'Really regret it': Traveller dishes on iconic European experience that just isn't worth it
By Jemima Skelley|
A holiday to Venice is on a lot of peoples' bucket lists.
Sipping on espresso in the piazza, wandering over cobblestoned bridges, eating gelato while sitting by the canal - it all sounds pretty great.
But there's apparently one thing you should steer clear of, at least according to multiple travellers on Reddit.
The gondolas.
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One keen traveller took to Reddit to pose the question: "What's one tourist activity you did out of FOMO that you regretted?"
"90€ ($162) for a 25 min ride [in a] Gondola in Venice," read one of the most popular replies to the question.
"I did it out of FOMO and really regret it. Too much 'traffic', not relaxing at all, and nothing special," the commenter continued. "Yeah, maybe I should have listened to all the people that said take it either too early or during the sunset, and not on 'highways' but small canals."
The commenter adds that the next day, they took the vaporetto (the city's public water bus) at night.
"It was a way more cool experience for a fraction of the cost of a gondola ride."
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Another traveller chimed in, confirming that the vaporetto is the way to go. "The vaporetto at night along the Grand Canal (line 1) if there's an outdoor seat at the back is so good! I loved it!"
Meanwhile, a different person said that they loved their gondola experience in Venice, but they were there outside of high season, and at night.
"No one around. Silence as the gondolier took us down quiet passages. It was the perfect ending to the trip."
Other regrettable travel adventures shared in the Reddit thread included a lot of animal encounters, like the capybara cafe in Japan or elephant rides in India: "I will regret that until I die. I was told it was a must-do by my fellow travellers. I looked that elephant in his eye and have never felt more guilty."
Another person said they wished they hadn't committed to seeing New Year's Eve at Times Square in New York City. "Had to get there at like noon to get a good spot and just stood there all day. After a few hours you can barely move, let alone go to the bathroom or get food."
Other popular responses included waiting in line to see the Mona Lisa, and visiting the monkey forest in Bali despite having a phobia of monkeys.
"I was anxious the whole time, worrying they might jump on or attack me. So yeah, that would be the first and last time I do something like that."
If you do plan to visit Venice this year, 9Travel expert Sami Lukis says the best way to make the most of your time there is by doing a free walking tour.
"You'll be taken away from all the crowded tourist traps, learn about its unique history and culture and get plenty of handy local tips along the way. I booked a three-hour guided walking tour. All I had to do was register online and turn up at 9am."
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