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Channels and salt marshes of the Venetian lagoon seen from above

PRIVATE TOUR · VENETIAN LAGOON

Treasures & Nature

San Francesco del Deserto, Torcello and Sant’Erasmo.

AVAILABILITY
Duration
4 hours
Your group
Venetian Boat: up to 5 guests
Experience
Private boat
Private guide
Included

THE EXPERIENCE

Quiet islands and lagoon gardens.

Treasures & Nature is a four-hour private tour of San Francesco del Deserto, Torcello and Sant’Erasmo, with a private guide included throughout the experience. Begin at the Franciscan monastery on San Francesco del Deserto, then discover Torcello’s heritage and Sant’Erasmo’s agricultural landscapes. A welcome drink is provided on boarding.

Photographs illustrate the places and traditions of the tour. Workshops and the assigned boat may vary.

YOUR TOUR, YOUR BOAT

Your tour boat.

This tour operates exclusively with the Venetian Boat, for up to 5 guests. The price is for the whole private group. Base fare for 1–5 guests, with no supplement for the fifth guest. Private guide: Included.

White Venetian Boat with a blue stripe, outboard motor and central helm, moored beside a wooden landing

Venetian Boat

Up to 5 guests

650 €per group · 1–5 guests

Base fare for 1–5 guests, with no supplement for the fifth guest.

The Venetian Boat remains at your disposal for all the booked tour hours, including stops. You can agree additional stops or route changes within the booked duration.

Welcome drink included with the Venetian Boat

Private guide: Included

BOOK VENETIAN BOAT

The guide does not use a guest place and is not counted when calculating additional-guest supplements.

Venetian Boat, a closer look.

White Venetian Boat with a blue stripe, outboard motor and central helm, moored beside a wooden landing
Venetian Boat · at the mooring
Venetian Boat seen from the stern, showing the outboard motor, ladder, seating and open white canopy
View from the stern
White stern seating and central steering console of the Venetian Boat, viewed from above
Seating and helm
Interior of the Venetian Boat from bow to stern, with white cushions and an open canopy above the helm
On-board space and canopy
Bow area of the Venetian Boat with white cushions and handrails, viewed from the steering position
The bow area

Check dates, extras and the total before confirming. An availability enquiry does not confirm a booking.

STOP BY STOP

Your itinerary.

The monastery is closed to visitors on Mondays. A Franciscan friar leads the interior visit, lasting around 40 minutes; a monastery donation is optional and not included. Access to Torcello’s monuments and Sant’Erasmo’s attractions depends on opening arrangements and should be agreed before departure.

Lagoon map with the illustrative route: Venice → San Francesco del Deserto → Torcello → Sant’Erasmo → Venice.

Your route through the lagoon

  1. Venice
  2. San Francesco del Deserto
  3. Torcello
  4. Sant’Erasmo
  5. Venice

Illustrative map. The boarding point and actual sailing route are agreed for your tour.

Open the full-size map ↗© OpenStreetMap contributors

  1. San Francesco del Deserto · the monastery

    The island is home to a 13th-century Franciscan monastery surrounded by nature. A friar leads the interior visit, lasting around 40 minutes and including the cloister, church and part of the garden. The monastery is closed to visitors on Mondays. A voluntary donation is welcome and separate from the tour price.

  2. Torcello · basilica, bell tower and museum

    The second stop is Torcello. Visits to the island’s basilica, bell tower and museum can be arranged on request, checking opening times and admission conditions before departure.

  3. Sant’Erasmo · the garden of the lagoon

    Explore vegetable plots, orchards and vineyards alongside salt marshes, brackish channels and stretches of beach. The island is also home to the Torre Massimiliana, a 19th-century Austrian fortification, and Cristo Re church. Any visits depend on opening arrangements.

  4. Return to Venice

    Return to the agreed point by private boat. Stops and cruising are included within the four-hour tour.

IN YOUR TOUR

What is included.

  • Private boat at your disposal for all 4 hours
  • Welcome drink on boarding
  • Private guide throughout the experience
  • Route through San Francesco del Deserto, Torcello and Sant’Erasmo

PLEASE CONSIDER

Extras & personal expenses.

  • Personal purchases during stops
  • Optional donation to the monastery
  • Admissions not listed as included

PLAN YOUR DEPARTURE

Practical information.

San Francesco del Deserto: visiting times

Visits Tuesday to Sunday, starting at 9:00, 9:45, 10:30, 15:00, 15:45 and 16:30. Closed on Mondays; the friars may announce additional closures.

The convent can only be visited with a friar. The visit lasts about 40 minutes and includes the cloister, church and part of the garden. Please arrive on time. Groups must book; reservations open two months before the visit. There is no admission ticket; voluntary donations are welcome. This tour stop is subject to visit availability.

Visiting times and conditions on the convent’s official website

Meeting point

For lagoon tours, you can select San Zaccaria, Ponte Valeria Solesin, Sant’Alvise, San Giobbe or Fondamente Nove when booking. For Giudecca or other requirements, contact us before booking. The exact meeting point and time are confirmed for your booking.

What to bring

For island walks, we recommend comfortable shoes. Dress for the season and the breeze on the water; bring sunglasses and sun protection on sunny days.

Cancellation

Cancel at least 48 hours before the service starts for a full refund. Cancellations within 48 hours incur a charge of 100% of the cost.

FAQ

Before you step on board.

Answers to help you plan your tour. Contact us before booking to discuss mobility needs, children or a particular itinerary.

LET’S TALK
How long is the tour and how many guests can join?

Treasures & Nature · 4 hours. Venetian Boat: up to 5 guests. The guide does not use a guest place and is not counted when calculating additional-guest supplements. The duration includes cruising and stops.

Is a private guide included?

Yes. Treasures & Nature includes a private guide for the experience. When available, the visit inside the monastery is led by a friar. An optional monastery donation is not included.

Where do we meet?

For lagoon tours, you can select San Zaccaria, Ponte Valeria Solesin, Sant’Alvise, San Giobbe or Fondamente Nove when booking. For Giudecca or other requirements, contact us before booking. The exact meeting point and time are confirmed for your booking.

What are the cancellation conditions?

Cancel at least 48 hours before the service starts for a full refund. Cancellations within 48 hours incur a charge of 100% of the cost.

Are the tours suitable for children?

Yes, private tours are suitable for families. Life jackets are available on board and the route can be adapted to your group. Tell us the number and ages of children when planning your experience.

Do tours run when it rains?

Cruising conditions and the route must be checked according to the weather and your chosen boat. In rain or cooler weather, ask us about the boat’s shelter and facilities. For particularly adverse conditions, contact us to check whether the service can operate.

How can I check boat accessibility?

Contact us before booking and describe your mobility needs and any aids you use. We will check the boat, boarding point and stops with you. Access conditions can differ between boats and itineraries.

How does the visit to San Francesco del Deserto monastery work?

A Franciscan friar leads the interior visit, lasting around 40 minutes and including the cloister, church and part of the garden. The monastery is closed to visitors on Mondays. The tour’s private guide is included in the price; a donation to the friar and monastery is voluntary and not included.

How is the boat used during the tour?

The Venetian Boat remains at your disposal for all the booked tour hours, including stops. You can agree additional stops or route changes within the booked duration.

Which boat is provided and how is the price calculated?

This tour operates exclusively with the Venetian Boat, for up to 5 guests. The price is for the whole private group. Base fare for 1–5 guests, with no supplement for the fifth guest. Private guide: Included. The guide does not use a guest place and is not counted when calculating additional-guest supplements.

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from 650 €

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