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Learn How to Row a Rare Boat in Venice’s Canals Next Year

Dec. 16, 2018
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4 min read
batela row venice
Learn How to Row a Rare Boat in Venice’s Canals Next Year
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Want to row one of only seven remaining batela boats in the world?

The next time you’re in Venice, set aside time to learn how to row a boat from serious professionals. Row Venice is a nonprofit organization created by a group of Venetian women focused on preserving the traditional art of rowing.

They offer three different lessons: A classic Venetian Rowing Lesson, the Cichetto Row and an Evening Row in the Grand Canal. The most basic lesson will teach you how to navigate a wooden batela boat (also known as a shrimp-tailed batela) with 90 minutes of guidance for up to four people.

The Cichetto Row is great for foodies, because each ride ends at a local wine bar after a round of snacks onboard the boat. (You’ll also be joined on your tour by a bàcaro who will make sure you’re noshing on the best crostini Venice has to offer.) The last of the tour options will bring you along the Grand Canal — Venice’s largest canal — at sunset, after the traffic has thinned for the day. Aside from learning how to row the boat, you’ll also get to explore the smaller side canals of Venice.



 

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A quick note about the boat you’ll be rowing: these are not the gondolas you see on Instagram. Instead, Row Venice will teach you how to control a batela coda di gambero: a handmade vessel pictured in many classic Italian paintings. These boats began to disappear after WWII when smaller motors were introduced to tinier boats. It's said that Row Venice owns four of the seven batela boats left in the world today.

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The 17-member team offers tours between April and October (so start planning your 2019 trip to Italy now), and can even arrange to drop you off at a restaurant for dinner, if it’s along the canals. Lesson prices range from $45 to $316, depending on your tour choice and the number of people joining you. According to Row Venice, a portion of every lesson fee goes to supporting local women and young athletes, as well as a number of organizations that host workshops and activities to support Venetian rowing.

For more information on how to book your own lesson, head to the Row Venice website.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.