Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Because you might get a narration plus conversation with your gondolier, talk with sev-
eral and choose one you like. You're welcome to review the map and discuss the route. Do-
ing so is also a good way to see if you enjoy the gondolier's personality and language skills.
Establish the price, route, and duration of the trip before boarding, enjoy your ride, and pay
only when you're finished. While prices are pretty firm, you might find them softer during
the day. Most gondoliers honor the official prices, but a few might try to scam you out of
some extra euros, particularly by insisting on a tip.
Ifyou'vehired musicians andwant tohear aVenetian song
(uncanto Veneziano),
tryre-
questing
“VeneziaLaLunaeTu.”
Askingtohear
“OSoleMio”
(whichcomesfromNaples)
is like asking a lounge singer in Cleveland to sing “The Eyes of Texas.”
GlidethroughnighttimeVenicewithyourheadonsomeone'sshoulder.Followthemoon
as it sails past otherwise unseen buildings. Silhouettes gaze down from bridges while win-
dow glitter spills onto the black water. You're anonymous in the city of masks, as the
rhythmic thrust of your striped-shirted gondolier turns old crows into songbirds. This is ex-
tremely relaxing (and, I think, worth the extra cost to experience at night). Suggestion: Put
the camera down and make a point for you and your partner to enjoy a threesome with
Venice. Warning: Women, beware...while gondoliers can be extremely charming, local wo-
men saythat anyone whofalls foroneofthese Venetian Romeos “has slices ofham overher
eyes.”
Forcheapgondolathrillsduringtheday,sticktothe€2one-minuteferryrideonaGrand
Canal
traghetto.
Atnight,
vaporetti
arenearlyempty,andit'sagreattimetocruisetheGrand
Canal on the slow boat #1. Or hang out on a bridge along the gondola route and wave at
romantics.
You must experience Venice after dark. The city is quiet at night, as tour groups stay in
the cheaper hotels of Mestre on the mainland, and the masses of day-trippers return to their
beach resorts and cruise ships. Gondolas cost more, but are worth the extra expense (de-
scribedearlier).Atnight,
vaporetti
arenearlyempty,andit'sagreattimetocruisetheGrand
Canal on the slow boat #1.
Venice has a busy schedule of events, church concerts, festivals, and entertainment.
Check at the TI or the TI's website (
www.turismovenezia.it
)
for listings. The free monthly
Un Ospite di Venezia
lists all the latest happenings in English (free at fancy hotels, or check
