When you think of Venice, typically your first thought is of the iconic gondola. These traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boats glide along the grand canal and the many quiet canals traversing the islands that make up this city. You can enjoy watching the over 400 glossy, black gondolas silently passing under the numerous bridges, occasionally hearing the echo of a gondolier serenade.

Gondoliers dress in the official “uniform” of navy or red striped shirts, dark pants and often the iconic straw boater. An official clothing store at the foot of the Rialto bridge, Emillio Ceccato, sells the authentic items. Gondola stations can be found throughout Venice and you can usually find a group of gondoliers waiting for the next passenger.  During a delightful day with Elizabeth Rainer, one of the three contributors to “My Pretty Venice,” a guide to finding Venetian artisans and experiences, we stopped at S. Polo #60 off the Rialto Bridge to find the shoes often called gondolier slippers or le furlane.