How to Ride a Gondola in Venice, Italy

The ultimate experience for the true romantic is a gondola ride in Venice, Italy. There's nothing dreamier than getting cozy and snuggling in a red velvet-cushioned gondola while the gondolier serenades you with exquisite songs. As regal as this whole voyage sounds, many people do not properly prepare for their gondola ride and end up disappointed.

Things You'll Need

• Bargaining skills
• Cork screw
• Wine and cheese

Instructions

1. Choose your gondola station carefully. There'll be gondoliers all over the main tourist areas vying for your business. Find a gondola stand near a destination you'd like to see up close. If you want to avoid the crowds and possibly have a canal to yourself, try the Santa Sofia station.

2. Express to the gondolier exactly where in the canal you want to ride. You'll be paying a hefty price for your gondola ride, and you should see the sights you want to see.

3. Establish with your gondolier the precise length of your gondola ride. It's a common sight to see a gondolier rushing to take his passengers on a quick 15 minute ride.

4. Choose whether or not you want to be serenaded on your Venetian gondola ride. The singing definitely adds to the ambiance, but the price will increase substantially. If you don't want the songs, make sure that your gondolier knows you will not be paying any extra for "serenata."

5. Negotiate the price of your gondola ride before you step foot in the boat. Gondoliers will squeeze every penny they can out of you. Stand up to them, and do not let the drivers pressure you into paying a price you aren't willing to pay.

6. Enjoy your enchanting gondola ride. Once all of the negotiations are over, sit back and relax. Let the sights take your breath away.

Tips & Warnings

• Take some wine and cheese to enjoy on your gondola ride. Don't forget the cork screw.

• Share your gondola ride in Venice with other people to lessen the cost. Each gondola can hold six people.

• If the tide is low, postpone your gondola ride because you won't see Venice at its best.

• Prices for a gondola ride go up after 8 p.m.

• Passengers often get sick on gondola rides. If you're prone to seasickness, this might not be the adventure for you.