Met at the gondola workshop where Damiano and his crew recover and restore traditional Venetian boats. They also teach traditional rowing techniques! Damiano is one of the few maestri d'ascia .... someone who preserves the art of building gondolas. Nicola was our instructor. First, we learned about the the boats and tools used to row. Then, we got into one of the gondolas and practiced rowing around some of the back canals that weren't very busy. So fun. Much better experience than paying for someone to take us on a gondola ride around Venice. Also, very reasonably priced. Wish I could submit photos with this review but since it is provisional (not accepted as an activity on tripadvisor yet), not an option.

We had a blast learning to row the traditional Venetian boats with Emiliano. The canals he took us to were charming and quaint and showed us the day to day life of Venetians. We are so glad we chose to do this unique excursion rather than your typical touristy gondola rides thru the congested traffic of the grand canal. Thanks so much Emi for showing us this slice of Venetian life. We are so grateful we got to spend the day with you!

My boyfriend and I had a lovely time with this experience. It was just the two of us and it was a romantic experience. I am sorry I can't remember the name of the gentleman who taught us on how to row the boat. He was very nice, friendly and very professional. He also suggested a few places to try traditional Italian food. The day was very warm and having done this at the end of the day helped us to fight the hot weather. We've booked this through Airbnb which we found out to be more expensive than the website - so a recommendation is please book it through the website if you are looking to save some pennies. Thank you guys for providing us with this experience. We will definitely recommend this.

We were looking for something different while we were here and am so pleased we found this on Trip Advisor!! This was a highlight of the trip. It started with a quick tour of their boat restoring workshop and then off to the canals. We were on a sturdy flat bottomed boat. After a fast lesson we were up and rowing. Our guide steered on the rear (an amazing job) and we propelled the boat forward taking turns. It’s not difficult and if you get tired the guide will take over. Great way the see lesser known canals and neighborhoods. Also, the tours allows them to continue restoring these fascinating heritage boats

Thoroughly enjoyed our gondola session with Emiliano today, he was friendly, chatty and taught us a lot about the areas we rowed through. We also managed to stop off and grab a coffee at a lovely local coffee shop in the middle of the session. The company are very passionate about their trade and work as a not for profit company which makes it even more worthwhile to spend some time with them and learn about how they restore the old boats. Would 100% recommend. They also have super cute dogs who joined us on board for a bit! Thank you!

My wife and I love Venice and visit every two years for the Biennale. This time we thought we’d try something different and booked on this gondoliering lesson. It helped that it was a beautiful evening and we had a very enthusiastic guide who taught us the basics of rowing and steering a gondola, although I am pleased to note that he was always in control of the back of the boat. Thoroughly enjoyable and educational, we also visited their workshop where they restore old boats to pristine condition. Highly recommended

When visiting foreign cities, we always look for something less "touristy", and found this opportunity. Because of airline issues we were likely going to be late, so I called and they said "no problem". We arrived a few minutes late, but since this is a personal tour anyway, we we received their full attention. My wife & I were somewhat apprehensive since we are not avid boaters, but that was not an issue. We toured the back canals of Venice, taking short turns on the rowing part, but that was never an issue. The tour was informative and a relaxing way to start our 10 day Italy vacation.

This was an amazing experience. You walk away from the centre of Venice and it already feels more ‘real’. Arriving at the workshop you feel linked to Venice’s past. Our guide explained the different types of Venetian boats (over 30 of them) before we set off. A quick lesson and we had a go ourselves with our guide rowing with us the whole time. It was very exciting to be out and about. We even had the chance to buy fish from another boat. It felt as if people on the banks were looking at is enviously! So much better than being in a gondola.

The perfect way to see Venice, and feel that by supporting Venice on Board we are in a very small way supporting Venice for venetians. A wooden boat lovingly restored is indeed a beautiful thing and you can see the love they put into restoring both the boats and the art of rowing and sailing in Venice. It was enormous fun too, and even a grudging teenager enjoyed learning to row. We loved travelling down quiet back canals, and learning about Venice. Thank you Emiliano and thank you for your fantastic recommendation for lunch. We look forward to trying our hand at Venetian rowing in Oxford and a return visit to Veniceonboard.

Recently went sailing on a very cool wooden boat with Allesandro and Nicolo out into the lagoon around Venice. Sailed all around and visited an old fort and stopped at another island for lunch. Don't spend all your time on the streets and canals in the city bucking the crowds. See it from a different perspective. Highly recommend this trip.

Really fun experience away from typical tourist attractions. A talk and boat ride with a couple of local lads along the canals. The guys were very knowledgeable about the cities history along with the history of the boats and boat making itself. They taught each of us how to row like a venetian and taking us around parts of the city unseen by many tourists. Truly beautiful. The experience was brilliant all around. Would recommend to anyone of any age size or ability when visiting Venice.

Nicola - Samantha and I can't thank you enough for accommodating our crazy journey to get to your shop! We have an amazing sunset picture and as we left, Samantha said "I thought Burano and Murano were my favorite, but now it is definitely rowing. She has never had much interest in my canoe. But, she said as soon as we get back to Texas, you are taking me canoeing! She thought the experience of rowing on the water, and feeling the water and relaxing was amazing. Thanks again- I think you may have started a 13 year old on a journey to row boats in the future!!

I had an amazing time on this trip. Definitely worth doing! At first it was a little hard to find the workshop where the trip starts, so allow yourself an extra 10 minutes to get there (ask the locals if stuck) - and it's worth being early anyway to talk to the guys in the workshop about the boats, smell the wood, and soak it up! It's a wonderful place. The guys taking us were inspiring in their passion for Venice, the history of the boats etc. They were really calm & I felt very safe with them in the busier canals. It was very relaxing going down the quieter rivers. The guys were extremely encouraging and I felt like I was making progress with the rowing - though they were being kind! We stopped off for a coffee during the trip, Nicola's treat, which was a fun experience jumping over boats to get to the coffee shop. It really was a highlight of my time in Venice, and I wish I'd had longer in Venice to be able to go again.... & again! This is definitely an experience which has me wanting to go back. Don't miss it!

Very personal and enjoyable experience. 70%of their clients are local and so it is unique and personal.

We had a great time learning how to row along the canals of Venice, a real experience and one to remember for a long time, friendly, knowledgeable staff who have a real enthusiasm for boat restoration and keeping this culture alive in Venice, keep up the great work! #NoGrandiNavi