Venice is not for the cheap of wallet. But don't let your fiscal sensibilities stop you from enjoying one of its main attractions: the gondola ride. "What!" I hear you shriek, "100 Euros for a 45-minute ride along the canals?" While it may seem crazy to spend that kind of money on a water taxi, rest assured that you will not regret the experience. Although the Grand Canal may be more famous, Venice's quieter side canals are cozier and more comfortable for gondola rides. As you glide effortlessly through the dark waters and soak up the uniquely historic atmosphere and near visceral sense of long-ago power and drama - think 16th century courtesans and grand dinner fetes on the water - you'll be glad you partook in a pleasure that has thrilled the likes of Shakespeare and Byron, among countless others, over the centuries.