Was told that trick by a Venetian. At the time (10 years ago), the official going rate was

about 70 euros for an hour trip. If you went to the usual spots they were asking 180 to 200 and people were paying it. So we tried my mate's advice and negotiated 45 minutes for 70, which is long enough.

And it's not like you get some dodgy Gondolier. There are a finite number of licenses (a strange number like precisely 462 or something) and they are handed down from father to son. Getting into the business means lots of training and waiting until somebody retires or dies without passing their spot down to the next generation.

Posted By: Steve in Holland, Sep 12, 14:51:01