Venice by canoe

Venice is a unique city, among the most fascinating, famous and tourist in the world. Yet there is an ideal means of seeing it from an absolutely original point of view: canoeing. Paying through the canals of the center, in fact, you can admire Venice from a truly surprising perspective (as well as, obviously, wonderful). Instead of a hundred euro kilometer gondola ride, you can therefore wander into kayaks for tens of kilometers along the channels without ever boring. Even the paddle stand is usable, but less pleasant because water is really dirty and sometimes complicated maneuvers!
Obviously, you need to be experienced canoists! The cramped spaces of certain parts of the Serenissima and the traffic of the Grand Canal and the central Rii of Venice can only be addressed if you know how to maneuver the kayak at the centimeter.
First of all, here is a map of our canoeing trip (obviously approximate, I Our Zig Zag were many more and so unforgettable as it is impossible to remember accurately):

The itinerary
we left from Mestre on a Saturday morning, on the coast opposite Venice, 4 km from the historic center. I initially pointed Murano, because the central Rii of Venice can be addressed by canoe only after one of the Saturday afternoon (as well as all day Sunday and after 15 weeks).
The first paddled for Murano were a taste Of what would expect: beautiful buildings on the water and tourists who looked at us with a mixture of envy, sympathy and compassion. I believe that weekend we were the second most photographed attraction in Venice, after San Marco and before the Rialto Bridge.

Quickly cut the channels between Murano and the cemetery and between the cemetery and Venice (you need to be quite skilled not to be invested by a motorboat or a ferry), then threw it into the center of Venice, remaining immediately ecstatic.
PAYING Following channels randomly was really a joy. The only defect was the little dirty water, on which it floated everything and that often emanated odors. Thus, as well as in Venice we felt a little even on the Ganges. An experience for sensitive art and strong stomachs.
The canoe took us to the Cannaregio district and to San Marco, where palaces became more and more beautiful and monumental. We touched the Grand Canal, where the waves caused by motorboats and the continuous passage of ferries made the paid less pleasant compared to the minor Rii of Venice. In particular, here with the sup would really be uncomfortable.
The views remained superb.
We then arrived in front of Piazza San Marco, and was a real joy.

we brought under the Bridge of Sighs. Here the traffic of Gondolas made much attention necessary, under penalty of being filled with insults. In fact, remounted we were the only canoe in Venice, it seemed that for some ghosts our existence caused enormous decompensation to the balance of the city. We maneuver carefully and left way, and indeed other gondoliers greeted us kindly ... mah, there are always nervous people, that I have to say, problems them!
we enjoyed the fantastic ones paid among some of the monuments The most beautiful in the world.
At one point we walked around the city, and in the chaos of tourists I noticed how to visit Venice without canoe It seemed trivial and limited. I was very happy to go back to the kayak.
Wrapped for Rii and Canals, we passed under Rialto, we walked almost all the Grand Canal; Finally, at the time of the aperitif, "we parked the canoe in an alley behind San Marco. We drank something and then inhamed in a strangely almost cheap trattoria with the specialties of the place: Sarde in Saor, cod, Veneziana liver.

We resumed the kayak at 10 am and cross Venice at night was exciting. We were in a channel a bit out of the most tourist center when we passed in front of a row of very animated bars. We moored and descended to the ground for a drink.
From Venice Solcammo then for two kilometers the open waters of the lagoon heading towards the island of Campalto. It was midnight, but with torches we managed to get an idea of the islet until you find a point to arrive. We planted the tent on a meadow, next to trees and a barbecue grill: in Campalto the campsite was free and that evening there was no one else, but there were obvious signs that the place was often frequented by campers.
Obviously, for a more traditional tourism Venice and surroundings are also full of hotels (along certain channels you can "park" canoeing, with some care and attention): Click here to compare hotels and find the most convenient accommodation.
We woke up in the morning later, we visited the islet of Campalto short, we loaded the canoe and shoot towards the center of Venice. We found other beautiful rei to go to KAYAK - I think that weekend we paid for 50 km, but we certainly did not see all the channels.
After a lunch where we felt the cod mandated with polenta, we resumed the canoe and at mid-afternoon we left Venice and we returned to Mestre, where we ended our trip ... a weekend really memorable.
I report here a map with the detail of the historic center and the rii and canals that we walked in kayak - it is not exactly precise because we had no GPS, but can give just an idea of how many possible routes can be made in the center of Venice.

For those who are used to turning in KAYAK, Venice obviously offers a completely different and unique environment: try! There is no dirty water that holds, it will still be one of the most incredible paddles of your life!

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