Europe Vacation

Romantic Gondola Ride in Venice, Italy

By James Stevenson January 6, 2013

[Photo:]

Gondolas have been a tradition in Venice for centuries. Initially used to transport goods down the narrow canals of Venice, today gondolas are primarily used for sightseeing and ceremonial functions.

Taking a gondola ride in Venice gives you a completely different perspective of the city than exploring it on foot. The best time is in the evening when the waterways are no longer crowded with other boats.

You can usually book a ride through your hotel. If you go for a walk around St Mark's in the evening, many gondoliers stand near bridges offering gondola rides. Each gondola is a bit different so you can make sure you get the perfect one, especially if this is your honeymoon.

Ask to be taken under these spectacular bridges - there is no better way to see them than from the water:

1. The Bridge of Sighs

If you are looking for unique vacation destinations in Italy, the Bridge of Sighs is a small stone bridge that connects the Doge's Palace with prison cells. The bridge received its name because of the sighs of the prisoners that were lead to the terrible prison cells. To see the bridge on foot, follow the length of the Doge's Palace until you reach Ponte della Paglia, the bridge facing the Bridge of Sighs. Ponte della Paglia is always filled with visitors trying to take a picture with the Bridge of Sighs in the background. You can visit the interior of the bridge by taking a tour of the Doge's Palace.

2. The Accademia Bridge

The Accademia Bridge is a wooden bridge that crosses the Grand Canal in Venice. You will see it from your boat heading down the Grand Canal. If you decide to explore Venice on foot, the bridge is hard to miss since many street signs point right to it. It's a romantic vacation spot from which to observe the life in Venice. The Accademia Bridge was initially built on a temporary basis out of wood in 1932. It remained in its place because of popularity. Tha area around the Accademia Bridge on the Grand Canal is home to the Accademia galleries and the Peggy Guggenheim collection. The Accademia galleries house some of the best Venetian art, including Titian, Tintoretto, Bellini and Giambono.

3. Ponte della Paglia

Ponte della Paglia is a stone bridge next to the Doge's Palace that connects St. Mark's and Castello districts in Venice. This bridge is always crowded during the day with people trying to view the famous Bridge of Sighs located just behind it. Get up early in the morning, however, and you will Ponte della Paglia all to yourself. Once you stand on the bridge, you will be faced with scenic views everywhere you look. Looking west, Piazzetta San Marco features the Columns of San Marco and San Teodoro. Riva degli Schiavoni lies to the east. You will also be able to admire the Bridge of Sighs and San Giorgio Maggiore across the lagoon.

4. The Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is a landmark structure on the Grand Canal in Venice, attracting visitors with its central location and scenic views of the Grand Canal. The bridge is lined with two rows of shops selling souvenirs, glass products and jewelry. There are numerous cafes and restaurants in the area where you can rest your feet and watch boats make their way down the Grand Canal, a great romantic idea.