Yes, we're going to take one of the cheesey, touristy gondola rides while in Venice. (My first trip there, and I want the whole experience!) I was just wondering people's thoughts on whether the ride is better during the day, when you can see all the scenery, etc. or at night, more romantic, etc.?
Any input would be appreciated.

Hi alm,

The best time is a bright, moonlit night.

Second best is at dusk.

Please don't be embarrassed about taking a gondola ride! It was the highlight of our trip and worth every penny. We went about an hour before sunset, when the light does these indescribable things to the water.

By all means Dusky Dark -- preferably with wine!

Ohhhh, it is not cheesy with the right person and the right gondolier!

I agree, go at dusk, just at sunset, take some prosecco and toast to life and to love!!

Thanks so much for the replies. I'm looking forward to the ride with my lovely wife, and the ride at dusk certainly sounds great.
Thanks again.

Riding a gondola in Las Vegas is cheesy. Riding in a gondola in Venice is not cheesy--UNLESS you do it as a part of a tour group flotilla of gondolas that are massed together in a big blob dodging vaporetti and other motorized water traffic on the Grand Canal.

The gondola gives visitors a chance to see parts of Venice that most people don't even suspect exist. Don't take the ride on the Grand Canal--the vaporetto is much better suited for that. Get into the smaller, less known canals. Just find a gondolier you like and tell him that you want to travel the smaller canals.

High tide and low tide are generally not the best times to hire a gondola. If the tide is too high, there are many routes the gondolier can't take because of low bridges. If the tide is too low, you'll be looking at the parts of the canals and buildings that are usually underwater--this is not especially romantic.

Yes, dusk, around sunset.