Gondolas and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

Most gondaliers will initially quote you a flat rate of 100 euros - no matter where you are or what time it is. Then, depending on your negotiating skills you may be able to bring the price down, but certainly no lower than the standard rates set by the local council - (These can be seen on the official web site below).

The set rates are for a 50min trip, and most will not entertain the idea of a shorter one for less money.

We decided 70 euros was the maximum we were going to pay, and although a few refused flatly, we finally found one who offered a 25 min trip for this amount.

Our mistake was leaving it too late into our last day. As dusk falls and the majority of the tourists, and gondaliers, start to leave Venice, we were left with very few to bargain with.

At night you can walk street after street and see no-one - except a little red hoodied dwarf...

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Directions: Most small bridges have a gondolier waiting on them during the day, or try the large gondola stations shown on any decent tourist map (St. Marks Sq is obviously the biggest).
Website: www.gondolavenezia.it/history_tariffe.asp?Pag=43

Get up early one morning and make your way to St. Marks Square before the (other) tourists arrive. (I'm talking about being in the Square for about 6am)

With any luck not too many other people will have had the same idea, and you will be sharing it with some pigeons, a photographer or two, and later, the street cleaners (who still use twig brushes... what's that all about?).

It is unrecognisable from the Square you will see at midday when it fills up with noise, people & music.

Later on, if you don't want to pay the 15 - 20 euros for a cup of coffee at one of the famous bars such as Florian or Quadri, try Bar Americano next to the Basilica, where an expresso is only 1 euro!!! (listening to the orchestras in Venice is free...)

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Directions: Sounds crazy as it's the biggest and most famous landmark in Venice, but it can still be difficult to find at times, although as you get closer, there are signs on most corners for "PER S. MARCO".