She was able to answer all our myriad questions about the city and its history. She was a fount of knowledge and made the experience all the more enjoyable. We always book private tours in cities we have not visited before as you get a much more intimate view of the place and although it is generally a more expensive option, you get your money’s worth.

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Robin, Oct 2024

Our guide was on time, spoke excellent English and was extremely knowledgeable about the city. She tailored the tour perfectly to fit in with our requests.

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Virginia, Sep 2024

Great walking tour of Venice. Daniel did a good job of personalizing our experience. He had a great knowledge of the city and was kind enough to pick up at our hotel.

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Carey, Mar 2024

Maria was excellent. She was very helpful, and reached out before and after to answer all our questions. We had her private contact information and felt like we had a friend in a foreign city.

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Elvira, Sep 2023

Never did a tour like this and didn’t know what to expect but was really happy we booked with Roberto. If I could have I would have traversed Venice with Roberto our whole time here. He was informative but it was clear he loves Venice and wants you to see it through a local Venetian eyes. Thank you for the additional advice on where to go off the beaten path.

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