Venice - The Doge's Palace

You can't miss the Doge's Palace. No really, it's inescapable, you can't see any of Venice's main sights without walking or sailing past the palace. The elegant peach and white patterned brick walls and carved windows lead you from the lagoon right into St. Mark's Square. The Doge's Palace, aka the Palazzo Ducale or the Duke's Palace, is one of Venice's top attractions. It's easy to see why. Every inch of the palace is designed leave visitors in awe. And it's here you'll find one of Venice's most iconic landmarks, Santa di Spirito, the Bridge of Sighs.

Venice - A Gray Day

I really lucked out weather-wise during my trip to Venice. Most of my days were full of sunshine and sea breezes.But there were some misty mornings, one gray afternoon, and a rainy evening in the mix. Venice in the rain is a different kind of magical. The precipitation slicks up the alleys and courtyards, bringing out hundreds of years of grit and grime. The city feels older and the tourists thin out. And the locals emerge, reeling in their laundry and shopping with their umbrellas. So, if you're stuck in the rain on Venice don't despair. Visit as many churches as you can stand, breaking for a gelato at every stop. That's why every gelateria has an awning after all.