Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands Tour

            Enjoy a unique boat ride to three beautiful islands, all of them being well known and admired for a different reason. First, visit Murano. Although today glass making is no longer considered a secret, the Murano product of blown-glass mirrors, chandeliers, goblets and intricate works of art are world renowned. Visit a major glass factory to see the masters of this delicate craft at work and view the beautiful finished products in the display rooms. Some leisure time on your own will be then given for you to stroll around the island.

              Continue on to Torcello, known as the “Mother of Venice”. Torcello was the most prosperous of the early lagoon communities and today has a population of about 100. Life on the island is peaceful. Traces of grandeur remain in its impressive Byzantine Cathedral, founded in the 7^th century, a reminder of another world and another time, harboring the unique mosaic “The Universal Judgement”. After visiting the interior of the Cathedral and enjoying an Italian-style lunch at a local restaurant, free time will be given to explore the community and then transfer by launch to Burano. Brightly painted houses beautifully decorate this small and cheerful fishing village.         

              The banks of the canals are lined with fishing dories and the setting is indeed picturesque. Burano is well known for its lace making and was cited throughout Europe for having produced the finest lace. Although not a popular art these days, lace making is practiced by some of the Burano women. Next to the 16th century church of San Martino, one can notice the curious tilt to the campanile and photographers will definitely want to capture this sight.