Gondola, Venice

The gondola as we know it today is the result of an evolution responding to the need for increased manoeuvrability and practicality. For instance, the original wooden cabin disappeared as tourism spread: the view of Venice from a gondola is so exceptional that it would be a pity to hide it from passengers. Today's issues are the wave motion and the motorboat traffic in the canals.

http://www.veniceword.com/gondola.html

Though it is quite expensive, taking the gondola is very romantic even if you are not with the love of your life. It is also a good way to see parts of Venice that you wouldn't otherwise see. I have posted a couple of links about gondola rides.

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After a day of rowing, or waiting for the customers, the gondoliers are bringing back their gondolas; here at Campo Santa Sofia on the Grand Canal facing the Mercado (photo 1 & video).
It's around 19 h and the day has been very warm with temperatures above 40°C in the sun. The Grand Canal is for them the worst part having to move between the vaporetto's, cargos, water taxis and other motoscafi. My photo 2 shows a gondola nearly pushed by a vaporetto!

They clean the seats and carefully cover the gondola with a bleu tarpaulin for the night.
In the morning the gondolas get a good wash (photo 3).

The first and last time we took a gondola, with our then young children, was nearly forty years ago. Presently we take the "traghetto", at a cost of 0,50 € per person. OK it's only for a few minutes but it is definitively a gondola.

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I confess, I'm a tourist. I wanted to take a gondola ride, but I wanted it to be special, not like a ride at an amusement park. We ventured throughout the city, enjoying the many sites and then we saw him - our gondolier. He was standing near a small bridge that spanned a small canal in a residential area of the city. He seemed very pleasant as we passed by offering up a smile and a "buona sera" as he stood, hat in hand.

We asked if he was free, asked the price and off we went. Our ride lasted about 45 minutes and took us through some very scenic areas. We eventually exited out on to the Grand Canal and made our way towards the Rialto Bridge. The perspective of looking at the bridge and surrounding buildings from the gondola was very nice. We then headed back off the grand canal and ended up where we had started.

It was enjoyable, romantic and something you can't do anywhere else. The cost was 100 Euros and though it wasn't cheap, I would have never forgiven myself if we didn't partake.

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A gondola ride in Venice is a quitessential Venetian experience not to be missed. Each gondola can sit 6 people. A 40-minute ride through the narrow canals of Venice during the day costs 80 euros per gondola so it works out to be roughly 18 euros per person. The gondolier may or may not sing, but sometimes, he may sing your favourite Neopolitan songs like Ol Sole Mio, Torna di Surriento etc.

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If you miss riding in a gondola, you will regret it when you get home. So get ready for the plunge into your wallet.
The boatman will sing for you, but don't expect Anrea Bocelli. He will tell you jokes, and he will tell you a bit of history, too.
The ride doesn't last long, but you will be comfortable. I have put in a picture of the seating.
Your guide book will tell you about visiting the place where they make gondolas. Try to see this.
Don't be afraid to bargain with the Gondoleer. Tell him you have a budget for this kind of thing. Haggle. More than likely they will lower the price.
Ask how long the ride will be, no matter whether you haggle or not.
Be sure and ask about the history of gondoleers, the color of their clothes and the gondolas, ie. where made, how long it takes to make a gondola, how long they last, and who owns it after it is finished. Ask him about the apprenticeship time and difficulty in becoming a gondoleer. He will appreciate your interest and probably give you a longer ride.
Buona Fortuna.

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The Gondola is probably the most famous italian boat in the world, and the simbol of Venice.
The gondola is conducted by a gondolier who stands facing the bow and rows with a forward stroke, followed by a compensating backward stroke.
It is hand made with an hard work. To make a tour on it is a fantastic experience but also quite expensive!

Yes, it is possible to get a gondola ride in Venice for the princely sum of just 50cent.

Ok, OK, it's not quite the romantic affair that most people have in mind, but a ride is a ride after all. Why go out for expensice sirloin steak when you can have a cheap processed burger instead ?

The tragetto is a two-man gondola service has about six routes crossing the Grand Canal. Just look for the little yellow signs as you wander about to the nearest one. These old gondolas have the canopy and all that gold and fabic ripped off them so that they can operate as a shuttle ferry service across the canal. You never have to wait for more than a couple of minutes before stepping onto the gondola for a trip across the canal. It might last less than a minute, but you have still been on a gondola. Chuck your 50 cent on the mounting pile of coins as you leave or give it directly to the gondalier.

I believe that the two gondalier on every boat rent their boat out from an owner for their shift. They are often younger gondaliers who are just starting out on their careers. A couple of years at this and they can move onto the more normal stripey jersey role. As most gondalier jobs are handed down via the family line this job represents one of the few ways in which an' outsider' may get a toehold in the industry.

Locals always stand up for the short ride, but there is nothing stopping you taking a seat. You may even be asked to if you look a bit lardy / unsteady on your feet. The gondaliers arn't going to make much money if their boat, takings and passengers end up sinking into the Venetian mud.