Sitting on a tiny, cramped seat, legs tucked under my chin and rocking back and forth on the water is not a position I normally find myself in.

If I were anywhere else, I’d be complaining, whining and moaning – but not this time.

I’m not in any boat, in any city. I’m in a gondola in the Grand Canal and I’m surrounded by the beauty of Venice.

No trip to Italy can be called complete without visiting the famed city with its crisscrossing canals, vast number of arched bridges, piazzas and palaces.

A gondola ride may sound like the “touristy” thing to do, but why would you miss an opportunity like that?

I was lucky, our gondola had both a musician and singer aboard to help heighten the experience.

From the water, you get a different perspective on the beauty and complexity of Venice.

Bridges are the key to the city. In fact, we were given a simple tip on how not to get lost. Merely count the number of bridges you cross and you can always find your way back to the starting point by crossing the same number back.

The Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) is the central landmark and meeting place in Venice.

It is a huge open space where tourists (and pigeons) gather to marvel at some of the finest architecture in Europe.

The giant bell tower, standing more than 100 metres in the air, acts as a beacon to visitors.

All around you are architectural wonders that have to be seen to be believed.

The Basilica of San Marco is the most famous of Venice’s churches. It is an amazing example of Byzantine architecture. Its huge domes, arched entranceways and incredible detail are a marvel. Connected to the basilica is the Doge’s Palace, a mammoth structure that seems to go on forever.

Built more like a castle than a palace, it is equipped with towers and defences that could protect it from a sea attack.

Burano:

While in Venice, take advantage of the many water taxis heading to other nearby islands.

Burano is a small island located in the Venetian Lagoon, about seven kilometres from Venice.

There are only 4,000 people living on the island, which is famous for its artistic lacework.

Because it is a fishing village, the women of Burano used to help their husbands mend and create fishing nets. Centuries of sewing experience slowly transformed from practical use to artistic expression.

As you wander through the colourful town – each home is painted a different, bright colour – you can’t help but feel a sense of cheer. Burano would be a delight to visit, even in the pouring rain.