Asymmetric Gondolas

On a recent trip to Venezia (Venice) I was fascinated to see that gondolas lean. They all have one side much larger than the other. The gondoliers only have one oar, which acts as a rudder as well, and having an asymmetric boat means the gondola is more likely to go in a straight line, assuming you row right-handed.

Venice gondolas - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

We check the price and it’s €80 for a 30 minute gondola trip, which made me spin in circles for a while until we realised we can get a shared gondola across the Grand Canal for €2 each.

Result.

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