Many years ago I had an opportunity to visit him and his wife Cynthia at their location and row a bit.
It was great to meet them and see an operation I'd heard so much about over the years.
I saw the first gondola built by Thom Price - complete with American flag carved on the trasto da prua.
I also saw a remarkable gondola built in New England according to much older specs. The boat was only a few years old, but she had the lines and dimensions of a gondola from the 19th Century.
She was a touch wider in the beam and both ends left the water later than current-day gondolas (as the years have passed, the curve of the gondola has increased).
From a design standpoint, this vessel was one-of-a-kind, but it was the finish that really caught my eye.
Marco had spent the winter months obsessing over the finish of his boats - painting and wet-sanding until the decks looked unbelievable.
That 19th century designed boat had a finish like a Steinway piano.
Marco and Cynthia recently sold the Providence servizio to one of their gondoliers, kept one gondola, and are doing something bold and adventurous: they're offering the gondola for hire at events around the eastern half of the country. Check out their website at:
www.gondolaus.com
The website for the Providence operation is:
www.gondolari.com
Good luck Marco.
I wish you and Cynthia great success.
2 comments:
Hello, Gondola Greg. Beverly Rose, Whidbey Island,WA here. I am organizing a fundraiser called A Year of Venice on Whidbey and want to offer gondola rides Summer 2010. We are surrounded by water and I would LOVE to either have our very own gondola or rent one for the occasion. Any suggestions? ps I am really enjoying your blog..it's the first I've ever visited! Beverly
ps. my email is bubbybev@whidbey.com
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