The 'Tourist Trap' In Italy Rick Steves Says Is Worth Paying Money For

There are so many sites to check off on an Italian getaway — from exploring the Colosseum in Rome to hiking Mount Etna in Sicily – it can be hard to know exactly where to start or what to cross off your agenda. Plus, if you are planning to travel on a budget, you'll want to make sure that you are spending your euros on experiences that are worth your while. Even though there are plenty of tourist traps around Europe to avoid, globe-trotting TV host and author Rick Steves noted that there is one in Italy, specifically in Venice, that is actually worth your time and money.

Steves noted in his post about "When To Splurge in Europe" that the gondola rides through Venice are a one of a kind experience everyone should do: "In the early evening, when the crowds are gone and the light is right, find a gondolier whose personality you enjoy, settle on a price (about $160 for 50 minutes), grab your special someone, and hop in."

Headed to Venice during your time in Italy? There's definitely a few things you'll want to know ahead of time to plan your trip accordingly.

Knowing what is a tourist trap that will zap your cash upon entry and what is actually an iconic staple that lives up to the hype in Italy can be a tough call. If you take Steves' advice to book a gondola ride in Venice, you might want to do some digging to find out if the city is one place you want to explore more than just a ride on the watery passageways.

According to the Italy Travel Plan, Venice is absolutely a must-see destination, though it isn't necessarily for everyone. While the canal city is loaded with museums, art, food, and European vibes at every turn, the city tends to draw large crowds of tourists and can be difficult to navigate on foot because there are no cars allowed in Venice.

Sure, getting by on a gondola is like, in Steve's words, "[g]liding through the dreamy tranquility of your own private Venice is an almost out-of-body experience — one you'll never forget." That said, it's not always the most efficient or easiest mode of transportation if you are looking to check out multiple sites in one day or have limited funds to spare getting around town.

Depending on what you want to see and what you can reasonably afford, you should probably plan your Venetian itinerary based on categories like architectural and historical sites, cultural experiences, and outdoor destinations to avoid making any major money mistakes while on vacation. Places like Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica can be booked in advance for about $124 per person, along with other landmarks around the city.

For food, try doing an authentic dining tradition in Venice: cicchetti. Walks Of Italy described this type meal as "...small plates of food, usually nibbled over glasses of wine and among friends in the evening or at lunchtime. Served at bàcari, small, local bars hidden all over Venice, cicchetti are cheap, ranging from about €1 to €4."

If you want everything Venice has to offer all rolled into one experience, plan your trip during Carnevale, when the city streets are flooded with music, masquerades, and parades. The festivities tend to take place in the winter months earlier in the year, with the official dates for 2026 listed as January 31st to February 17th.