Embarking on a trip of a lifetime can be equal parts exciting and daunting. On the one hand, you can not wait to get out into the world and explore what it has to offer. There is so much to see, to try and to take in.

On the other hand, visiting new places can become overwhelming. What hot spots are worth hitting, and which should you take a pass on? Vacationing in major tourist locations can become a week's worth of enduring tourist traps, and that's no fun.

So, which places are worth the trouble?

If Italy is on your bucket list, here are twenty locations considered to be tourist traps, but in our opinion are definitely worth the visit.

20 The Venice Gondola Rides Are A Rite Of Passage

You can't go all the way to Venice, Italy, and not hop on a gondola at least once or twice. Gondolas are the jelly to Venice's peanut butter. Are you going to have to wait in line and pay a fee to experience this touristy treat? Probably. Is it going to be a memory that lasts a lifetime? Yes!

19 Pompeii Is Busy, But A Must

If you are planning on touring Pompeii, and you should work this into any Italian trek, then make sure you leave several hours to get everything you will want out of this tourist favorite. Tours here last around two hours, but most people claim that a good three to four hours is ideal.

18 Lake Como Is A Great Place To Spot A Celebrity

Beautiful Lake Como is a popular place for tourists and celebrities alike, and we get it. It's a magnificent spot to relax and take in the Italian sights and scenes. If you go here in the high season, it's bound to be packed. Try working in a Lake Como visit in sunny months that are a bit cooler. You'll avoid the crowds, but not the beauty.

17 Duomo Is A Florence Staple

If art, Renaissance-inspired mainly, is your jam, then you will be willing to battle any crowd to get a glimpse of this magnificent Florence space.  You won't be the only gawker here on any given day, but you will be glad that you got to see all this place has to offer up close and personal.

16 Palazzo Vecchio Draws In Tourists For Good Reason

This popular Florence favorite is a must-do for nearly all visitors of the city. You'll be transported back in time while exploring the city's town hall. With so much beauty and history crammed into one stunning space, you might not even notice all of your fellow tourists doing the same.

15 You Can't Do Italy Without Doing The Leaning Tower Of Pisa

Get ready to battle your way through crowds of people trying to capture some selfie magic in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. When in Tuscany, travelers have to at least peek at the Pisa. Skipping it would be like staying in Italy and not eating pasta or pizza. It's just part of the Italian experience.

14 Trevi Fountain Is A Look, Don't Touch Tourist Hotspot

The Trevi Fountain is an Italian staple that is worth checking out. Between the hours of twelve and seven, it's likely going to be crowded with other visitors, but it will still be worth it. If crowds turn you off, try checking it out early in the day, right after it gets cleaned.

The Italian island of Capri, a favorite place with celebrities like Beyonce, will probably be packed, but the site is so visually gratifying, you won't mind a bit. Weekends will be particularly busy, so fitting a day trip in here during a weekday might give you more Capri with fewer bodies.

12 Saturnia In Tuscany Is A Spa Town Haven So Pretty You Won't Mind The Crowds

One quick look at this place, and you'll know why it is consistently packed with crowds of bathers. You'll also quickly learn that it is well worth the droves of people who come here to relish in the spas and serenity. Avoiding crowds won't be easy, but touring during times not considered to be "peak times" may help.

11 Romeo And Juliet's Balcony Is Worth The Wait

Fight your way through the wall to wall people to get a glimpse of Juliet's balcony. It's considered to be a mega-tourist trap, but literary buffs won't be able to leave it alone. At least the visit will be free, so you have that going for you when you check out this tourist trap in Verona.

10 The Colosseum Will Give You Adventure And Education, Regardless Of How Packed It Gets

The Colosseum in Rome is another Italian tourist trap worth going to. Don't skip this historical haven; instead, try to check it out during low periods of tourism. Visitors can also pay for a guide to help them navigate this place, and skip some of the lines. It might cost more, but it might also be worth it.

9 Most Travelers Can't Pass On The Vatican

People who have spent time wandering The Vatican have claimed that there is no perfect time to hit this place up and have it all to yourself. It's always going to be bustling. It is Rome's most popular destination, and it is one that you'll want to brave crowds for. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days where traffic might be slightly less.

8 Centro Storico & the Spanish Steps Is A Hub Of Italian Action You Won't Want To Miss

You won't be the only tourists trying to get some serious facetime with Centro Storico & the Spanish Steps.  Located in the center of commercial activity, this tourist trap is one you won't want to pass on. Just accept that it will be busy, and try and enjoy all that there is to offer. Have some vino, and take it all in.

7 The Catacombs and Via Appia Antica Are Interesting Enough To Brave The Droves Of Tourists For

Tha underground Catacombs of Rome and Sicily are worth the lines and waits. Most people will have never experienced anything like this before, so don't board your plane without checking them out. The only tourists who might want to opt-out of this experience are ones with claustrophobia.

6 Palatine Hill Gives A Glimpse Of Rome's Earliest Settlement

Palentine Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome, is a tourist attraction that will captivate even the most anti-touristy traveler. It is often regarded as the founding site of modern-day Rome and is thought to have been standing since 753 B.C. It is an archeological wonder worth the crowds.

5 Museo Egizio, Turin Is A Treasure Trove Of Egyptian Artifacts Worth Seeing

Wandering through museums is not everyone's cup of vacation tea, but the Museo Egizio is one museum that all Italian vacationers will want to work into their agenda. You won't want to miss out on relishing in the Egyptian archaeology and treasures housed there. In 2015 this place received nearly 800,000 visitors.

4 Villa d’Este In Tivoli Gives Tourists An Italian Renaissance Like No Other

Two words of advice for Italian vacationers: Go. Here. Villa d’Este In Tivoli dates back to the 26th century, and will not disappoint. It draws in tons of visitors every year looking for the Renaissance experience. This place is seriously something to behold, so don't be frightened off by the herds of people.

3 Venice's St. Mark's Square Is A Place That People Can't Stay Away From

St. Mark's Square is the place to be when touring through Venice. There is so much to do and see here, and while it is considered to be a major tourist trap, it's worth checking out, even for a small period of time. Go ahead and spend the day surrounded by beauty, people, and pigeons.

2 Piazzale Michelangelo Is Florence's Most Famous Square. It's An Italian Must-Do

Piazzale Michelangelo is another Italian square that draws in loads of people all year round. This one is located in Florence, and tourists should consider stopping by and snapping at least a couple of pictures here. If crowds really are not your thing, check it out, get some pictures, and head somewhere further away to grab a snack.

1 Sforzesco Castle Is Full Of Art And History That Most Travelers Can't Pass Up

If Milan is the part of The Boot that you will be hunkering down at, make sure to check out Sforza Castle. The imposing structure was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, and tourists still revel at the building to this day. It might be a might too touristy for many, but it's worth looking into.