Description
A private gondola ride in Venice means the boat is yours alone, shared with nobody outside your own group. It lasts 30 minutes and starts at Rio dell'Orso, in the San Marco district near Campo Santo Stefano, an easy walk from many of the city's main sights.
Your gondolier first steers toward the Grand Canal and passes beneath the Accademia Bridge. After crossing the canal, the gondola slips into the narrower waterways of Dorsoduro, a district known for its artistic feel, historic palaces and hidden corners. Away from the busiest areas, the small rii give a very different view of the city.
Along the way the route includes:
- the Grand Canal and the Accademia Bridge
- the canals of Dorsoduro
- the Squero di San Trovaso, the boatyard where gondolas are built and repaired by hand
Conditions and the route permitting, you may pass the squero on the way. The ride suits couples, families and groups of friends who want something more personal than a standard gondola trip, and there are plenty of chances for photos of canals, bridges and old buildings. Hotel pickup and gratuities are not included, and the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.