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Activity #1239 |
Bella Giorno - Our Standard Gondola Package |
What is the difference between your tours?
The Bella Giorno tour is longer than the standard Romanza tour, and also offers complimentary chocolates and a souvenir photograph. The Bella Notte tour is our most upscale package, offering live accordion, mandolin, or classical vocal music and a basket of cheese and crackers in addition to the features of the Bella Giorno package.
Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?
While we do welcome walk up guests during days of operation, we strongly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance. Our packages do sell out quickly, and so advance purchase helps to maximize your chance of getting the date and time you prefer.
Can I bring my own wine or champagne?
Absolutely! We do encourage you to bring aboard your own beverage to celebrate while on your very own and private gondola package. You must be of legal drinking age. Your gondolier will provide glasses, ice, ice bucket and a cork screw if necessary. Any alcohol taken aboard the gondola must be consumed or discarded before leaving the gondola. Public drinking is not allowed on the streets of The Bridge Street Town Centre. If you are intoxicated upon arrival your gondolier will not allow you to board the vessel and your tickets will not be refunded.
Can I consume alcohol elsewhere in Bridge Street Centre?
Public drinking is not allowed on the streets of The Bridge Street Town Centre. If you are bringing your own bottle of wine or champagne for your tour, please wait to open it until you are aboard the gondola!
Is the gondola authentic?
The gondola you will be riding in is 100% authentic. It was built in Venice, Italy in 2003. Most of the gondolas you will find around North America are artificial and made from plastic. Huntsville, AL now has some of the very few authentic gondolas that have left Venice!
Are there any foods or beverages available for purchase at the meeting point?
There are plenty of shops and restaurants in the Bridge Street Town Centre. If you'd like to buy foods and beverages beforehand, please allow ample time to do so before the start of your tour!
Is there parking close to the meeting location?
Yes, there are plenty of free parking spaces at the Bridge Street Town Centre. You can also have valet parking for $4.00.
What happens if it rains?
Our gondoliers watch the weather closely and will not jeopardize your safety or the safety of the gondola. The gondolier will determine whether it’s feasible to operate and if it is not your gondolier will call you and give you as much notice as possible on a cancellation. He will then proceed to assist you with a reschedule for another date. Remember, all tickets are non-refundable! Gondola packages do continue through the cold weather {we have lots of warm blankets} - we also operate in cloudy and hot weather but in heavy wind and rain we reserve the right to cancel and reschedule.
Can children come on the gondola tour?
Yes. There is no charge for a baby 2 years old or younger as long as the parent can hold the infant and is willing to put a life jacket on the infant. You need not secure a ticket for a child 2 years old or younger - just bring them along! Children 3 years and older will need a purchased ticket just like an adult passenger.
Can seniors board the gondolas easily?
Yes! Your gondolier will help you get onto the gondola safely. We take many seniors on our tours and they never have any problems.
Is the gondola wheelchair accessible?
Our gangways, ramps and docks are all ADA compliant. However the gondola itself unfortunately cannot accommodate a wheel chair. Your gondoliers are more than happy to assist anyone from a wheelchair onto the gondola. We have assisted many handicapped people aboard so that they could enjoy the gondola experience. We request that during the booking process that you make us aware of a handicapped situation so that we are fully prepared to assist.
What about bathrooms?
Although there are no bathrooms on the gondola itself, the Bridge Street Town Centre has several restroom facilities. If you need to use the restroom, we will point you in the right direction.
What is the best time of day to take the tour?
There is no such thing as a best time. Just a few guidelines! Families, seniors and groups tend to take early afternoon and daylight hour packages while couples generally take the nighttime packages for more romance and privacy.
What time is sunset?
Sunset times vary depending upon the time of year. You may use the following as guidelines. December 1 - 4:35 pm; January 17 - 5:00 pm; February 16 - 5:30 pm; March 8 - 5:49 pm; March 9 (daylight savings) - 6:50 pm; April 10 - 7:15 pm; April 29 - 7:30 pm; June 12 - 8:00 pm; August 4 - 7:45 pm; August 18 - 7:30 pm; September 10 - 7:00 pm; October 1 - 6:30 pm; October 24 - 6:00 pm; November 1 - 5:52 pm; November 2 (daylight savings) - 4:51 pm; December 1 - 4:35 pm.
Do you have any souvenirs or special gifts I can purchase?
You may purchase a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne or La Bella Gondola customized wine glass gift sets while purchasing your tickets. Other souvenirs include in-stock bottle messages for special occasions at $25, or customized bottle messages for $45. If you are interested in bottle messages or other types of souvenirs like hats and shirts, please "contact this seller".
What do you do for marriage proposals?
We have the most memorable and romantic way to pop the question! "Contact this seller" if you are looking to propose, and we will share all the secret details with you.
Is the gondola safe?
Yes! Our gondola is fully equipped with all of the safety standards required by the US Coast Guard.
Will I get seasick?
Probably not. Over the years that we have been providing gondola services, no one has ever been seasick. The gondola is pretty steady on the water, and you shouldn't have a problem. If you have a tendency towards motion sickness, please take preventative measures beforehand.
What if I have a professional photographer?
We can accommodate photographers on your gondola tour. Please "contact this seller" and we will work out the details with you.
Do you sell gift certificates?
Yes! If you are interested in purchasing a gift certificate for a private gondola package, please "contact this seller".
How many people can come on a gondola tour?
An authentic Venetian gondola such as ours can carry up to 6 passengers. Remember, the packages are for 2 people and it is private, so you will have the gondola to yourselves. If you choose to bring aboard up to 4 additional guests, a $15 charge will be added for each passenger.
Are there any restaurants at the Bridge Street Town Centre?
Yes! The Bridge Street Town Centre has some of the finest dining in all of Alabama. Please call 256.327.8400 for more information on restaurants in the area.
Do I have to wear a life jacket?
Only children 8 years and younger are required to wear a life jacket. If you want to wear one, no problem! Your gondolier will provide one for you. Our gondola is fully equipped with all the safety standards required by the US Coast Guard.
Can a gondola tip over?
Due to the way a gondola is asymmetrically constructed it is extremely difficult to tip. We have provided gondola experiences for nearly 10 years and have never seen a gondola tip over. The gondola is no canoe - canoes tip and gondolas simply do not!
What should I wear on the gondola tour?
Most people come aboard dressed upscale casual, but you can wear whatever is comfortable for you. We recommend that women NOT wear high heels due to angled gangways - we wouldn't want you to break a heel!
Do I have to kiss someone under the bridge?
Yes! It is tradition that you kiss under every bridge while aboard a gondola and usually it’s your significant other. A kiss is said to bring good luck! Roberto our lead gondolier can provide kisses to those ladies that do not get kissed; he is a real charmer.
What happens if I come late?
Sorry, but you must be on time. If you are late, your tour will be cut short because there is usually a tour scheduled following every private package. Please arrive 10 minutes early so that your tour can start right on time!
Do gondolas have motors?
No, your gondolier is your own source of energy! Your gondolier is highly trained and skilled to row the gondola Venetian style (Voga).
How much should I tip the gondolier?
It is not mandatory to tip your gondolier, but if you enjoyed your tour, a tip is much appreciated! Your gondolier will provide you with passion and an experience that you will never forget. Most people leave a tip in the range of 20% of the gondola package price.
Do celebrities ever ride the gondola?
Presidents, kings and queens, and even Garth Brooks have come aboard gondolas to celebrate! Treat a special person to a gondola package, you won't regret it.
What about weddings on the gondola?
Private weddings on a gondola are very intimate and unique. We will help you plan a customized ceremony and our lead gondolier Roberto also has the credentials to make it an official marriage! Please "contact this seller" and we will assist you with making your day an unforgettable experience.
Will there be other people on our gondola package?
No, our gondola packages are private and you will have the gondola to yourselves.
What is a public gondola tour?
A public gondola tour is offered during the day for groups of up to 6 people. These are short 15 minute tours where small groups of different people are put on the gondola together, usually young children and families. These tours are NOT PRIVATE, and only run when there are no private packages already scheduled. You cannot bring alcohol on these tours and we do not take advanced bookings for these tours - if you want to do a public tour, just come to the Bridge Street Town Centre and hope for the best! If you are celebrating a special day such as an anniversary, birthday or any special occasion we discourage you from experiencing the gondola this way - book a private package instead!
