I know taking a gondola ride in Venice is the most touristy thing a person can do. But it’s Venice! And they’re gondolas! I mean, if not here, where? I’ve reached the simple conclusion that if you find yourself in Venice, you have to take a gondola ride. Otherwise, can you say that you’ve really experienced Venice?
But here’s the thing: it’s not going to be the swoony romantic boat ride that tourism in Italy would have you believe. Maybe if you dole out a LOT of money you can get the suave debonair gondolier you imagine in your head, serenading you with sweet Italian love songs as you slowly drift through rippling water beneath the moonlight.
Here’s what’s more likely: you dole out a lot of money (gondola rides are pricey). You get into a gondola with strangers. Some of you have very uncomfortable seats in the middle. The sun beats down on you because most of the gondola rides are during daylight hours. You drift into the water with dozens of other gondolas and water taxis, and private boats. You’re on the main canal. It’s like a four-lane highway in water.
I did pay for a serenade, but it wasn’t a private serenade. Instead, about 10 gondolas from the same tour company went out together, across the busy highway of water where we stopped and were tethered together as a singer in one gondola sang. We heard snatches of his songs, but we were not, by any means, serenaded.
Then we were all rowed over to the smaller canals where we formed a chain of single-file gondolas as we floated through the alleys. Yes, this was picturesque. But it was also a little seedy. Our gondolier smoked a cigarette and talked on his cell phone while he paddled us. His friend walked across another boat to chat with him. We were just grateful that we didn’t get one of the gondoliers with body odor.
Still, if I had to do it all over again, I would. I feel like a gondola ride in Venice is a must. But only once. No one need ever do it twice. But definitely once. Just to say you did.
What do you imagine gondola rides to be like? Or have you taken one already?
Browsing The Atlas 
OK, not as romantic as I imagined it might be. But it probably wouldn’t stop me from doing a gondola ride if I’m in Venice. Because as you said, “when in Venice …”
I feel like there’s the potential for it to be romantic. But it would either take a lot of money, or a lot of imagination. It would have been exponentially more romantic if the gondolier would have put his cell phone away!
I kind of figured it would end up a commercialized and overly romanticized thing but I agree, if you’re in Venice as a tourist, you just gotta be the tourist. At least the first time around. 🙂
Definitely commercial. But they are so pretty. I would have kicked myself if we hadn’t done it while we were there.
I skipped the gondola ride in Venice. Maybe because the weather was nasty. But I am quite glad to have your description. (grin) Now I know what I didn’t miss. Actually I found wandering around in the back streets and getting lost to be quite romantic. –Curt
Yes, the back alleys were very romantic. Getting lost is almost inevitable.
It’s so touristy but I would have felt I missed out on part of the Venice experience if I didn’t do it.
You nailed it, Juliann! Been there, done that. Loved every minute of it, but once was enough. Hope you are well!
Haha, thanks for sharing an honest experience! I’ve never been on the gondolas in Venice, but right after we got married we rode one at the Venetian in Vegas. Much cleaner, private, and we had an amazing singer that brought tears to our eyes.
I’ll stick with that image! But I’d still try the real deal. 😉
What a wonderful post and very beautiful photos. Thank You.
Thank you!
I see. That’s a shame. Even gondolas will become commercialized..they’ll pack strangers in for the higher $$. Interesting. At least the striped shirt in the last shot is Italian. Don’t see guys wearing that in the States.
Yes. Commercialism run rampant. Still, it’s something so iconically Venetian. Do it anyway.