We spent a couple of days in Venice, Italy, filming for the new Avid Cruiser travel show.

Venice ranks right up there with Barcelona with regard to the number of ships and cruise passengers it handles. This city of 118 islands, 150 canals and 450 bridges surely woos cruise passengers who set out in search of its charms before or after their cruises. Venice is a living museum.

We explored the main attractions — St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge and much more — and we ventured out to Murano and Burano. We did a gondola ride, enjoyed gelato and a Venetian Spritz. We dined sumptuously and sucked up every moment in this oh-so-beautiful place.

We also explored a “Secret Venice,” thanks to tour operators Bassani Group, which operates many of the shore excursions for the major cruise lines coming to Venice. The rest of the story is told in the photographs that follow and the soon-to-come video, “The Avid Cruiser Takes On Venice, Italy.”