Major stops along the Grand Canal

After Murano Island, we explored on our own, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of Venice. Although a tad bit cold and foggy earlier in the day, the sun finally broke the clouds and we caught some breathtaking views of this timeless city.

Our sights included the "biggies": Piazza San Marco and Basilica di San Marco....







as well as Palazzo Ducale, and the Bridge of Sighs (aptly named because upon sentencing, prisoners walked over this bridge just prior to their incarceration and are said to have "sighed" despairingly as they looked at Venice for the last last time).