With its lavish interiors and opulent architecture, the Doge's Palace represents all the wealth and power that Venice enjoyed through the centuries. On this guided visit, get an up-close look at the gilded suites and stunning artwork that fill the palace, and skip the entrance line to get your tour started right away.

Meet up with your guide and walk across the Piazza San Marco to the grand, Gothic Palazzo Ducale, the seat of Venice's government beginning in the ninth century. Admire the stone and marble facade, grab a headset to better hear your guide, and then skip the lines to start your visit.

Listen to your guide describe the symbolism of the carvings, maps, and frescoes that adorn the walls as you climb the stairs to the Doge's apartments, checking out lavish decor and paintings by Venetian masters like Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto.

Cross over to the prison via the Bridge of Sighs, so named because it offered wistful prisoners their last glimpse of Venice's beautiful lagoon before they descended into the dungeons. Visit the old prison first, to see the cells that Casanova famously escaped from, and hear intriguing tales about the criminals once housed in the dark dungeon beside the glittering palace before your tour comes to a close.