As I mentioned in Venice Part One, it was a long day in Venice with 90 degree heat and a lot of walking. Because of our late start in Venice, we happened to visit Doge’s place latter in the day when very few people were there. We went in at 5:20 PM and where out by 6:40 PM.  ( the Palace closes at 7 pm for visitors ) We saw it all in just that hour and 20 minutes. I’m pretty sure you can’t do that during the day with what I would imagine are thousands of visitors there.

I don’t imagine the courtyard is normally this empty during the day.

Statues in the Courtyard.

I don’t know if the canon in the war room was ever fired as it was extensively decorated.

Big paintings depicting historical scenes. They have those here.

Partial view of the Big room with Gold and paintings on the ceiling. It is actually the Chamber of the great Council room which measures 174 feet x 82 feet and could hold up to 2000 people for a council meeting.

Everybody takes a picture of the Bride of Sighs. The photo was made from inside the Bridge of Sighs which can only be accessed from Doge’s Palace.

Yes, it was big and pretty darn amazing.

The entire courtyard was ours. It was like we were Italian royalty. Well, except for the part where we are all wearing shorts and baseball hats.

Our Gondola ride passes under one of the many bridges in Venice. Despite many stories to the contrary, not all the gondoliers sing while they guide you through Venice.

This was our “bus” driver who is driving along the Grand Canal. In Venice you take the bus, those small boat water taxis cost a fortune.

This colorful red building was located on the Grand Canal in Venice.

The cruise ships come in and out of port all day long. In this photo the Costa Deliziosa is backing out of port.