So Vegas afforded us not only a faux Paris trip, but a faux Venice one, too. The Venetian is such a masterpiece that it absolutely inspired us to take a real Venice trip one day, when we have the time and can afford it. After all, I’m guessing that if the façade alone in Vegas is this romantic, there must be no words for the real thing. 
We couldn’t help but say yes to a gondola ride there. There are two options for rides at the Venetian: a 14 minute half-mile one along the Grand Canal and Shoppes or the shorter 12 minute ride outdoors. It was a lovely breezy night, so we couldn’t resist the outside path, even if it was shorter. It seems nothing in Vegas comes cheap though. A private gondola ride will set you back $60 or $30 per couple if you share the gondola with two other people, since they seat up to 4 in total. Either way, it’s a lovely thing to do and we thought it was worth it:
We even kissed under the bridge, which is supposed to be good luck, right?
Hands down, the best part of the whole thing was Giacomo, our gondolier, who serenaded us first with two sweet songs never before heard by us, and then ended the ride most spectacularly by doing a rendition of Nessun Dorma that just melted my heart. Romantic indeed.
Of course, we couldn’t have left without the obligatory purchase of “official” photos. Corny? Yes. Priceless? That, too:
You guys look so happy 
One of the reasons that I knew my FI was the guy for me was because the first conversation we had was about how romantic Italy is (pretty much all of it) and that we had both vowed never to go back without a romantic partner in crime to accompany us:) I really hope you will get to experience the real thing together; you will never forget it! In the meantime, your pics are adorable:)
Venice is amazing and I hope you get to go together some day. Alas, many of the gondoliers there are more of the talking-on-their-cell-phone variety than the lovely-singing variety, so I am glad you got to have the “classic” experience.
I’m not sure how kissing under the “Bridge of Sighs” (the real one) got to be equated with good luck, b/c it is so named because prisoners crossing over that bridge into the infamous prison (and certain death) on the other side would “sigh” as they took their last look at the city. Maybe it’s like whistling in the dark or throwing salt over your shoulder when it spills.
But you guys don’t any gimmicks anyway– you only have to see your huge smiles to know that luck has already found you!
So adorable. It would be dangerous for me to honeymoon in Vegas, though, I tell ya. All that distracting shopping…
Dn’t worry, we bought the corny picture of the gondola ride as well! And the picture is still proudly displayed in our house!
Mrs. Petunia, Ft. Lauderdale
Age and Occupation: 31, College Professor
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Engineering Student/Part-time Barista
Engagement Date: December 8, 2006
Wedding Date: March 2, 2008
Venue: Riverside Hotel
Blogging Since: August 6, 2007
About Me: Our original idea of running off to get married quickly turned into an event with 100+ guests once other people got involved and I, too, got swept away in the lovely madness that is wedding planning. Mr. Petunia and I are obsessed with all things World of Warcraft, Monopoly, and Nintendo, so we’re planning on including some fun “game-y” details into our wedding.
Aw — how sweet!
Did you visit the Jimmy Choo store in the mall? Or have gelato?
Nessun Dorma is by far one of my favorite classical song. I can only imagine how romantic that was!