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When travelling the world, there are many people who would be more than happy to take your holiday money in return for a cheesy gimmick. However, some tourist traps are well worth a visit despite the large number of visitors and expense. Thanks to concierge.com, here are some tourist spots where you won't mind being ripped off. More can be found here.




TOWER OF LONDON, LONDON, ENGLANDTourist trap cred: Almost as legendary as the Tower of London's role in history are the hordes of tourists who plod here to score one of the most famous photo-ops in all of England, gawk at the Beefeaters in their black-and-scarlet 14th-century livery, and spot the ravens (without whose continuous presence, so Charles II was told, the Tower and the kingdom would crumble).



Why it's worth it: It's an ironic twist of history that people now clamor to get into this foreboding stone fortress: William the Conqueror founded it in 1066 to strike fear into the hearts of foreign invaders and unruly subjects. While parts of the experience can be campy (costumed reenactments, for example), the Tower's long and gruesome history is undeniably intriguing; the building itself, perched on the banks of the Thames, is a powerful, stunning sight; and this is your chance to see the Crown Jewels, a collection of 23,578 gems so valuable they're officially beyond price and therefore uninsured. An exhibit of rare arms and armor commemorating the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's coronation will be on view through January 17, 2010, including a number of suits that trace Henry's progression from slim prince to corpulent monarch.



Insider tip: To attend the Ceremony of the Keys—the Beefeaters' security ritual, which has taken place nightly for over 700 years—you'll have to apply in writing for tickets at least two months in advance (three months for July and August).




VENICE, ITALYTourist trap cred: It may be pushing it to damn an entire European city—nay, a major civilization—as a tourist trap, but let's be real: No place on earth is as utterly transformed as Venice is each summer—from a magnificent city of canals, churches, cafés, and art to a seething pit of humanity. Venice has 60,000 full-time residents and an estimated 20 million annual visitors. The Serenest Republic? Not by our standards.

Why it's worth it: Frankly, it's hard to justify a visit in July or August, when tourists jam the bridges, museums, and piazzas. Come in November, however, when fog creeps through the picturesque alleyways and late-afternoon light creates mysterious shadows, and you'll swoon at the romance. This is the time to get to know the real Venice and appreciate its many treasures: the Tintorettos in the Doge's Palace, the Picassos at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, a glass of wine in a dusky bacaro near the Rialto Market.

Insider tip: The touristy restaurants that line the main streets have done a grave disservice to Venetian cuisine's reputation. For an authentic taste of the city's pasta and seafood dishes, head off the beaten path to eateries like Alle Testiere or Anice Stellato.





GRACELAND, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEETourist trap cred: Graceland delivers with kitsch (note the green shag-carpet ceiling of the "jungle room"), crowds (nearly 600,000 visitors annually), costumes (feel free to bring your own), and, of course, commercialism. In addition to your $28 ticket ($69 for the VIP tour), you can pay homage to the King by purchasing anything from an Elvis Pez dispenser to an Elvis cross-stitch kit, and then gorging on a peanut butter–and-banana sandwich at Rockabilly's Diner.

Why it's worth it: Whether you're packing a sequined jumpsuit or coming armed with a so-bad-it's-good sense of humor, Graceland, which was designated a national historic landmark in 2006, is an integral part of Memphis's illustrious musical heritage. The recording that accompanies the 90-minute mansion tour includes a narration by Lisa Marie and sound bites from Elvis himself. If that doesn't satisfy your curiosity, dig deeper into the mystique by touring Elvis's too-cool car museum and his decked-out private jet, the Lisa Marie.

Insider tip: Paul McLeod's obsessive stash of Elvis memorabilia at nearby Graceland Too—second in size only to Graceland's own collection—is the pinnacle of American fandom, with posters, photos, and every TV Guide cover the King ever appeared on.





RATSKELLER, MUNICH, GERMANYTourist trap cred: A traditional Bavarian beer cellar/restaurant in the neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus—the bull's-eye of Munich's tourist zone, where you'll also find the tourism office and the city's oft-photographed glockenspiel—Ratskeller goes all out with costumed Fräuleins; beamed, vaulted, frescoed ceilings; and an English menu…with photos.

Why it's worth it: Sooner or later, you'll have to get those cravings for bratwurst, knackwurst, sauerbraten (pot roast), and Jägerlendchen (pork loin with mushroom sauce) out of your system, and the Ratskeller is just the place to do it. Since 1874, locals have been frequenting this atmospheric warren of rooms for regional fare that's more upscale than you'll find at many Munich beer gardens—chef Michael Schubaur trained with Michelin-starred Bavarian chef Otto Koch. Start with a bowl of the outstanding potato soup, followed by Grillwurst Schmankerl, a rib-sticking mixed grill that includes no fewer than four types of bratwurst, bacon, sauerkraut, and mashed potatoes. The Ratskeller is also unusually child-friendly, with crayons and books to keep the kiddies occupied.

Insider tip: You'll want to wash your wurst down with a liter stein of Löwenbräu lager, but don't ignore the wine list, which includes a selection of German vintages from Würzburger Juliusspital, a wine estate whose proceeds sponsor a hospice.




TIKI VILLAGE THEATRE, MOOREA, FRENCH POLYNESIATourist trap cred: At the Tiki Village Theatre, a faux Polynesian settlement run by flamboyant French expat Olivier Briac, you can shop for flower garlands and pareos, get a tattoo, have a mediocre buffet dinner with Tahitian foods like fafa (chicken and spinach) and poe (fruit baked in coconut milk), and even renew your marriage vows with a Tahitian-style ceremony.

Why it's worth it: Nightlife on Moorea is hard to come by, but Tiki Village Theatre's open-air show of traditional Tahitian dances is an excellent way to spend an evening. An accomplished group of glistening, coconut-oiled, nubile nymphs and musicians perform the legend of a rain-soaked Tahitian village and its warriors, who undertake a canoe journey to find fire. By the time fire torches are spun around and horses come galloping into the stage area, you might be reminded that you've fallen into a pretty serious tourist trap—but at least it's an entertaining one where the wine flows freely.

Insider tip: Remember: There are thousands of miles between you and anyone you've ever met—no one has to know that you indulged in such a major kitschfest.