Did you know that it is quite difficult to become a Gondolier in Venice? Not something you tend to think about but yes, it does require rigorous training with an intense final exam to obtain a license where only 3 to 4 are given out each year. These oarsmen need to be highly skilled to maneuver around canals in a slender boat that is approximately 36 feet long & weighing 1,323 lbs... not including the people in it.

Venice does not allow any cars simply due to it being a conglomerate of 117 small islands linked by 417 bridges and 177 canals. Thus, its roads are too narrow for any to fit. And if you have been to Las Vegas at the Venetian, you can gain that sense of Venice with the cobblestone-like walkways, the gondolas and even the casino. Yes, a casino. (I know it’s not the same but just go with it ☺️).

In 1638, Venice had the first public casino in the world named Casino di Venezia (Casino of Venice — pretty original). Today, it’s the world’s oldest casino. Venezia is the Italian word for “Venice” and the city influenced an Italian navigator in naming the country Venezuela, in South America, with its stilt houses on the water. Venezuela also means “little Venice” in Spanish.

Hmmm where to vacation...Venice, Vegas or Venezuela?