HOW TO ENJOY VENICE FROM THE WATER?
THE KEY TO ENJOY VENICE FROM THE WATER
Venice was built on 124 little islands in the middle of the largest lagoon in Italy. In the city there are 178 canals, the main avenue is a 3 kilometers long canal and there are no cars. What’s the best way to move around in the city? By boat, of course!
WHICH IS THE BEST TYPE OF BOAT? AND HOW DO YOU TAKE A BOAT IN VENICE?
Let’s see it together!
VAPORETTO
As soon as you reach Venice you’ll have the chance to get a vaporetto to reach your hotel. The vaporetto is a Venetian bus, let’s call it waterbus. It’s our public transport, it’s neather cheap nor expensive, very useful to move around in Venice. Get to know everything you need on the public transport in Venice.
GONDOLA
The most famous boat of the Venetian lagoon is surely the gondola. Is it worth taking a gondola ride in Venice? It’s certainly shamelessly touristy and it can be expensive, still it is the most romantic and iconic thing to do in Venice, isn’t it? I personally love gliding on the Grand Canal in an elegant gondola, it’s the best way to see Venice majestic palaces, quietly and slowly, and it makes you feel part of the ancient history of the city. That’s why I’d highly recommend taking the time to enjoy a gondola ride while in Venice. Do you want to know the best place to do it? Check our post link link valido se mandiamo il post gondola prima di questo
SANDOLO
A great alternative to the gondola ride could be taking a sandolo: it’s a traditional Venetian wooden boat, originally used as a fishing or transport boat, it’s now used also to ride peolple through the narrow Venetian canals. The sandolo is black and extremely elegant which makes it not that easy to distinguish it from a gondola.
What’s the main difference between a gondola and a sandolo? You just have to look at their prows: where the gondola has a big ornate steel piece shaped like an “S”, the sandolo has a small elegant curled steel piece.
You want to have a very special experience? Go have your sandolo ride in the Venetian Jewish Ghetto: there you will find Chiara eager to show you around. She is the only woman sandolista in the whole city, speaks perfect English and takes superlative care of her guests.
KAYAK
You feel bold and adventurous today? Get a kayak and explore the lagoon! There are many companies offering kayak and paddle tours in Venice. While I would not recommend doing it in the busy canals of the city, it might be fun to go and explore the Venetian lagoon that surrounds the city, make sure you have a professional with you, the lagoon is not very deep yet it can be challenging!
Vaporettos, gondolas, sandolos… there are so many ways to visit Venice by boat. Pick the one that suits you best and enjoy!
Elena Cattafi
St. Mark to Rialto, first walk in Venice
Duration: 3 hours (optional 2 hours)
Venues to visit: external walk in St. Mark’s Square, with Basilica and Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge and marketplace
A tour through the authentic Venice an off the beaten path walk far from the tourist crowd
Duration: 3 hours (optional 2 hours)
Venues: hidden places, genuine Venice views, real venetian life experiences
Gondola ride with a private guide:
A lovely water tour with a local guide on board
Duration: about 1 hour (half hour gondola ride plus hotel transfer)
Areas covered by the tour: little secret venetian canals
Pick up: customized location and schedule
Internal visit of the St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace
Duration: 3 hours
Meeting point: St. Mark
A walking + boat combined tour
First time in Venice or Off the beaten walk tours plus 1 hour boat cruise
Places to visit: Grand Canal and little canals
The top excursion to the most famous islands of the lagoon of Venice, glass, lace, cookies and landscapes.
We go where venetians go, on a pre dinner walk to get fun and satisfy the will of tasting genuine food and drink in a local way.
Early morning tour of Venice, possibility to see the Sunrise on the lagoon, the people are still sleeping so nobody is walking around, the coolest temperature in summer
Duration 2 or 3 hours
Full day excursion on the hilly region around Venice, focusing on the Prosecco wineries an exciting culinary adventure through the stunning Prosecco region, picturesque vineyards and rolling hills from Valdobbiadene to Conegliano.
From/to Airport, Train Station, Cruise Terminal, Bus Terminal, Hotel/Apartment