Taking a Gondola Ride in Venice is a common travel bucket list item and it was definitely on mine! On our first full day we took a really short gondola ride just to cross a channel because it was the fastest way to get where we were going. It was short and really fun, especially for my son.
Even though it was a short ride we still had time to snap a few photos and enjoy our very first gondola ride in Venice :) I was also clutching my brand new purchase from Libreria Emiliana for dear life.
We saw gondolas all over and there were many times we could have hopped on one for a tour of the busiest areas in Venice, but we took our long, touristy ride near where we stayed in the Jewish Ghetto.
The sun was setting and most of the tourists had left the city. It was the perfect time and place for our long gondola ride! Earlier in the day I asked one of the gondola drivers in the busier areas if he would sing for us and he just laughed. But when I asked Remy if he would sing to us he smiled and said yes. Game on!
It was really fun going under bridges and seeing the beautiful buildings, but I really enjoyed people watching. This guy was just enjoying his evening wine and watching the boats pass by.
There were so many seagulls! Not surprising because the entire city is on the ocean, but their enormous size surprised me!
I absolutely loved the Venetian Gothic style windows and columns.
Have you ever taken a gondola ride in Venice? Or is it on your travel bucket list?
I am jealous – you made your blog and beautiful photos live journey for us – enjoy the clip!!
Great pics!
Thanks Christine!
So cool! And I totally thought gondoliers had to sing in order to work.
Ahh is that what we call them… gondoliers!? Good to know :) Ha! The first one would not have sang at all! Our guy was really cool and told us how his father taught him to steer since he was a little boy. Very sweet!
Aww, such cute pics. I always thought taking a gondola ride in Venice would be corny and touristy, but you seem like you’re having such a good time. Love it.
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Thanks Esther! It felt touristy as we were coordinating before we actually got on the gondola, but as soon as we got out there on the water, it felt wonderful and authentic :)
Beautiful photos! I’m glad you also had a wonderful experience riding the gondolas. We did this for the first time last November and it was so much fun. The kids loved it. It was one of our memorable moments. I kinda wished our gondolier sang too or at least talked a little bit more.
Thanks Mary :) Yes, my son loved the experience! And I can’t imagine doing it without at least one song – I would have made my husband sing if the gondolier didn’t do it lol