When you first think of Venice, what comes to mind? St Mark's? Canals? Gondolas? Probably not kayaks, right? Yet, something which has been gaining popularity over the past few years are kayak tours of the canals of this historic city. You literally get to see the city from a different perspective and it's a fun and more active way to get around. It's also a good way to independently navigate the city as its canals are the only way to get around and are usually only the domain of public transport, taxis and locals' vehicles. Find a holiday rental in Venice and you can have a very unique, once-in-a-lifetime adventure to show friends and family pictures of when you get home. The look of surprise on their faces will make it very much worth it!
Venice Kayak, the company that offers these tours is run by René Seindal, a Danish Italophile and kayak enthusiast who lives for part of the year in the city, and his Venetian colleague, Marco. René explains that he doesn't see the idea as so strange if we only look at the canals as roads with larger boats being akin to trucks, small motorboats to private cars and kayaks to bicycles.
In this regard, kayaking through Venice is like taking a bike tour through other cities – not so unusual, after all, then. Although, the idea is still quite unique and offers a rather different experience of Venice to the usual.
In this regard, kayaking through Venice is like taking a bike tour through other cities – not so unusual, after all, then. Although, the idea is still quite unique and offers a rather different experience of Venice to the usual.
There are several different tours, routes and packages for everyone from beginners to pros, children to adults, small groups to schools. These different packages are designed with your individual preferences, needs and skill levels in minds and can be customised to include certain areas, landmarks and sights.
Most people will choose day-trips (which generally last all day, so keep this in mind and set a day of your holiday aside for it) but there are also 3-day paddling trips, 6-day paddling trips, and a complete week-long kayaking holiday in Venice. Prices vary due to the level of customisation but you can get all the details from the Venice Kayak website.
However, all prices include all the gear – including the kayak, paddle, life vest, dry bags, etc. - as well as maps, and a bilingual (English & Italian) tour guide.
The company is based at Camping San Nicolò, a camp-site at the western end of the Lido which is a good springboard into the rest of the lagoon, with Venice itself only a half-hour paddle away. If you want to see this famous city in a whole new light, this is the way to go.
Most people will choose day-trips (which generally last all day, so keep this in mind and set a day of your holiday aside for it) but there are also 3-day paddling trips, 6-day paddling trips, and a complete week-long kayaking holiday in Venice. Prices vary due to the level of customisation but you can get all the details from the Venice Kayak website.
However, all prices include all the gear – including the kayak, paddle, life vest, dry bags, etc. - as well as maps, and a bilingual (English & Italian) tour guide.
The company is based at Camping San Nicolò, a camp-site at the western end of the Lido which is a good springboard into the rest of the lagoon, with Venice itself only a half-hour paddle away. If you want to see this famous city in a whole new light, this is the way to go.
Photo credits
picture 1: Gord Webster / CC BY 2.0
picture 1: Gord Webster / CC BY 2.0