**NEW: Tour Venice in a New Way with Venice Kayak (Free Italy Travel Advice)**
This
is an excerpt from the current issue of Dream
of Italy:
“When we paddle
around Venice,
we're away and separate from the crowd on land. They don't matter to
us, and we're just another weird thing to photograph,” says
René Seindal, co-founder of Venice Kayak.
Getting away from tourist hoards and into the winding canals that make
Venice so unique offers visitors perhaps the most authentic view and
experience of the city.
With his co-founder Marco Ballarin, Seindal has been leading kayakers
of varying levels through Venetian canals since summer 2008. Ballarin
is a native of Venice, and a seasoned kayak and canoe instructor
holding Italy's highest certification level, as well as a
marine guide certification. Seindal is Danish, and has extensively
studied and traveled in Italy for the past 15 years. The duo is
passionate about showing visitors the real Venice—the parts
of the city that can only be seen by authorized watercrafts, and that
are almost never traveled by gondolas. Tours include some of the outer
islands of Venice such as Murano and Burano.
There are four touring options: one day, three days, six days or one
week, and beginners are always welcome. Routes are agreed on at the
start of the day, based on individual or group interests, skills and
the weather and tide. Some groups prefer to venture under the Rialto
Bridge, see the city's “secret” canals,
or take in the magnificent views of palaces along the Grand Canal.
“We can take people to places most Venetians don't even know
exist,” Seindal said.
Evening paddles, which are popular on tours lasting three or more days,
include a stop for dinner, and allow kayakers to see the
city's finest land features, including the Lido
and Piazza
San Marco, at night when the
city is quietly stunning. Most guests say the evening paddle
“is the most spectacular” option, Seindal
explained.
Day trips (including bilingual tour guide, use of kayak, paddle, other
necessary equipment and maps) cost 150€ for an individual or
100€ per person for groups of two to five people.
Three-day outings start at 280€ per person. A one-week camping
holiday in Venice, with tents at Camping San
Nicolò, is
750€ per person. There's a 20% discount on all trips
for groups of six to 12 people. For more information, call (39) 346
4771327 or visit the Venice
Kayak Web site
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