Gondolas and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

Okay we never actually went on a gondola ride. It was sooo expensive. And for us we had the feeling that we would be taking a gondola ride just to say we took a gondola ride. That said we took a water taxi ride at night through some of the smaller canals in Venice to get to the airport and it was beautiful. So I think if I came back I would consider taking a gondola ride through the canals at night. So pretty.

Now here is our funny gondola story. Two guys were hanging out near the Ponte dell'Accademia trying to solicit gondola rides saying "you want gondola ride.....we give you good time!" as if they were offering something else! The best deal we could find for the evening (after 8pm) was 120 euros for 35 minutes.

We really wanted to take a traghetto but never found the time with all our sightseeing.

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The only piazza in Venice!

Our hotel was within easy walking distance so we went several times. It was easy to find without a map. There were arrows throughout the city pointing the way. Or you can just follow the crowds. We went twice during the day and twice at night.

At night we would sit on the steps surrounding the square and listen to the bands as they played for the last of the diners. There are two old cafes on opposite ends of the square, each with their own talented musicians. Every so often a couple passing by would start dancing in the middle of the practically deserted piazza.
Also, if you don't care for the hords of pigeons know that there are hardly any at night.

During the day it's a different story. St. Mark's Square is sometimes flooded and always crowded, especially around St. Mark’s Basilica. I live in a city with lots of pigeons everyone so I didn't have a strong desire to feed the pigeons or have them land on me but it was fun to watch the other tourists enjoying themselves.

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