The Venetian Gondola Rides

True story: A gondola ride through the Venetian in Las Vegas is more relaxing than a gondola ride through Venice.

I speak the truth here, I swear. And I highly recommend the ride as a diversion from the hustle and bustle of daily Vegas life.

Like many hotel/casinos in Las Vegas, the Venetian is built on a city-centered theme. This one replicating the canals, architecture, and aura of Venice, Italy. Most of the themeiness abounds in the "Grand Canal Shoppes," a mall of sorts disguised as an Italian oasis. From the painted-blue sky set on constant sunshine to the muted stone and brick facades to the "streetmosphere" of performers, the Venetian is a mini-Italy. What makes the hotel, however, into a true silly American oasis in that carved out through the mall is a replica of the Venice canal, complete with shining gondolas and singing gondoliers.

There are two gondola rides at the Venetian: one indoor and one out. Though I have yet to ride the outdoor one, I can't imagine it being better than indoor. Outside, I imagine, you'd be riding a gondola in Vegas, but indoors you are riding a gondola through Venice.

Site: "Authentic" Venetian Gondola Ride
Location: The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Cost: Indoor ride: Adults - $15.00 (Gondola Seats Four), Private two-passenger gondola - $60.00; Outdoor ride: Adults - $12.50 (Gondola Seats Four), Private two-passenger gondola - $50.00
Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – midnight
Restrictions: Reservations must be made in person, same day only. Ticket sales open daily at 9 a.m. for the indoor ride and 10 a.m. for the outdoor ride.
Date: December 1, 2007