The Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto), one of the larger bridges that crosses the Grand Canal in Venice.

Sigh.....

The beautiful Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri). This bridge passes over the Rio di Palazzo, and connects the New Prison (Prigioni Nuove) to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace.

Sunset Salute

The Church of Santa Maria della Salute, at the entrance to the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy.

St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Basilica from inside the Square.

A view to sigh for

The Bridge of Sighs supposedly got its name because prisoners taken from the Palace to the Prison would pass by here, and this would be the last view they had of the city and their loved ones.

St. Mark's Square, Venice Italy

At high tide, the square in St. Mark's floods and tourists are reflected in the pond in the middle of the square. Around the edges and in front of the palace are many wooden walkways that are set up so people can walk above the water to the various sites.

St. Mark's Basilica

This view is from high inside the basilica, looking down at the church and towards the altar.

The Four Horses

The Four Horses of St. Mark's Basilica (Triumphal Quadriga). These huge bronze statues sat outside of St. Mark's from 1210 until 1797, when Napolean "stole" them. They were returned in 1812, and stayed outside until the 1980's when they were moved indoors to save them from weather and pollution. They are just spectacular to see!!

The iconic "gondolas in Venice" shot. I think every photographer has this shot ;-) with the also iconic Church of San Giorgio Maggiore in the background.

One of the many canals in Venice, from the Gondola tour.

Church of San Giorgio Maggiore

This is one of the small chapels inside the church. We passed this waiting to go up to the Bell Tower, which has amazing views of the city.

St. Mark's and Doge's Palace

This view is from the Bell Tower at the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore. This is looking across at St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, and the city of Venice.

Beautiful Venice

Taken from the Bell Tower at the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore.

Grand Canal

Sunset from the Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal

The Grand Canal in Venice, as seen from the Rialto Bridge. A spectacular fall sunset!

Also from the Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal at night.

The Eternal City

A sunset view of Rome

Colosseum

A side view of the Colosseum in Rome. Most of this structure was covered in scaffolding the day I was there, so it was difficult to get full views of it. This is a great closeup of the side of the building.

The Roman Colosseum

A look at the main stage and underground area of the Colosseum. To look at this two thousand year old building, knowing that we blew up our stadium in Seattle after only 30 years, was pretty impressive.

Forums

The Roman Forums

Then and Now

I love the contrast between this two thousand year old column at the Roman Forums with the contrail of an airplane flying above.

Roman Forum

I wish I remembered the names of all of the temples and columns and arches that are in this amazing place. It's just overwhelming when you are here for only a morning. I would need a week to properly check this place out!

Roman Arch

Another one of the impressive Roman Arches at the Forum.

Forum

This amazing view of the forum looks towards the Colosseum.

Roman Forums

Fountain with Obelisk at Piazza della Rotonda

This fountain (Fontana del Pantheon), just outside of the Roman Pantheon, was an amazing site. Built in the 16th Century for the square, the obelisk is even older (built for Ramses II), and was added to the fountain in the 1700's.

Pietà

To see this amazing statue by Michelangelo was especially meaningful to me because I did a report on this in grade school (4th or 5th grade as I remember). I still have a small Pietà statue that I got as a child. It was pretty special to see the real thing, even behind bullet proof glass.

Altar at St. Peter's

The magnificent altar at St. Peter's at the Vatican