Venice is one of those cities where the to-do item most often recommended isn’t a museum or visiting a historical ruin or a gallery – it’s an activity that just calls for roaming around, entranced, at the everyday sights and sounds of this beautiful city.

A trip to romantic Venice - with its gondola rides, operatic venues and lavish buildings - this exotic place oozes romance from every piazza, bridge and canal...

Venice doesn’t disappoint when it comes to breathtaking romantic sights and experiences.

Here's the list of top ten romantic spots in Venice for this Valentine's Day...

The historic city center is almost completely free of cars so why not get around in style and opt for a gondola ride through narrow canals under picturesque bridges. This traditional form of transport allow travelers to really soak up the essence of Venice – particularly if the gondolier serenades passengers during the journey.There’s nothing more romantic than punting slowly past beautiful baroque and Renaissance buildings. Pick up a gondola at any of the main bridges – the Rialto or Accademia. Just look out for the driver’s boater hat and striped shirt.

An island in the Venetian lagoon, Burano is renowned for its traditional lace-making industry. Couples can learn about the craft and see different designs at the Museo del Merletto di Burano, the lace museum. There are many shops in Burano and the rest of Venice selling pieces made from the delicate material – from handkerchiefs to wedding dresses.

The domes and spires of the Basilica Di San Marco dominate St Mark’s Square, and the intricately carved gold and marble facade is one of the city’s most famous sights. Travelers can take a guided tour around the 11th century building, the interior of which is covered with golden mosaics, or admire its impressive bell tower from the square.

Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale in Italian) is an important attraction in Venice. It is probably the most popular stop on the tour is when you get to walk over the famous Bridge of Sighs...

Look out over the maze of red rooftops and the endless lagoon from St Mark’s Campanile bell tower, 99 metres above the square. Take the lift to the top on a clear day for views of the Dolomite mountains.

Swoon over a romantic ballet or opera performance as you settle into your seat in the gold balconies of this restored opera house. Start your evening with a romantic waterbus cruise past palaces on the Grand Canal to Santa Maria del Giglio - the nearest stop to the theatre.

The easiest and most pleasant way to get around Venice is on foot, but the Grand Canal only has a few bridge crossings and taking a ride on Venice’s water-buses is a fun transport method. Meander past its archway shops selling handmade gifts. Walk over the wooden Accademia Bridge for a romantic afternoon’s browsing of contemporary art at the Peggy Guggenheim museum. You’ll enjoy the ride either way, even more so if you’ve got a good seat and some gelato..

For passionate, religious masterpieces by Venetian painter Titian head to Church of the Frari. This old Gothic church in the low-key San Polo district is a Renaissance art gallery. Stroll hand-in-hand with your lover through hidden alleyways and quiet squares on the way.

A romantic drift on a waterbus over the marshes to inspiring Torcello island, 10km from St Mark’s Square. Amble past the old Byzantine cathedral to Locanda Cipriani restaurant for an idyllic Italian lunch on the terrace under the shady pergolas.

St Mark’s Square is one of the most recognizable sights in Venice and a great place to sit and watch the world go by – Napoleon even went so far as to call it ‘the drawing room of Europe’. A glass of wine at dusk at one of the square’s cafes offering live music provides a romantic end to even the busiest day of sightseeing.