Gondolas are flat bottomed boats that are rowed not poled as many believe, as the waters in Venice are too deep. The prices are about 80 to 100 euros ($136) for 40 minutes, which was A LITTLE steep for us. We decided that we had to try the experience though and took an older gondola ( paint peeling, etc) that is used by the locals to cross the canals. It only cost a couple of euros for the whole family. Of course, we had to stand up like the locals which made me a little nervous for the little ones but it was amazingly stable.
I always wondered about the distinctive design (ok...maybe not always-Kathy wants me to remove anything slightly not quite true/interesting from future posts) of the gondolas. They evolved over the centuries and the final design and color was finalized and regulated by law in the mid 20th century.
At the front of the boat is the ferro, which means iron and is used as a counterweight for the gondolier who stands at the opposite end of the boat. The design of the ferro has slots cut into it to represent the different districts of Venice.
I always wondered about the distinctive design (ok...maybe not always-Kathy wants me to remove anything slightly not quite true/interesting from future posts) of the gondolas. They evolved over the centuries and the final design and color was finalized and regulated by law in the mid 20th century.
At the front of the boat is the ferro, which means iron and is used as a counterweight for the gondolier who stands at the opposite end of the boat. The design of the ferro has slots cut into it to represent the different districts of Venice.
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