Photo: emutree
A new way to explore Italy’s “City of Water.”
Getting on the water has always been a “must” for visitors to Venice, whether springing for a romantic gondola tour or simply hopping on a vaporetto waterbus. The canals define the city, and experiencing them from water level can be a lot of fun.
The company Venice Kayak has recently taken that idea in a new direction, offering guided kayak tours through the maze of waterways that comprise the floating city.
In a piece for The Guardian titled Kayaking in Venice: who needs a gondola?, Teresa Machan shares her story of paddling the Grand Canal, getting cut off by gondolas, and disembarking for gelato breaks.
Photo: ezioman
As Machan relates, the tours also take you out of the boat traffic and into the surrounding marshes of Laguna Veneta that otherwise can be difficult to explore as a tourist.
On the lagoon’s little islands are abandoned monasteries, insane asylums, military facilities, and other forgotten and slightly spooky sites to explore.
Venice Kayak’s accommodation options include camping near its headquarters on the sandbar of Lido de Venezia, a half hour paddle from the city.
Kayaking and camping…not typically what you think of for a Venice vacation.
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While in Venice, save some euros with the tips from Sightseeing in Venice for (Almost) Free.
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6 Comments... join the discussion!
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I can be packed and ready to go tomorrow! This sounds SO NEAT! I wonder if there are regulations about kayaking by individuals, although signing on with experts would by far be preferable. I’ve read stories about the challenges of navigating the lagoon’s channels and how that’s was even used as a defense mechanism in the heyday of the Republic.
On our next trip to Venice we *have* to do this!
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This is sounds so interesting! Love camping and kayaking so what a cool combination! I wonder if its a little better on the wallet?
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What an amazing idea! i have to say in my three visits to Venice I never once hit the water do to budgetary constraints. A kayak is much more up alley than a gondola, no matter how traditional the latter is!
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That would be sweet.
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Whoa! Definitely added to my must-do list. …Especially when you dangle the prospect of “insane asylums”….
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