The winding canals of Venice are, of course, the birthplace of the gondola. Historically, these flat-bottom boats were more than a tourist attraction; gondolas were once the only way to navigate Venice. Today, you’ll find gondoliers dressed in black and white striped shirts and red scarves all along the Venetian canals – and in a handful of U.S. cities. Here are four places in the States where you can take a gondola ride.
New Orleans, Louisiana
In The Big Easy, you can take a leisurely gondola ride through the lagoons of City Park with centuries-old oak trees and swans surrounding you. NOLA Gondola offers rides on an authentic Venetian gondola, with options of live mandolin music or a cheese and cracker platter. Feel free to bring your favorite bottle of wine or a nice bottle of champagne to complete the experience.
Las Vegas, Nevada
If you can’t make it to Venice to ride a gondola, consider the Venetian in Las Vegas instead. A recreated Grand Canal runs through the hotel. Gondoliers dressed to the nines in their finest gondolier threads will serenade you while taking you on a romantic gondola ride along the hotel’s Venice-inspired streets. If you’re headed to Las Vegas to say “I do,” you can even get married on the Venetian’s white gondola.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Experience Fort Lauderdale in a whole new light with a gondola ride down New River. Las Olas Gondola offers two tours: The Casa Magnifico tour, where you’ll take in some of the city’s most stunning homes from the water, and the Lovely Romantico tour, which includes a keepsake message in a bottle presented in a wooden treasure box to commemorate your experience.
Boston, Massachusetts
You haven’t seen the Charles River like this before. Gondola di Venezia offers slow rides down the Charles River with views of both the Boston and Cambridge skylines. You’ll be serenaded as you float down the river, and you can add chocolates, strawberries and a dozen roses for a romantic boost.
(Main image: bratha)
