Nothing conveys the romance of Venice like a gondola -- these elegant, black, hand-built wooden boats have been an unmistakable feature of the city for almost 1,000 years!

Choose between two different routes that allow you to explore the major monuments and picturesque byways of the Sestiere San Marco or the Sestiere San Polo, on either side of the Grand Canal.

• Classic Venice: Meet the gondolier at Calle Vallaresso in front of Harry's Bar, right off Piazza San Marco. Glide along the Grand Canal by the Punta della Dogana and the monumental church of the Salute. A series of side canals leads to the backside of the Teatro La Fenice, the Palazzo Ca' Corner and the palace where Mozart stayed during the Carnival of 1771. Return past the Campo San Moise' to your starting point.


• Hidden Venice: Meet the gondolier at the San Toma' traghetto stop on the Grand Canal, on Venice?s quieter Left Bank. Glide along the Grand Canal almost as far as the Rialto Bridge and return downstream past the aristocratic palaces of the Mocenigo, Ca' Garzoni, Pisani Moretta and Dona'. A small side canal leads to the expanse of Campo San Polo; return past the 15th century Palazzo Bernardo to your starting point.

Please note that routes may differ depending on the season, the tides, the amount of boat traffic and the time of day. At the height of the tourist season (June, July, August), the Hidden Venice route may offer a less crowded, more enjoyable ride.