Venice Gondola Ride and Serenade

You can walk around Venice. You could take a water taxi. But, really, there's only one way to get around La Serenissima, as this city of bridges and canals is nicknamed. And that way is by gondola. Decide to take one of four starting times when you book and then, on the day of the ride, head to the gondola pier at Piazza Santa Maria del Giglio in the center of Venice. 

After your arrival, hop on the shared six-seater gondola and sit back and let to your gondolier, clad in traditional clothing, cruise you through the wide and narrow, popular and offbeat canals through Venice. Each gondola holds six people and you will be part of a flotilla of eight gondolas floating together. See the city's main landmarks, including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Grand Canal and various centuries-old palaces. 

At one point during the ride, a singer will board one of the boats and begin crooning traditional Venetian tunes as you float along the canals. Sit back and let your ears take in the gorgeous songs and lose yourself in the sound and the look of Venice. 

After about 35 minutes of floating through this magical city, return to the pier where your gondola ride finishes.