Cozy Up for a Venetian Gondola Ride Through Providence

While many people are just starting to venture out on European vacations, you may not be quite ready yet. But you can still feel like you are visiting the canals of Venice aboard an authentic gondola on the Providence River.

Seems like there are many spots throughout Rhode Island that can actually make you feel like you have traveled to an entirely different country and downtown Providence is one of those spots. Sure, boating down the Providence River doesn’t sound super exciting at first, but what about cruising through the heart of the Renaissance City aboard a Venetian gondola? Now that sounds like a day trip you want to take.

That is more like what you get when you ride La Gondola Providence. The relaxing, sightseeing cruise has gotten rave reviews on Facebook and TripAdvisor and seems to be one of the city's most romantic attractions. Countless engagements have happened aboard La Gondola Providence and some people even take their vows while floating around the city.

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You may have noticed these gondolas while taking in a WaterFire event, but they run much more often than that. Dinner cruises for bigger groups, romantic cruises for two, even haunted ghost tour cruises are offered during the La Gondola season. Rides last about 40 minutes and give you a one-of-a-kind view of the city. Plus, each rower is like a tour guide, answering questions you may have about the sites you see.

These days, I am all about getting away without really going away and these Venetian gondola rides are right on track with that. Between the authentic canal cruise and all the amazing Italian food options a short drive away on Federal Hill, your next trip to Providence can almost check Venice vacation off your bucket list.