Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tours
To get to know Venice from the inside out, first you have to see the lagoon city as
Venetians have for a millennium - by water - then dive into the calli (lanes) and
ascend secret staircases for glimpses of Venetian life behind the scenes and
above the fray.
NEED TO KNOW
»
Accessibility
The city has its own official nonprofit
Accessible Venice
Initiative, which provides barrier-free
itineraries created by Venetians for visitors. For a list of tour operators experienced in organising tours for travellers
with disabilities, contact
Accessible Italy
(
Click here
).
»
Children
Some historic sights and boats may not be not child-safe, and minimum age restrictions may apply;
ask before reserving.
Tours on Water
The following outings offer maritime adventures on traditional Venetian boats. Reserve
ahead, bring sunscreen and check weather forecasts, since trips are subject to climatic con-
ditions.
Rowing
Learn to row, row, row your boat as
gondolieri
do with Row Venice (
Click here
). Find
your footing on the sparkling lagoon as Olympic-trained rowing coach Jane Caporal and
her team of women rowers show you how to propel a handcrafted Venetian
sandolo
(flat-
bottomed boat) standing up, using a single oar. Glide past Venice's island cemetery, pause
for a picnic (book ahead), and hop up on the
poppa
(stern) to row standing and singing,
gondolier-style.
Sailing
Laguna Eco Adventures (
Click here
) lets you sail away into the lagoon blue in a tradition-
al Venetian sailing
bragozzo
(barge) or a slim
sanpierota
(twin-sail boat), small enough to
slip into canals. Many of their traditional wooden boats accommodate five people maxim-
