Secret Venice: Guided Tour & Gondola Ride Through Hidden Canals

It was pouring down rain and at least an hour and a half prior we decided to ask if we could forego the walking tour and have a slightly extended gondola ride. At first we were told no, so we went on our way and came back about 20 minutes prior to our time and asked again. This time we were told we could do just the gondola ride but would have to wait for one to be available. We agreed. When we finally got in the gondola, the guide didn’t speak English, did not give us any information, and then took us out for 10-12 minutes (ride was supposed to be 30) before going back where we were told too much rain. While we appreciate safety being first, no communication was provided. And although there is a fine print that the experience goes rain or shine, it would be nice to be offered some sort of compensation but was not. Bottom line is, at best, we have a memory of a one canal gondola ride in the rain.

Andre was a great guide, he was conversational but also giving history. He had a dry, and wry sense of humour which suited us well! Doing the tour the first day of our time in Venice helped us get our bearings in that area of town, and helped us when we returned. The gondola ride was enjoyable. We were spilt in to gondola's of 5 people at the end of the tour and went a little way down the Grand Canal, off a side canal , and eventually returned to the Grand Canal.

It would have been good if there were extra earphones, as there were three of us in our group, but only one earphone was working. When we tried to explain and exchange the broken earphone, none were available. As a result, I didn't understand any of the secrets of Venice. The guide was okay, but I could barely hear her speaking and explaining about the areas we visited. I was very disappointed and didn't enjoy the tour, except for the gondola ride. However, even the gondola ride was so congested and crowded that it ruined the beauty of the ride. I wish Venice could control the number of gondolas on the canals to avoid overcrowding.