2 European Tourist Attractions Rick Steves Believes Are Worth The Splurge

Rick Steves has spent 40 years exploring Europe and has built his reputation as America's go-to expert on budget travel. He's the author of more than 50 guidebooks on European travel, and he tests every hotel, transit option, and attraction himself. So when he says you would enjoy splurging on a certain experiences, you better believe him. Steves also weighs cost against cultural value. This is how he figured out which tourist traps in Europe to avoid, and how he knows that flying "open jaws" can save you money on airfare. His hands-on research helps travelers stretch their dollars without missing out on authentic experiences.

Steves has built his reputation on frugal travel, but he knows when it pays to spend a little extra. For instance, on his website, he argues that well-chosen splurges deliver the best return on your trip. The travel expert calls these deliberate splurges and he highlighted two particularly worthy options; a 50-minute gondola ride in Venice, and a private night-time taxi tour of Paris. Steves says it costs him $160 for 50 minutes on the gondola, and $65 for one hour on the taxi tour.

Gondolas have sailed the Venice canals for centuries. Their signature black paint dates back to a 1562 law that banned bright colors so that nobles couldn't compete with excessive decorations. By the 1600s, over 10,000 gondolas filled the city's waterways, and, as of 2024, about 433 licensed gondoliers, per The Guardian, keep the tradition alive. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) honors gondolas as part of Italy's living heritage.

While Venice can be considered overpriced, the city does set clear gondola fares, so you can easily plan your budget. Since 2023, the City of Venice charges €90 (or around $102, as of June 2, 2025) for a 30 minute private ride between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., and €110 (around $124) for 35 minutes between 7 p.m. and 4 a.m. This price included the entire boat — not each person — and a gondola can hold up to five people. Splitting the cost five ways, you're looking at about $17 to $20 per person.

You can also join a small flotilla serenade that will cost from €52 (or around $59) per seat. If you want a private singer, or a bottle of prosecco, Vivovenetia lists a private evening ride at €154 ($176), or the same ride with prosecco at €210 ($240), and with a serenade at €374 (around $427). Always check the ride length, and confirm any add-ons before boarding. Gondoliers usually expect cash payment (unless you booked online), and a €5 to €10 (around $6 to $11) tip is polite but not required.

Paris earned its "City of Light" nickname long before the Eiffel Tower. After the first public gas lamps blazed along Rue de Rivoli and Place du Carrousel in 1829, nightfall itself became a spectacle in the city. Guidebook writers have kept the night light tradition alive — with even Rick Steves' Paris guides urging travelers to hire a cab to trace the city's flood-lit monuments after dark.

Planning your budget for the Paris by Night Taxi Tour is easy. According to the French Republic, the 2025 minimum taxi ride fare is €8 (around $9, as of June 2, 2025), with an added €1.29 (around $1.50) per kilometer (or 0.62 miles). According to Taxigator, a leisurely 25-kilometre meander — roughly the radius needed to circle the city's big riverfront monuments — lands around €48 to €50 (or $55 to $57).

If you'd rather take a longer route, France Private Tour quotes a private excursion for about €200 (around $230) for a 90-minute circuit that hits the Louvre, Vendôme, Champs-Élysées, and the Eiffel Tower. At the top end, luxury van companies that come with leather seats, a guide-driver, and chilled water, start around €400 (or $450) for a roughly two and a half hour long illuminations tour, per Best of France Tours.