The Gondola

Upon doing a little research, I discovered Venice takes their gondolas very seriously. These boats originated about 1000 years ago. They were designed with a flat bottom in order to travel through the shallow water of the canals. It also allows the bout to be manned by a single gondolier. 

Being a gondolier is a tradition passed down form father to son. There is a strict exam that must be passed. You must be able to handle the boat, navigate the inner canals, and know the history of Venice's landmarks. In fact, there are only about 400 licensed gondoliers in Venice. All of them have been men, until recently. The first female gondolier has finally claimed her rightful spot amongst the men, breaking 900 years of tradition.