Our visits to the islands of Murano & Burano were classics. Quite by accident
we did exactly as the Rick Steve's guides suggest as the best way to enjoy
Venice - get lost. Late Sunday afternoon we took the water bus to Murano, the
island where all the glassmaking factories are located. It's a separate island
about 5-10 minutes across the water from the northeast side of Venice.
Incidentally the route there is kind of fascinating as you pass right by San
Michele - an entire small island used for nothing but the local cemetery. It
even has its own vaporreto stop named Cimetero ("cemetery").
We arrived at the Calonna vaporreto stop the travel books suggest as
the best place to begin. But it was late in the day, so we decided we'd come
back earlier on Monday before our train for Florence in the evening.
So Monday we started out, but took a water bus from a different starting
point. Once it started getting near Murano, it was clear we weren't stopping at
the Colonna stop, but another one past it. Trying to make sense of the route
map, I decided the boat would circle the island and eventually come back by
Colonna, so we didn't get off. Imagine my discomfort when the boat next turned
out into open water - headed out to who knew where across the lagoon!
Eventually I determined we were coming up on the island of Burano, which
specializes in lace making. (Really amazing and incredibly expensive handmade
lace!) Fearing where the boat might be headed afterwards, I decided we were best
to get off there and find the next boat going back the way we came from.
Well, Burano ended up being the most picturesque experience of all Venice.
Besides being famous for its lace making, it's also known for wildly colorful houses and shops.
Supposedly this tradition began so the fishermen returning home in the evening
could recognize their homes from a distance and head their boats properly. Most of
our trip had pretty dreary overcast skies, but just as we walked across the
causeway from the boat stop, the sun started coming out. The views of the
village were really impressive.
Here are a few other views in the lagoon from the trips to Murano & Burano:
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San Michele - cemetery island
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San Michele - cemetery island
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San Michele - cemetery island
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San Michele
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Ruins on tiny island
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Ruins on tiny island
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Ruins on tiny island
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