If you choose to travel there on luxury liners as part of Adriatic and Mediterranean cruises, the experience is likely to be even more special.

And you may find the sea legs you have developed during the voyage useful for sightseeing, as the best way to enjoy Venice is from a gondola.

Book a trip around the city's famous canals on one of these flat-bottomed wooden boats and you will have a close-up view of many of the most spectacular churches, mansions, palaces and bridges that give Venice its unique character.

And if you are captivated by the sight of the exterior of these magnificent buildings, you should be prepared for some real treats once you get back onto dry land and start to explore inside.

One place you are sure to want to visit is St Mark's Basilica, which is widely recognised as an architectural masterpiece. Built as a monument to Mark the Evangelist after a group of Venetian traders recovered his remains from Alexandria in the ninth century, it took more than 500 years to complete.

It is easy to understand why when you walk through the doors and are greeted by the sight of the ornate marble decoration throughout and the beautiful golden mosaics on the ceiling. Even the altarpiece, the famous Pala D'Oro, is regarded as a masterpiece.

You could be forgiven for thinking that nothing else in Venice could match the magnificence of St Mark's, but a tour of Doge's Palace may just change your mind.

The imposing 14th century mansion was once home to the rulers of the Venetian city-state and was decorated to match their status. The lavish interior includes a collection of artworks by Carpaccio, Tintoretto and Titian, which you can enjoy during a tour of the building.

Doge's Palace also housed political and judicial institutions, so the tour will give you a real insight into the history of Venice. It also includes a stroll over the Bridge of Sighs, the ornate covered walkway that linked the courts and interrogation rooms to the city's prison.

The fascinating things to see during a stop in Venice don't end in the city itself, as there are some unusual places to visit on the islands in the Lagoon. Among them is the Murano glass factory, where you will be able to pick up a special souvenir of your trip to Italy.