Shared Gondola Ride in Venice

Great experience! The shared boat ride was fun, went into the big canal and also into little waterways that are very quiet through Venice.

They left us hanging. We were 20 feet away at an actual gondola pickup spot, thinking that was the spot. We were then told at 5:15 ( the time of our appt) that we had to go 20 feet away at a different spot. We got there at 5:20 and nobody there. Then called and told we were too late and did not get our money back. We’ve spent loads of money at Viator over the years on vacations, never will use them again period.

Less than 20 min ride. Still had to wait in a line despite having to book a specific time. The route was a small loop with lots of gondola traffic and little scenic value.

The boatman was incredibly skilled. He was able to steer our boat expertly around many obstacles. My husband and I were lucky to get the very comfortable seats in the back of the gondola. The other couple was quite displeased to have to sit on small benches without backs for the ride. When she complained, the helper on shore told her, “I don’t make the gondolas or the rules, if you don’t like it, get off the boat.” This seemed to be the basic attitude of the folks associated with the tour. I was surprised. We spent over a week in Florence and around Tuscany and it’s the first time we encountered anyone who was less than kind and polite. For them, it’s only about making money. The trip itself was good. The gondolier was silent, but extremely skilled.

We had too many for a single gondola so we had to split up. My husband and I took one while our teens took a second. My husband and I had a great captain who pointed out interesting sights and was very kind. My kids had a very different experience. Their driver pulled the gondola parallel with his friends and they talked to each other the whole time. That may have been fine but their conversation consisted of insulting their customers and mocking each other’s passengers. My guess is they were assuming no one understood his Italian. Unfortunately, one of my kids understood Italian enough to translate his insults. Such a shame since my husband and I had a good driver. There are a lot of gondola companies in Venice, I can’t say I would chose this one again if we went back.

The guides arrived at the meeting point in time. After all the travelers arrived, they walked together to the canal. The gondoliers were already waiting for us there. Our local gondolieri spoke very good English and was super friendly. We would recommend the half-hour gondola ride to anyone.

For the price I had expected a private gondola ride, not to be shepherded with a large group and filed onto a gondola with others who we didn’t know, without any explanation of the activity, or where it would end. The instructions for the meeting point were also unclear and several people were lost.

Some groups with same number of people as my group were able use the gondola for themselves…when everyone paid the same amount….

I loved the charming and traditional boat ride on the Gondola. I only wished that I had booked a longer ride. The views were spectacular of the open river and canals.

Finding location was very difficult. The organizer was very rude and uncooperative. The Gondola operator also wa totally not bothered. An unhappy experience though the ride was ok