ETERNAL LOVE AT THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS

This white limestone bridge over Rio di Palazzo that connects the old prisons to the interrogation rooms in the Doges Palace was christened the Bridge of Sighs by Lord Byron. It comes from the notion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice through the window before being taken down to their cells. A local legend says that lovers will be assured eternal love if they kiss on a gondola at sunset under the bridge. Well, I heaved a deep sigh of regret when I was told by the gondolier the prohibitive cost ($80) of hiring the boat for the minimum half-hour ride down the canals.

Location: Venice, Italy