Private tour in Venice Donatella B

Venice Grand Canal - Express Tour on a Private Boat

5.0

(6) reviews

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Hours icon 3 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 3 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Donatella B.

5.0

Guide rating

11

Reviews

Tours delivered

7 hrs

Avg. response time

CIAO! My name is Donatella and I was born and raised in Venice. I come from deeply rooted Venetian families. Since I was little, my passion for Languages, History, Art and Music have helped me become who I am today. I intended to become a teacher, getting my Degree in Literature and Foreing Languages from Ca' Foscari University. Nevertheless, the love for my city and my desire to communicate led me elsewhere. Therefore I took the chance to work as a Tour Leader and I soon joined a British company running the VSOE (Venice Simplon Orient Express) Train. Several years later, the magic call of my city pushed me to and through tough studies and tests to become a Licensed and Official Tour Guide, and now here I am, surrounded by beauty and people from all over the world! As I keep saying to my guests, you can either love or hate Venice, but my first goal, and one of my reasons to live, is to help you understand and appreciate its richness, grandness and challenges. You would then be able to experience it as a local and as such, you cannot help yourself from loving it deeply. I will share my passion with anyone willing to follow me through the well-known Highlights as well as the less-known places. Master Degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures from Venice University Ca' Foscari ( Dissertation Thesis on E.M. Forster's Short Stories) Tour Leader Certification Year 1985 TESOL Certificate Year 1990 Tour Guide Certification Year 2006/2007 in English and French If my calendar seems full, don’t hesitate to contact me anyway. I may still be able to accommodate you. I can organize private transportation by private car and driver or by private boat. Please note that I provide pick-up and drop-off at the hotel only through the driver. I will meet you directly at the designated meeting point. For easy communication on the day of the tour, I suggest downloading WhatsApp on your smartphone.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Donatella B.

Overview of your Venice tour

For those coming to Venice for the first time, this tour would be a perfect introduction to the City built on water! By a private motor launch, you will enjoy the most amazing and unique street in the world: The Grand Canal, with its magnificent palaces and dwellings of the wealthiest and oldest Venetian families. From its churches, public buildings, and bridges to the views of the Doge's Palace and the famous Bridge of Sighs. The motor launch will also take us through the small canals where you will admire their peculiar corners and masterpieces. This tour will be like sailing around the several islands the city had been built upon! What are you waiting for? Rely on the experience of a certified local guide to explore Venice! Note: The dress code for men and women when visiting Churches requires shoulders and knees to be covered. Shorts and skirts are permitted but below the knees or at knee level. Comfy shoes are suggested too!

Recent Reviews

Kristen P.United States
June 2026

Donatella was a pleasure to be with. She was flexible and easy going as we made changes to our original planned tour. Donatella was very knowledgeable and very kind. We learned a lot on her tour and would highly reccomend her to others.

Kristen B.United States
August 2025

Donatella was such a great guide! She had wonderful knowledge of Venice and of all the historical events that made the great city what it is today. In addition, she found things of interest to my teenage girls - they said they loved the tour (not an easy thing to do!). Truly a special experience - thank you Donatella!!

Joan B.United States
July 2024

Donatella B. Was a wonderful ambassador for TBL! She shared her knowledge and was delightful company. The tour went off without a hitch; I would wholeheartedly recommend her to others. Thank you, Donatella

Bea D.United States
June 2024

My husband and adult daughter and I had a wonderful tour with Donatella yesterday. She was very helpful and responsive to messages. We needed to store my daughter’s luggage before tour as she was catching a train afterwards and Donatella helped us locate a place and took us there before the tour. She was very insightful on the history of Venice and answered all of our questions. Definitely recommend this tour!

Your Venice tour itinerary

Once we've gathered, we will get on board our boat: ·From there, we'll set sail and pass by the following places from the water: - Santa Maria della Salute - Peggy Guggenheim's Palace - Accademia Bridge - Ca' Rezzonico Palace - Grassi Palace After seeing the aforementioned palaces, we'll continue sailing, passing by: - Fondaco dei Tedeschi - Rialto Market - Fondaco dei Turchi - Jewish district - Madonna dell'Orto Church - The Venetian Shipyard Arsenale ·The boat tour ends by St Mark's Square, from where we'll continue with a stroll of the best known paths and through the short-cuts only known by Venetians like myself. ·Once on foot, we will cross St. Mark's Square towards the Bridge of Sighs. ·Next, we'll pass by Doge's Palace and its prisons to finally arrive at the Rialto Bridge, our last stop. The itinerary can be customized according to your needs and requests.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Boat

-Private Water Taxi (1 hour) -Walking Tour -I suggest bringing a bottle of water and to wear comfortable shoes -During the summer, be sure not to forget a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses -During the winter, be sure not to forget a raincoat or small umbrella If you are more than 5 pax, please contact me for a customized tour and quotation.

What's included
Private Guide
Private Transportation
Private Transportation With Driver
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Venice, Veneto, Italy

at your hotel/accommodation if it is located in Venice. Are you a cruiser? Please contact me to customize the tour.

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Boat
Architecture
Art And Culture
History
City Highlights
Tour reference number
1272821
Languages
English
French
Italian
Activity level
Moderate
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Venice best suited for?

This private tour in Venice is perfect for first-time visitors who want an introduction to the city built on water. It's also ideal for those who wish to explore Venice with a certified local guide like Donatella B., who can offer deeper insights into the city's history and culture. The tour is kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible, making it suitable for families and travellers with mobility concerns.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Venice be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

Is this private tour in Venice suitable for cruise ship passengers as a shore excursion?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 3 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 3 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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