An icon of the city, the graceful gondolas of Venice are individual works of art in addition to beloved modes of transportation. Their elegant contours embellish the memories and photos of countless visitors, but relatively few comprehend the complexity and balance of their refined forms. An eye for detail may reveal the functional elegance of their asymmetrical design: the boats bulge to one side to accommodate the off-center load of the gondoliers. For an artistic exercise with your morning coffee, sketch the lines and volume of these classic vessels. You'll gain a deeper appreciation for Italy's history of exquisite design by understanding the delicate unity of form and function that is the Venetian gondola.
In a misty sensual way, Venice appears from the sea and dares me to walk the twisting, winding streets and alleys that once led great writers and artists into secret lives. Lost, wandering past palazzos and palaces, the musty smell of past generations mix with the the fresh bread laid rising in the morning sun. Ah yes, this is my Venice - grand yet humble. Old yet new again. Forever captured in fleeting moments, I greet you with eyes wide and senses alert. Masked in the sweet perfume of amore, kissed with the salt of your sea, I fling myself into your inlets to rise with the tide and fall as the rhythmic heartbeat of marble stairs and cool stone statues lead me deeper and deeper, unfolding your secrets at last.
No matter how I arrive in Venice, by road, sea or rail, the sense of anticipation is overwhelming. The city seems to have a magical property that invites you to come
in; absorb the ambience, feel the life pulse and see the wonderous sights. It is difficult to write about Venice without using superlatives, but they are truly deserved.
From about the 8th century through to the 14th, the city expanded its territory using its naval power and an efficient army. Trading throughout the Mediterranean and holding the monopoly on the overland routes to the East, the city became one of the wealthiest in the world. And it shows! The sheer number and opulence of the palaces, churches and civic buildings almost beggars belief; and because of the restrictive confines of the islands upon which the city is built, everything is cheek by jowl. (You can walk from one side of Venice to the other in about an hour.) It’s a tourists dream; all those sights almost side by side. A brisk walk from the Rialto Bridge, with its adjacent fish and vegetable markets, to St Marks square, with the Basilica, the Clock Tower, the Doges’ Palace, the Campanile, and then ‘around the corner’ to the Bridge of Sighs, can be done it less than half an hour; and if you want to wander off exploring the labyrinth of streets and shops, it’s difficult to get lost, as everywhere signs indicate the way to either the Rialto or St Marks. Alternatively, many of the grand sights, and a lot of the opulent palaces can be viewed from the canals, whilst travelling on the ‘vaporetti’ (the water buses). Avoid water taxis and gondolas, unless you are prepared to spend a lot of money, you are short of time or require the extra nostalgia of the gondola ride to pique the memory of your visit.
A cautionary note; Venice survives by tourism, expect to pay over the odds for …..well,....everything. This is not as terrifying as it sounds, but be aware that you are not visiting an ordinary place, expect prices to be anything from 10% to 20% higher than normal. Having said that, if you do visit, there are always restaurants and cafes that will offer ‘Tourist Menus’ at much lower prices than the ‘a la carte’, but a drink sitting outside Florians in St Marks square could have you wondering about arranging an extension to your current mortgage.
It is a magical city, with a bustle and ambience all of its’ own; with the sights as a magnificent bonus. I love it!
As I watched the sun rise slowly over the boat strewn lagoon it felt like I was transported to a serene place. Here they travelled by foot or boat along canals and through coble stone streets and alleys that were dotted with friendly smiles, cafes, pizzarias, and shops. Venice had an old world charm that made me feel at peace. As I heard shouts of “Ciao” and “bongiourno” I felt like I was back in time. A time when the world moved at a slower pace, a time where real things mattered like family, friends, and enjoying life. Being a lone traveller I was surprised to find many willing Venetians including me in their socializing and made quite a few friends on this wonderful 3 day trip. I was astounded at how architecture, beauty, and charm could whisk my soul away and change my view on life.
Do not be afraid to go off the beaten track in Venice. This dilapidating, inimitable city does not have to be all about St. Mark’s Square, water taxis and imitation handbags. Some of its tiniest streets lead to its tiniest bridges – where nothing disturbs your quiet except the sound of a gondola gliding beneath and the slurping of the finest gelato you have ever enjoyed.
Passages of water snake through the Venetian maze, with gondolas floating slowly under bridges and around corners, making the bridges some of the most romantic, and even haunting places to pass the day or night. If you wish to sit in the gondola, be prepared to pay over $50-$100 for the ride; it depends on your ability to haggle. Grab food from the street shops (which incidentally, is the best value for food in Venice), walk out to any number or overpasses, and watch the happy gondolas go by.
An icon of the city, the graceful gondolas of Venice are individual works of art in addition to beloved modes of transportation. Their elegant contours embellish the memories and photos of countless visitors, but relatively few comprehend the complexity and balance of their refined forms. An eye for detail may reveal the functional elegance of their asymmetrical design: the boats bulge to one side to accommodate the off-center load of the gondoliers. For an artistic exercise with your morning coffee, sketch the lines and volume of these classic vessels. You'll gain a deeper appreciation for Italy's history of exquisite design by understanding the delicate unity of form and function that is the Venetian gondola.
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