Gondola

Gondola - Die Gondel

Our last night in Venice we took a Gondola ride. It was spectacular to go through through the canals. As the sun was setting and the city canals were getting quieter by the minute. (Other than the local singing out his window). This was the highlight for us. It was the perfect closing for a visit to a wonderful place.

The waterways are not just for tourists in Gondolas. This is the only way in and out of Venice. And with more than 150 canals, nearly 400 bridges and more than 100 islands making up the city - boats are the only transportation.   Public Transport buses, garbage trucks, ambulances, delivery trucks, taxis—  all are boats.

The city was an incredible place to visit. It was a hard balance to be a tourist and not recognize both the economic need for tourists - and the destruction by tourism. In the historic city portion of Venice less than 60,000 people live. Of those , it seemed like a very old population.  I watched them struggle through the crowds of tourists attempting to maintain their own daily schedule. I watched them try to find a seat on the public transport boats as they had to watch for tourist with suitcases and backpacks. The water buses were the most challenging and packed parts of Venice. (And we understood it wasn't even busy for normal years). I know that Venice is working hard to change the way tourists visit and I would have to agree.  It was an amazing place to visit and hope our footprint was a small as possible.