A Photomontage of a Gondola Ride through Venice
We were tired after almost two days of non-stop walking. It was Venice so much of that time was spent lost looking at paper maps and pillaging enough free Wifi to pinpoint our location on Google Maps. Surprisingly, we managed not to argue in these moments of frustration. We had been warned about Venice and instead laughed as other tourists resolved that street signs do not exist in the maze that is Venice.
Then it came. Our first “misunderstanding.” We were headed back to the hotel (we hoped) with a couple of hours to kill before dinnertime. What to do? In pure female fashion, Mrs. G. barked out two orders – take a gondola ride and bring a bottle of Prosecco back to the room so we could relax before dinner. Unable to do two things simultaneously (I’m good, but not that good), I figured she preferred the Prosecco in the room since it was the second order. Plus, we still had tomorrow for the gondola ride.
With tunnel vision on, I headed towards a wine shop we passed earlier. I chose wrong. After a while, I realized that I was walking alone and turned to find Mrs. G. a block away throwing a childlike temper tantrum. (Yes, I will catch hell for this post) Arms were flailing. Feet were stomping. Profanities were flying. Fingers were pointing toward a gondola stand. She would have made The Amazing Race proud. Like a parent disciplining a child, I quickly pulled her to the side to avoid embarrassment by her public tirade. Level headed, I talked her through the situation and asked which of the two activities she would prefer as we couldn’t do both. As the loving husband that I am, I wanted what she wanted. With tearful puppy-dog eyes she settled on the gondola ride.
I commandeered a gondolier and off we were on what turned out to be the most romantic and amazing experience in all of our Venetian adventure. Immediately, our tempers resided as we kicked our feet up and let the gondola rock as back and forth. The water splashing against the paddle was a soft lullaby as our gondolier drifted us through the canals of Venice. We took in the architecture, the bridges, the other gondolas, and even peaked into the Grand Canal for a glimpse of Rialta Bridge. Our guide told jokes and serenaded us in Italian while the sun began to set over the smooth waters of the canals Once again, I was reminded why we were on vacation – to above all else relax and enjoy each other’s company. That there was no room for bickering. Just experiencing. What follows is a photomontage of just that. (Oh, and we still stopped for that bottle of Prosecco on the way back to the hotel)
A gondola ride is a must in Venice. But be warned, like everything else in Venice, they don’t come cheap. 80 Euros will score you a 50 minute ride. While that sounds expensive, remember that is a per boat fee and not a per passenger fee. Scrounge up some friends and enjoy the ride together! Maybe even bring a bottle of Prosecco along for the ride…
Our gondola ride came every morning at 7:00 a.m. – outside our hotel window. Volare’ was serenaded to us each morning, same time, same song. It was quite romantic!
You took a ride every morning. You must have some coin! Wish we did one more in a different part of town.
Lovely photos! Hope you picked up a second bottle to calm Mrs G down with after she read this!!
You should have seen her reading the post. She was quiet and then an eruption of laughter. Perhaps I embellished a little? 🙂
I was wondering if you were allowed to booze on the ride! Sounds amazing! Living in Vegas for 3-years I always wanted to do one there but the lines were always too long. What was the wait like in the real Venice?? obviously, not long?
There are gondola stands literally everywhere. We didn’t see any lines. You just walked up and hopped on the first gondola available. And I didn’t include this in my post, but the cost is the same no matter what stand you go to. The gondoliers are unionized so the rate is the rate.