Tiggy22

Here are the official rates for gondolas. Remember that the gondoliers are members and are regulated by Ente Gondole (the equivalent of a Venetian gondolieri union) therefore the prices are regulated and controlled:

Prices are per gondola, from one to six people:

40 minutes, 8 am – 7 pm: €80;
each additional 20 mins: €40

40 minutes, 7 pm – 8 am: €100;
each additional 20 mins: €50

JillDavis

I thought you were suppossed to haggle with these gondoliers? Thanks Tiggy for the prices! That really helps. In your opinion, do you think the gondola ride is better at sunset OR at night?

Also, is 40 minutes long enough? Or do you recommend 60 minutes?

JulieVikmanis

Jill, when my daughter and her husband were there on her honeymoon, she asked the youngish staff at Locanda Orseolo for their recommendation for a very good and very romantic dinner. They consulted with each other for a day or two and finally recommended the restaurant at the hotel where you are staying. Daughter went and loved it.

My husband and I have eaten there as well (sometime before it was recommended to my daughter) and found it both romantic and quite good.

For a romantic lunch, we highly recommend Corte Sconda, in the area behind the Danelli hotel. They serve in a lovely sun-dappled courtyard with vines overhead and with fantastic fish and seafood on the plates. Sort of rustic but still very romantic.

I cannot find my trip log to be able to tell you the name, but there is a wonderful restaurant in the Dorsoduro which juts out into the water and looks across to the Guidecca. It's very modern but the outdoor platform is the place to dine, not inside. Views are beautiful and food is excellent. I'll keep looking for the name and post if I find it , but you can also ask the concierge at your hotel. It's quite new, and near the tip by the customs house.

Have a wonderful, romantic time.

JulieVikmanis

Ok, I did a bit of research. The restaurant I am thinking of on the Dorsoduro is Lineadombra. Google it and see the pix on the web. it's very nice.

JillDavis

Julie! You are amazing! That restaurant sounds right up my alley. I really appreciate it.

Nelson

Thanks for that gondola price information Tiggy. Glad to see we didn't need to haggle. I never knew that!

knickerbocker

If you're in the neighbourhood, I'd have no problem recommending Osteria Al Bacareto.

http://www.osteriaalbacareto.it/?lingua=en

Food was good and the service likewise. I'm sure that every Venetian neighbourhood has its equivalent. But if you're nearby, I'd recommend it.

Tiggy22

I am a good "barterer" - in fact that is how I met my boyfriend - he is a 9th generation gondolieri in Venice. I "bartered" him down from 100 euros down to 50 euros - but I had to kiss him. That was the beginning - anyway, that was 2 years ago and we are still very much in love.

JillDavis

Tiggy - Well, I am not sure if my husband will like it if I barter a gondolieri down in exchange for a kiss! HAHA.

NYCFoodSnob

" I "bartered" him down from 100 euros down to 50 euros - but I had to kiss him."

A gondoliere once told me my kiss was worth 1,000,000 Euros. My ride was free.

Saraho

bookmarking

valgrl01

Hi Jill....my husband and I traveled to Venice a couple years ago and are headed back in June. We decided to skip the gondola rides...it was too "touristy" for us....in our opinion. However, we found a super great local wine bar...I Rusteghi...it's our favorite place in Venice and we "stumbled" across it when we were there. It is very close to the Rialto Bridge, but quite hard to find!! Please check it out....you will love it!!!!

JUESnyc

Hi all,

I am going on my honeymoon this July and my husband and I are starting our honeymoon off in Venice. This has been a helpful thread for me to read about restaurants and we definitely will check out the wine bar that was on this thread!
I was wondering if anyone had any other restaurants or Venice nightlife spots- like the local wine bar on this thread

Thanks in advance!

rialtogrl

JUESnyc you might want to start a new thread.. this one is a bit old. Wine bars are not really "romantic.." more rustic I would say

suze

JillDavis' trip was over 6 years ago. JUESnyc do start a new one for more up to date replies.

dorkforcemom

I highly recommend Al Covo - delicious and holds a special memory for me.