Venice is a fairly small city, so the easiest and cheapest way to get around is on foot.Walking is a pleasure as there is no vehicle traffic and it only takes 40 minutes to cross the whole woven fabric of alleyways, bridges and canals from north to south.

The only obstacle may be the masses of tourists that sometimes clog up the pa- ths through. To find your way around and not get lost amid the many alleyways and canals, you should check a detailed map from time to time.

The most romantic, and the most expensive, form of transport is the gondola. There are many moorings where the gondoliers wait for trade, especially in Saint Mark’s Square, the Rialto, Piazzale Roma and the railway station. It is advi- sable to haggle before getting on board as the gondoliers will always try to make the most from each trip. The official fares are around 60 euros for a 45-minute trip, although after 8 pm this price goes up to 80 euros.

One way of saving is to get on with a group of people, although remember that a maximum of only five or six people are allowed on a gondola. Renting this type of boat for yourself is, without a doubt, rather expensive, but it is also a special and unique experience of a lifetime; the sort you never forget. We strongly suggest this experience: very romantic for You and Your lady.

By contrast, if you want to get to one of the many islands around the city (Burano, Giudecca, Murano, Lido, Poveglia), the quickest way is by one of the taxi launches. They are white or wooden and get from one part of the city to ano- ther in a matter of minutes.

They are also pretty expensive too, and the price goes up if you’ve got suitcases, if the boatman has to wait or if it’s at night. The traghetti (public ferries) are genuine gondolas that cross the Grand Canal at seven different points and which provide an inexpensive and continuous service for tourists, who very often have not even heard of them.

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