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Destination: Venice

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There’s Something For Everyone in Venice

For 30 years, I’ve been fascinated by all the goofy gimmicks sold by immigrants on the streets of Europe. The flaming Manneken-Pis cigarette lighters, the “How many more minutes of George W. Bush’s presidency are left?” digital countdown clocks, the fluorescent launchers, the click-clack crickets, the selfie sticks. One year it’s tripods and the next its 4-inch cartoon figures that magically dance against a wall. It seems they all have a season and the next year there’s something different. You could fill a museum with them. Lately, a favorite is the blob. These guys are peddling this stuff illegally and are generally camera-shy, but I found a young man in Venice willing to demonstrate his goods on camera. Can you imagine buying this mysterious glob of chemical goo for your child? Yummy!

What are some of other bits of silliness sold on the streets of Europe over the years that you recall?

 

This is Day 27 of my 100 Days in Europe series. As I research my guidebooks and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences and lessons learned in Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Bulgaria, Romania, and beyond. Find more at blog.ricksteves.com.

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Venetian Glassblowing

While we all pride ourselves in getting away from the tourist clichés, as a tour operator I’m also excited about maximizing the classic experiences — even if they are touristy. And in Venice, one of those is a glassblowing demonstration.

Any tour group is welcome to climb the stairs from St. Mark’s Square to watch a mesmerizing demonstration, which is always followed by an entertaining 10-minute sales pitch in the showroom. As many guides live for the sales kickbacks to supplement their income, most tour companies really push this and similar shopping experiences (like diamond polishing in Amsterdam). But our tours accept no kickbacks for the shopping our tour members do, and anyone buying anything here gets the standard 20 percent guides’ kickback discounted off their sales price. That way, as we explain to our groups, you’re only paying double what you should be… rather than triple.

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.

P.S. I’m on a Best of Europe in 21 Days Tour.

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The Gondola Experience

Another Venice cliché, which I absolutely love, is the gondola ride. Sure, it’s expensive (about $160 for a 50-minute ride). But the cost (and romance) can be split by up to six people. While Venice is crowded, the gondoliers’ Venice is a parallel world of dreamy tranquility as your vessel slices through the city’s watery magic, providing a timeless, almost trance-like experience.

The route you take is determined by how much you pay (two options: €80 for 30 minutes or €120 for 50 minutes) and where you pick up your gondola. A highlight of any ride picked up near St. Mark's Square, of course, is gliding under the famous Bridge of Sighs.
The route you take is determined by how much you pay (two options: €80 for 30 minutes or €120 for 50 minutes) and where you pick up your gondola. A highlight of any ride picked up near St. Mark’s Square, of course, is gliding under the famous Bridge of Sighs.
As you’ll be in the care of one person, it’s important to choose a gondolier whose personality you enjoy. He’ll likely give a brief commentary if you like. I like to talk with several gondoliers before choosing my captain for the romantic little voyage.
As you’ll be in the care of one person, it’s important to choose a gondolier whose personality you enjoy. He’ll likely give a brief commentary if you like. I like to talk with several gondoliers before choosing my captain for the romantic little voyage.
The gondoliers generally pass their treasured license to work on the Venetian canals down from generation to generation. Some of them chat with each other and smoke as they pole you sloppily through the standard route. Others — like the one we chose — are charming and expertly give you an experience that, while pricey, I consider a very good value.
The gondoliers generally pass their treasured license to work on the Venetian canals down from generation to generation. Some of them chat with each other and smoke as they pole you sloppily through the standard route. Others — like the one we chose — are charming and expertly give you an experience that, while pricey, I consider a very good value.
At the end of our ride, we passed a family who flashed my guidebook. Only then did our gondolier find out what I do for a living.
At the end of our ride, we passed a family who flashed my guidebook. Only then did our gondolier find out what I do for a living.

P.S. I’m on a Best of Europe in 21 Days Tour.