Italy Weekend: Vogalonga

We meet in Venice! How romantic is that?! Check into the hotel and join us in the afternoon for a meeting and boat preparation followed by our welcome dinner. Yes, you can have prossecco and pasta if you wish.

The official start of the Vogalonga is at 9 am. An early start is needed to have coffee and breakfast, launch the boats and row to St. Mark’s. A cannon starts the rowing! Of we go with about 1,800 other rowing shells, mascarete (traditional Venetian rowing), kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards. Each of our four boats will row at their own pace, being sure to take photos and enjoy the experience as you traverse lagoons and row through the canals of Burano and Murano. Following the distinctive Venetian route markers is essential, otherwise you might end up stuck on a sand bank! The grand finale is a return to the main island, into Canoreggio.  It gets really congested now as you row back to St. Mark’s and the finish line where you will receive your participation certificate and medal. Then a final row to Lido where helping hands will be waiting to help lift the boats from the water.  Time to celebrate that evening with our final dinner.  Congratulations!

Linger in Venice for as long as you want. As you take the ferry back to the mainland, give a wistful glance to the busy waterways, and remember what it was like when rowing ruled these waters!