Gondola Ride-Venice

Located right in the heart of Venice, Italy this city surrounds millions of canals that the gondola’s go right through. No matter what little side street you walk down you are more than likely to run into a gondola every time. These rides not only are a slow way too look at a busy city, but takes you to places that you can’t walk and see otherwise. Although this ride was more than worth it, I did have expectations that weren’t fulfilled by the drivers. It can be stereotypical to expect them signing down the canals with each other and the other boats, but that wasn’t the case when we were aboard. It would have made the experience that much more special if they had been more involved with the passengers, but we had each other to talk too instead. All of us were so stunned by the views and life-styles of the people who live in the canals that not much talking was done anyway. Since you are allowed to ride with up to six passengers per boat if you go with a group the rates are more affordable. Currently the rates before the pandemic were 80 euros for a 40 minute ride during the day and after seven at night the rates climbed up to 100 euros. After looking at these prices I did the math and for each of us from the photo above to ride the gondola it came out to around 13 euros each, but again if you were riding with less people the more expensive the trip becomes. I also know you’re probably thinking forty minutes for a boat ride might seem a little long, but it is needed for how much there is to see around you. At the end of the tour you are even brought out into the ocean and it can be a little bumpy but you are able to see important buildings as well as the city from the outside looking in. Any age is allowed on the boat, however I do recommend that if you are bringing a child on board that you might have to keep a close eye on them just incase. It is definitely less stressful of a ride if you don’t have to worry about looking after anyone else, and I think it is more worth it if you can go with a group of people as well. I’m not sure if it would be as worth a trip if I had only gone on with one other person because it can be very expensive for no reason. However, I do know how iconic these gondola rides are and I think that is partially why they charge so much for them. The amount of boats that go out each hour is pretty impressive, but the only part that managed to feel “crowded” was when we went out into the ocean at the end since everyone did the same to get back into the main port area. Otherwise there was usually only one boat in-front of us and one behind so we didn’t have to worry about them blocking our view. Since I went during the day the views were still stunning, but nothing was lit up like it probably would have been at night which is why I think they jack up the price so high after seven. Although it might be romantic to do at night I think if you want to save yourself a couple bucks going during the day makes no difference and I’ve never regretted doing it at the time I did. Overall, if you find yourself not only in Italy, but in the floating town of Venice the gondola rides with a group of people are more than worth the expense. The views and the quiet towns surrounding you are stunning as well as interesting to think that people actually still live in the buildings you’re floating next too. This was definitely another experience that I will never forget and I think it was well worth all the great reviews it continually gets each year.