Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.comVenice Gondola Ride and Serenade
based on 249 reviews of Venice Gondola Ride and Serenade
Read what other Viator.com travelers think about the Venice Gondola Ride and Serenade. What they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved, it's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.
The gondola dock was a little difficult to find. Once we got there and got on the water, though, the experience was fantastic!
Reviewed by: Patricia P, United States of America, July 2009
There is not an 8:30pm Gondola time. Be careful, if they give you an 8:30 time go to either the 6:30 or 7:30.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United States of America, July 2009
It was fabulous. Could have ridden over and over.
Reviewed by: Ronald D, United States of America, July 2009
Fabulous way to end our stay in Venice! We travelled in a group of 5 gondolas. One gondola had a guy who played the accordion and another gentleman who could sing like nobody's business! My husband and I took wine and plastic cups. You can buy individual size wine bottles close by the gondola launching point. If you are trying to decide between the gondola ride with or without serenade, go for the serenade! You will be glad you did!
Reviewed by: Andrew C, United States of America, July 2009
I was afraid it would be corny, but I loved it! We met some wonderful fellow travelers; the gondoliers were gentlemanly, informative and have a genuine passion for their city; and the music was very nice. The locals and other visitors to Venice appeared to enjoy it as well, based on the number of folks who stopped what they were doing to listen to the music.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United States of America, July 2009
Great value! Ride was nice. Singer and accordion player's boat moved around among the other boats so all could hear. We were lucky to get back seats.
Reviewed by: Bruce K, United States of America, June 2009
We loved the Gondola Ride and Serenade. I was a little dissapointed, because I thought we would go under the Rialto Bridge and get great pictures. Other than that it was great.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United States of America, June 2009
It would have been better if we had known in advance we would be sharing a gondola with other people and that many gondolas go together in a group and there is one serenader for all gondolas. It worked out fine, but we were expecting something else. Our gondolier was rude and talked on his cell phone. Despite all this, we loved it.
Reviewed by: Linda H, United States of America, June 2009
Perfect!
Reviewed by: Jason W, United States of America, June 2009
It was so nice having a relaxing ride down the canal while listening to a serenade. We were only in Venice for a day and thought it would be cool to start our visit in Venice with a boat ride a few hours after we'd just literally arrived and checked into our hotel from the airport. We were 5 Gondolas traveling down the canal as a group while a deep melodious baritone singer an older gentleman who smiled & looked happy the whole time and accordion player were in the lead boat serenading all our boats. I actually thought it was neater being in the midst of several gondolas vs 1 gondola by itself. Our gondola also had only 1 other couple in it with us, very cozy. The trip was 10 minutes longer than the description - very welcome surprise - & we saved 45 off the 80 Euro price listed at the Gondola station had we not booked with Viator.
Reviewed by: Michelle A C, Canada, June 2009
Although it was a cloudy evening with some spots of rain, we loved our delightful gondola ride and being serenaded up the grand canal and through smaller canals and past quaint buildings, squares and under pretty bridges. We thoroughly recommend it.
Reviewed by: Ashley D, United Kingdom, June 2009
I was skeptical at first, but found that atmosphere was not the same as a gondola ride at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. What a sight -- especially when the gondolas ride into the open water of the grand canal, when you are among many many other gondolas! Our opera singer was good, but some of the other opera singers in the other gondola were great. They all tried to collaborate into group singing when we were in open water, which was a lot of fun. We didn't expect too much comfort, but it was not as bad as discribed in some of the other reviews I read and we had a good time enjoying the ride. The event would not start earlier than specified time of 6:30 p.m. It was first come first serve, and there were six people to a gondola. It you are positioned right while standing in line waiting to board, you get a comfortable love seat with your partner. I just handed them the voucher, and we were allowed to board a gondola. No hassle. Of course, there weren't that many tourists in May, and the weather was cool and breezy, which helped.
Reviewed by: Betty L, United States of America, May 2009
The singer had an excellent voice. We only had one regret and one criticism. Regret: That the accordion player and singer were not in our gondola--when we entered the smaller canals and had to go single file, our gondola was in front of the singer, and it was sometimes hard to hear him. Criticism: At the end of the ride, we were ushered out of the gondola quickly and were not allowed to take a picture with our gondolier. Still loved it!
Reviewed by: Leisa P, United States of America, May 2009
The ride begins and ends at a picture perfect location. Our tour consisted of six boats, including the one with the musician and singer. This is an experience not to be missed. We're very happy to have chosen this ride over a ride without music and song.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United States of America, May 2009
The singer and the accordionist were great, and the tour was excellent, on the Grand Canal and via small canals too. And it is much cheaper to be with a group. I would recommend it to any new visitor to Venice.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United Kingdom, May 2009
