Venice Kayak

Venice Kayak often receives feedback and comments from participants of our tours.  Here are some  of these comments.

Kobie Johnson (US Military) – daytrip in May 2009:

We took this Venice Kayak tour, led by Rene, 19 May 2009.

It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had!
I work in the outdoor recreation field and have had many unique experiences around the world but hardly any have compared to kayaking through the Venice Canals. Come on people, when will you ever get a chance to do that?

Rene was not only a patient trip leader and alot of fun, but also so informative. He is highly educated on Venician history and culture.

Keep in mind that this is a fairly new activity so you have the chance to be one of the first to kayak through the canals.

I will be bringing my customers to share this same unique experience.

Thanks Rene, 5 stars!

Neil (Canada) – daytrip in April 2009:

Here is Ysabelle near the Rialto bridge on the Grand Canal. The boat traffic on the Grand Canal was intimidating at first. It felt like trying to cross highway 401 on a motor scooter … at rush hour! But Rene was an excellent guide and boldly led the way.

…

I highly recommend paddling with Rene if you get to Venice. You will have the trip of a lifetime.

[Read the full review at http://nfldkayak.blogspot.com/2009/05/kayaking-in-venice-italy.html]

Onno & Wim (Netherlands) – daytrip in August, 2009:

This is it. Out of a kayak, the city is more bellissima and serenissima than ever; it will never look the same again. Only after you have riden on the tidal waves from Lido to the Arsenale, glit silently through incredible narrow canals and been trapped in an uncomparable traffic jam of gondolas and watertaxis, have padddled to San Giorgio Maggiore and deep into the south lagoon, you’ll really start to understand what Venice is all about.

Marco, our guide, deserves the name San Marco. He’s probably the nicest person in town, and you feel safe with him anytime anywhere.

Thanks!

Bill (Australia) – daytrip in April, 2009:

Rene, just to let you know, the kayak tour on 19/4/09 was the highlight of my five weeks in Italy. The photo you took of myself in the kayak, with the Rialto bridge in the background, sits in pride of place on my desk. It picks up my spirits when the workday gets long and boring.

I have been watching the website and your business seems to be doing well. Lots of very happy customers like me. It is good to see it, you deserve the success.

Please let me know when the 2010 Venice schedule will start.

Andrea (Germany) – daytrip in August, 2009:

Thank you very much for the wonderfull impressions! I was very afraid of kayaking – my kayaking-experiences were very long ago – and as I saw the lagoon, the traffic and the waves, I nearly wanted to cancel the trip. But thank you for taking me with you! You made me calm and feeling save. It is possible to do the trip for nearly everyone – I made it. You are a very good guide! I’m looking forward for the photos you took: in the canals, under the Rialto bridge, in the lagoon… I am proud of me.

Helene (Canada) – daytrip in September, 2009:

Thank you Rene for an amazing adventure in Venice. What better way to see a city on water? You took such good care of your group, making sure we followed you like little ducklings on the most beautiful waterways in the world. I will never forget the experience and I am very grateful to you for making it possible.

Michael (US Military) – daytrip in June 2009:

This was my third trip to Venice, and by far the best. Before a friend recommended Rene, I was content with never seeing the place again. But come on, it’s kayaking the canals! I have now fallen in love with the city. Seeing the city the way the ancient Venetians did (by boat, if not kayak) was truly eye opening. Rene knows a ridiculous amount of history about everything Venetian, and could answer even the most random of questions. Watching the massive crowds of San Marco’s from the relative solitude of the water was refreshing and made me feel sorry for the poor schmucks who had to walk everywhere. You kinda feel like a rockstar because every tourist there is taking pictures of you as you coast under their feet on the bridges, and every conversation you overhear is “that would be so much fun! We gotta do that!” Well, we did. And it was awesome. Do it.

Paul (USA) – daytrip in June 2009:

Our recent trip to Italy included 2 days in Venice. The first day was spent seeing the sights in the traditional ways- walking, vaporetto, etc. For the second day we hired a guide who supplied us kayaks and other gear, and we took to the water.

We started from the island of Lido and crossed the shipping channels and lagoon and paddled a total of 11 miles around the city, in large canals and small rio’s, with gondolas and motor boats, and back to Lido. Our guide, Rene Seindal (a friendly Dane who speaks excellent English and Italian), was crucial to our having a good experience there. Not only did he supply us with top quality gear, he also brought a wealth of knowlege of history, Venice navigational rules, and general knowlege of Venice.

[read the full review at http://www.coastals.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7159]

Colman (Ireland) – daytrip in April 2009:

If your debating going kayaking while in Venice then debate no more. My girlfriend and I went for the day with Rene two weeks ago and it was an experience I will never forget. Exercise, professional lessons, detailed and historical tours are just some of the things you are guaranteed with this man. He is also very friendly and easy to spend a day with. you get to pick your own tour areas, change them on a whim mid tour and get out of kayaks for breaks to get a closer look at anything you want. Abandoned islands off the beaten track, neglected archaeology sites, island hopping and much more fun. I have already recommended him to friends travelling to Venice in sept. By far the best value for money I had on the whole trip. this is a must. don’t miss it!
enjoy!

Imke (Netherlands)  – daytrip in May 2009:

About a week ago Willie and I had THE experience in Venice. In the kayak behind you.
We loved it!
I realise now, by telling my friends at home, that this day was the peak day in my holiday…

Josephine and Sebastien (UK and France) – daytrip  and Vogalonga, May 2009:

Sebastien and I would like to thank- you for the tour on Saturday and for our Vogalonga experience !!!! We really enjoyed it despite the conditions on Sunday- all the more challenging.

We will definately recommend you to our kayaking community here in London and hope to be back.

Vogalonga 2010 is in the diary !!( maybe with not so much wind!)

Bob (USA) – daytrip in April 2009

Our entire trip was awsome, but kayaking was definetly one of the highlights.

Take care and good luck withyour kayaking venture!

Eric and Deb (USA) – evening paddle in September 2008:

In September of 2008, my wife and I stumbled into a wonderful opportunity we could not have imagined. We were fortunate enough to be able to join Venice Kayak on a fantastic journey. We paddled kayaks from Lido Island to the island of Murano where we parked our them and walked through town, taking in as much as we could of the culture and the heritage of glass blowing for which the island is famous. It was amazing! We got back together several hours later and paddled to another island and a great little restaurant where we shared stories and an excellent meal with the group. After dark we paddled back across and traveled through Venice’s waterways including the Grand Canal. WOW! Not only was it utterly spectacular, but the land-bound tourists hailed us as heros as we paddled past for undertaking such an adventure. It was the greatest feeling to be so “in touch” with the famed canal system, and then to be revered by the foot traffic made it even more memorable. Venice Kayak ha s opened up an ecological, non touristy feeling method of experiencing Venice as no one ever has before. I even coined a new phrase in memory of the adventure. When in Rome, do as the romans. When in Venice, do as the Danish! With gratitude for the incredible opportunity, and hope for your future success in this endeavor, Eric and Deb

Ashley (USA) – daytrip in May 2008:

Thanks again for a fantastic trip.  Your new business is going to be a huge success!