AFTER nine centuries of keeping women on dry land, Venice has broken with tradition by approving its first female gondolier.

Giorgia Boscolo, 23, a mother of two, came through a gruelling course, which included 400 hours of instruction, to enter an all-male club that has resisted admitting women. "I am immensely happy and proud, but today my day starts like every other, taking the children to school," she said.

"I've always loved gondolas and unlike my three sisters I preferred to row with my father instead of going out with my friends."