Venice: Off the Beaten Path Private Gondola Ride

Step aboard your private gondola and glide through the canals of Venice. Whether you want to meander through hidden corners or glide under famous bridges and sights – this tour satisfies all tastes. Fabio, one of the gondoliers, says, ‘Being a gondolier is so much more than operating a gondola. Over 400 hours go into getting a Gondolier license, learning the ins and outs of the canals, Venetian art and history, and our language skills have to be top of the class. You’re really in the safest hands.’

The shortest tour focuses on the San Paolo district. Discover an intimate side of Venice and lesser-known gems including the Carmelitani Church and the Venetian-Baroque architecture of the Palazzo Zenobio. ‘Canal-facing facades are a unique characteristic of Venetian buildings before streets came along – the canals were the streets – and they were a way of showing style and wealth. You’ll see some showstoppers’, says gondolier Fabio.

The 1-hour tour continues on to the Grand Canal under the impressive Degli Scalzi Bridge. Your gondolier will point out Pisani-Moretta Palace and Ca’ Foscari – one of the most beautiful universities in Italy. If you’re bursting to see Venice’s more famed locations, the 1.5-hour tour showcases the Rialto Bridge area and the longest ride adds St. Mark’s Square to the itinerary. Weave through the heart of the city and see the Bridge of Sighs and Basilica della Salute before heading back to Piazzale Roma.