Venice is one of those cities that captivates even the most well-traveled backpacker who’s seen it all. There is so much going on here on a daily basis that it’s almost impossible to not become intrigued by the little details around you.

One of my favorite things to do in Venice is hail a taxi. It’s not your typical yellow taxi one finds in New York. No, this taxi rides along the water and is run by the coolest people in Venice. It’s the best way to travel in style and it’s not just the boat that makes it my favorite way to get around town. The taxi drivers are the real entertainment and they aren’t afraid of showing it. Taxis are not the same as taking a Venice gondola ride.

Based on my observations, there are a few mandatory requirements for all taxi drivers in Venice. You must be tanned, you must drive with a firm and regal stance and most importantly, you must be on the phone at all times looking as though you are making life changing deals. And you can’t forget about the sunglasses. The flashier, the better.

It seems that while these water taxi drivers were clearly making my ride much more enjoyable than I anticipated, it was their beloved iPhones that continued to demand their attention. We live in a tech-loving world and Venetian taxi drivers are no exception. 

The Prince of Venice

Sonia Gil hosts a weekly original web travel series called Sonia's Travels. Each trip turns into a series of shows in which Sonia offers a small idea or tip about a place and the people who live there. New Episodes Premiere Every Thursday at 12 noon (9:00 am Pacific) and new Vlogs every Monday.