On a budget, weigh it — Gondola Ride isn't cheap for what it is.
~€90 / 30 min day, ~€110+ evening (per boat, up to 5–6)
Gliding the narrow inner canals where no other boat fits, under bridges with the only sound the oar — done right (quiet rii, not the Grand Canal traffic), it's the one Venice cliche that earns its reputation, especially for couples. The catch: it's a fixed ~€90 for 30 minutes (€110+ after 7pm), split it across up to 5–6 people, and a daytime ride on the busy Grand Canal is loud, wake-tossed and far less magical than the back canals.