By Michael Day (The Independent) Venice has had to endure much over the ages: invading armies, constant floods and marauding tourists. But the evocative lagoon port has drawn the line at the latest assault – the arrival of fibreglass gondolas. A shipyard in southern Italy has offered a low-cost, wipe-clean version of the famous boat, which it says is an exact replica of the wooden original but with the added advantages of weather-resistance and easy-maintenance. But authorities said the low-rent gondolas would be the final straw for a city that already risks turning into a Disney version of itself. Aldo Reato, head of the Venice Ente Gondola association said the idea was "outrageous". "We gondoliers will oppose this in every way possible. The idea of a 'plastic' gondola is unthinkable and I'm sure the whole world would agree," he said. "Aside from tradition and city regulations the idea of a fibreglass gondola is impractical because this is not some...