�Oh solo mio�� The sun sets on the West Coast and the sky is glazed in pink and violet hues. A sleek Italian gondola, tied to the dock extending from Long Beach Sailing Center, awaits its guests. A bottle of California Chardonnay chills in an ice bucket with a basket of fresh bread, cheese and salami beside it. An Italian aria plays softly in the background.

A young couple, hand in hand, strolls down the dock to the awaiting boat. A tan, sandy-haired gondolier dressed in traditional red and white striped shirt and white pants, helps them into the gondola.

The gondolier pushes off from the dock, the wine is poured, a toast is made, and the couple snuggles closer as they begin their romantic journey through the scenic narrow canals of Naples Island, a picturesque waterside neighborhood in Long Beach, Calif.

Gondola Getaway is the brainchild of Michael O�Toole, a longtime resident of Naples. While studying at USC, O�Toole put together a business �on paper� for a marketing course. He had heard stories about how gondolas were used back in the early 1900s to showcase real estate on the three Naples Islands and decided that the revival of their use would make an interesting business. It worked so well on paper that O�Toole called his friend, David Black, and suggested that they give it a �real� try. A neighbor had a boat that resembled a gondola, which she used as a pot for roses. O�Toole persuaded her to let them have it and, the rest is history.

Beginning with one gondola in 1982, Gondola Getaway has 10 vessels now and about 22 part-time gondoliers, most who are college students in Long Beach.

Gondola cruises have become a favorite place for marriage proposals. �Over 300 proposals have been made since we started operation,� says O�Toole. �And so far we have a 100 percent acceptance record!�

O�Toole started a �sister city� relationship with gondoliers in Venice, Italy and he and other gondoliers make regular trips to learn gondoliering techniques, the art of gondola building and Italian language and culture. Gondola Getaway had the first American team to compete in the Venice Vogalonga Gondola races. They placed first in their class, and each year they return to share the magic of Venice with thousands of their Italian compatriots.

The route will travel from the dock at the beach to the canal entrance across Alamitos Bay. Once inside the canals of Naples, visitors will see beautiful homes and yachts in a peaceful neighborhood setting punctuated by five quaint bridges and tall palm trees. Even longtime Long Beach residents have admitted to us, after taking our cruise, they had never known these canals existed.

Gondola Getaway operates from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. One-hour cruises are $65 for two people and $15 for each additional person up to six. Groups can hire a larger gondola called the �Carolina,� for 7 to 19 passengers for the price of $20 per person Groups of 20-56 passengers pay $18 per person. Gondola Getaway is located at 5437 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. 562/433-9595, www.gondolagetawayinc.com.

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