Guide to Punting in Venice
Punting in a gondola is, without a doubt, one of the most iconic ways to experience Venice. There’s just something about navigating the canals and waterways of this fascinating city that is timeless and romantic. Although punting is generally reserved for tourists these days, it used to be a symbol of prestige in this unique Italian city. If you’re planning a holiday in Venice, make sure to include a punt ride at some point.
The History of Punting in Venice
Due to the lagoon-like nature of the land upon which Venice was founded – and the fact that it is actually made up of more than 100 small islands – canals were developed very early in its history. Getting around by these canals necessitated specialised forms of water transport, which is what brought about punts. The first gondolas are believed to have been used in Venice in the early 1000’s.
Being ferried around on a gondola was something that was reserved for the city’s upper-class citizens. Everyday people didn’t generally partake in punting along the city’s canals. In many ways, travelling by gondola has always been more about show than anything else; it’s not exactly the quickest or most efficient way to get around Venice. Although the heyday of gondolas and punting has come and gone, they remain important parts of any traditional holiday in the city. As the largest automobile-free urban region on Earth, Venice presents a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy the serenity and pleasure of punting along on its canals.
Punting in Venice Today
If you’re going to be in Venice and would like to see what punting is all about, the first thing you are probably wondering is how much it will cost. A set series of rates are in effect; a gondola ride for six people for forty minutes costs around £70. You can add an additional twenty minutes to the excursion for about £35. These rates are for a basic punt along a few canals; more extensive trips, including ones with gondoliers who croon romantic songs, can cost £125 and up for forty minutes.
Despite a Venetian punt’s high price, it is well worth it. Punts can be picked up at the city’s two most famous bridges, the Rialto and the Accademia; both happen to be close to several Venice hotels, too. When planning your holiday in Venice, set aside a bit of spare cash in order to enjoy a traditional gondola ride. By booking cheap hotels in Venice, you can easily scrape up the extra money. There is simply no better way to experience this breathtaking city – and who knows if you will ever have another chance to do so?