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Venice Canal and Gondola Rides
The Grand Canal
The Grand Canal banks are lined with more than 170 beautiful buildings, most of which date to 13th to 18th century and demonstrate the welfare and art created by the Republic of Venice. The noble venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos: this contest reveals the citizens' pride and the deep bond with the lagoon.
Amongst the many are the Palazzi Barbaro, Ca' Rezzonico, Ca' d'Oro, Palazzo Dario, Ca' Foscari, Palazzo Barbarigo and to Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, housing the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The churches along the canal include the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. Centuries-old tradition such as the Historical Regatta are perpetuated every year along the Canal.
Because most of the city's traffic goes along the Canal rather than across it, only one bridge crossed the canal until the 19th century, the Rialto Bridge. There are currently two more bridges, the Ponte degli Scalzi and the Ponte dell'Accademia. A fourth bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava is now under construction, connecting the train station to the vehicle-open area of Piazzale Roma
The Story of Gondolas
The classical Venetian boat is the gondola, although it is now mostly used for tourists, or for weddings, funerals,and other ceremonies. Most Venetians now travel by motorised waterbuses ("vaporetto") which use regular routes along the major canals and between the city's islands. The city also has many private boats. The only unmotorized gondolas still in common use by Venetians are the traghetti, foot passenger ferries crossing the Grand Canal at certain points without bridges.
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Venice
Venice is world-famous for its canals. It is built on an archipelago of 118 islands formed by about 150 canals in a shallow lagoon. The islands on which the city is built are connected by about 400 bridges. In the old center, the canals serve the function of roads, and every form of transport is on water or on foot. In the 19th century a causeway to the mainland brought a railway station to Venice, and an automobile causeway and parking lot was added in the 20th century. Beyond these land entrances at the northern edge of the city, transportation within the city remains, as it was in centuries past, entirely on water or on foot.
Venice is Europe's largest urban carfree area, unique in Europe in remaining a sizable functioning city in the 21st century entirely without motorcars or trucks.
Venice Canal and Gondola Rides
In a city built on water, the best way to appreciate its beauty and uniqueness is on our informative and entertaining boat tour of the Grand Canal & minor canals of Venice.
Admire the play of light as we glide along the Grand Canal, the main street of Venice! Our friendly and knowledgeable guides will introduce you to the splendid palaces, churches, bridges, gardens and warehouses that line the Grand Canal of Venice.
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Grand Canal Trip
Cruise along the Grand Canal & minor canals of Venice in a luxurious motor-launch on a guided tour to discover the true magic of the worlds most beautiful city. Enjoy an intimate and rewarding boat tour of Venice that is an
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The Grand Canal
Meeting Point : San Marco Square
Departures:
5th March - 14th Oct Daily at 4.30 p.m.
15th Oct- 11th Nov Daily at 2.30 pm / exc Sundays at 4.30 pm
Travelling in a luxurious motor-launch, along with a glass or two of sparkling Prosecco wine, our boat tour of the Grand Canal will bring alive all the magicof Venice.
Learn about the origins and evolution of Venice 's most important street, and afterwards enjoy a fascinatingvoyage through the minor canals of Venice to see parts of the city seldom visited by tourists. Unlike a ride in a Gondola, on our Grand Canal boat tour you'll travel through many diverse areas of the city through which you'll enjoy a thorough introduction to the city of Venice.
Ideal for photographers!
On our Grand Canal Boat Tour we use small enough boats to navigate the minorcanals, while the boats have enough space for eveyone to sit outside to take photographs and to listen to the detailed commentary of our guides. All boats are equipped with microphones and speakers so you can clearly hear your guide. Tour begins and finishes at St. Marks.
An absolute must for the first-time visitor to Venice, our Grand Canal Boat Tour will provide you with memories that will last you a life-time.
BOOK EARLY TO GUARANTEE YOUR PLACE ON THIS POPULAR TOUR - LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS PER TOUR!
Price 45€
Includes :
Local Expert Guide
Luxury Motor-Launch equipped with Microphones, a glass or two of Prosecco wine
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3 Island Tours
Excursion to the northern lagoon of Venice to visit the most famous islands: Murano, world known for glass-making, Burano for the hand-made lace and its colourful houses. Torcello as the first human settlement in the lagoon.
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Murano, Burano Torcello by Boat
Murano is the most famous of the Venetian Islands , and themost visited courtesy of the famous glass-works that produce the popular “Murano Glass”. The people of Venice have been making crystal and glasssince the 10th Century, when the Venetian merchants brought back the secrets of production from the East.
The Island of Burano is the most picturesque of Venetian Island of the Lagoon. Famous for its lace-making industry, the pretty fishing village has its streets and canals lined by pastel coloured houses.
Once the commercial capital of Venice , nowadays Torcello boasts a population of only 60 people. Deserted, the island boasts two main attractions: the Venetian-Byzantine Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta founded in the 7th Century was Venice 's first cathedral.
Cost per group : 650 €
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Gondola Tours
Float along the river Seine while enjoying a good meal and seeing the illuminated sights. There is nothing like it!
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Venice by Gondola
Venice City and Gondola Rides - Scheduled Group Departures
Tour: MT-VEN-GON1
Walk through the typical narrow streets (calli) and small squares (campi), Stairs of Bovolo and Campo Manin, gondola ride to discover the minor Venice through the enchanting maze of canals. Visit the Gothic Church of Frari (painting of Bellini and Tiziano, sculptures of Canova).
Duration : 2 hours. It operates only from April 1 to October 31
Cost 350 euro per group
Gondola Tour
Tour: MT-VEN-GON2
Private gondola tour along the canals of Venice including the Grand Canal.
Private Tour: 250 euro per group
Gondola Serenades
Tour: MT-VEN-GON1
Gondola along the Grand Canal with live musicians on board
Departures:
April 1 to October 31 7:30pm
November 1 to March 31 3:30pm
Departure Point : Santa Maria del Giglio gondola station.
Duration: 40 minutes
Scheduled Tour Cost 50 euro pp
Private Tour Cost 475 euro per group
Optional: Dinner at Al Giglioa 4-course dinner (drinks excluded) 45 euro pp supplement
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Venice Seen from Afar
There is no doubt that Venice was built to be seen from the water where it is at its most spectacular and magnificent.
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Private Tour
" ..to come to Venice by land from the station is like entering a palace by the back door. No one should approach, save by the high seas, this most improbable of cities."
Thomas Mann, "Death in Venice"
There is no doubt that Venice was built to be seen from the water where it is at its most spectacular and magnificent. This is a complete itinerary around and through the lagoon city for those who want to enjoy a unique experience, discovering the charm and silence of narrow canals immersed in shadow, observe the silhouettes of ancient rooftops against limpid skies; the itinerary meanders through vibrant neighbourhoods, under bridges and past squares, a glimpse of secret gardens; glide down the Grand Canal with the centuries-old palaces on either side, the air full of the cries of gondoliers; soak up the sun on the open lagoon. A magic synthesis to the rhythm of the waves!
Cost: 325 euro per group
Includes: Motorlaunch and guide for 1 hour