Jim

we've not been to venice before. want to do the romantic scene and take a gondola ride. any advice? <BR>

Pat Schulte

gondola rides are a tourist thing and I think the most "romantic' time is in the evening. There are gondola "stands" at San Marco. Plan on spending about $100 dollars for about 30 to 45 minute ride. Make sure you ask the price and time first.

Diane

In Sept. 1997 we rode a gondola for 80,000L. The gondolier started at 100,000 and we struck a deal at 80,000. The ride was 45 minutes and worth every penny.

Marty

I got this good information from about.com: <BR>How to Ride a Gondola in Venice <BR>A gondola ride on the Grand Canal or one of the city's quieter waterways is enjoyable, but many tourists dislike being gouged by greedy gondoliers. Use our advice to avoid hassles and unhappy memories. <BR> Here's How: <BR> 1.Find a gondola in the area where you'd like to take a ride. (This is easy-- gondoliers often beckon as you walk past.) <BR> 2.Negotiate a price. Official rates, which are considered fictitious, start at L70,000 for a 45- minute ride and L40,000 for each additional 30 minutes. After 8 p.m., the base rate goes up to L80,000. Actual rates may be double (or more) in high season,depending on supply and demand. <BR>3.Make sure that you and the gondolier have agreed on the length of the ride. <BR>4.When you've concluded your negotiations, board the gondola and enjoy your ride. <BR>5.At the end of the ride, pay and thank the gondolier. (There's no need to tip, although the gondolier certainly won't mind if you do.) <BR> Tips: <BR>1.Gondolas normally hold up to five passengers, although the gondolier may agree to six(especially if some are children and the price is right). <BR> 2.The Grand Canal can be busy and choppy. Select the quieter back canals if you want a smooth ride or a romantic experience. <BR>3.Don't expect the gondolier to sing. <BR>(My own opinion here: We took our ride before 8:00 at low sun just before sunset on a back canal and it was magical. I plan to do the same thing when were are back in Venice next month!) <BR>

richard j vicek

Good morning, Jim <BR>Check with the Amerx office just across <BR>from San Moise, about half block west of <BR>the Pza S. Marco, they have gondola rides nightly and you share with others, <BR>price is much less.. Also according to <BR>www.italian-connection.co.uk/tourveni.html. Also departs from Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, evenings from March 24th thru October 31st. <BR>Richard of La Grange Park, IL... <BR>

ralphie

Although I've never taken a gondola ride myself, a relative confirms Richard's post about the AMEX office. You pay for your ride at the AMEX office, so you don't have to worry about the gondolier doing any bait-and-switch pricing, or him 'forgetting' the price you had agreed upon.

Rod Hoots

My grown kids took the Am Ex tour a couple of years ago and thought it was great. It used to leave the Am Ex office (just off San Marco Square) about 4 PM and started with a tour of the beautiful Friari church. The gondola ride starts about 5 PM. At that time it was 40,000 per person, a real bargain. <BR>