Venice is surrounded by islands of unique beauty, all different from each other and full of curiosities to discover.
Venice Islands can be easily reached on a boat tour departing from Venice. Murano is famous throughout the world for its production of artistic glass. While strolling through the island, you will be struck by the vast array of glassworks on display. If you want to make a purchase, make sure that the item has actually been created on the island. Authentic Murano glass products are protected by the Vetro Artistico Murano trademark, including a sticker attached to the product on sale. Many glassblowing factories and exhibition spaces offer visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the masters sculpting and blowing delicate, colourful glass works of art, accompanied by explanations regarding time-honoured glassblowing techniques. Before leaving the island, you can relax and drink a cup of at one of the local cafes overlooking Murano’s Grand Canal. Make also sure you save time for a stop at the Glass Museum, which tells the story of this exclusive artistic technique with a stunning display of unique pieces.
It’s now time to head to Torcello, where the history of Venice began. In ancient times, the island looked completely different, and the Basilica dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta serves as a reminder of its former splendour. Look for Attila’s Throne and the Devil’s Bridge and celebrate your experiences in these ancient places. Apart from the Cathedral, the other main draw is the island’s celebrated Locanda Cipriani, renowned for having hosted the author Ernest Hemingway in 1948 and numerous other celebrities.
Loved by tourists, Burano is famous for its colourful houses and handcrafted lace. Various home linen ateliers and lace shops offer the chance to admire and purchase the authentic lace made according to ancient techniques. After visiting the Church of San Martino, renowned for its bell tower which is as crooked as the leaning Tower of Pisa, head to one of the local pastry shops to purchase the legendary Venetian sweet treats. Although there’s a huge variety, the most famous specialities include the ‘Bussola’ and ‘Esse’ biscuits which can be savoured at the end of a meal, accompanied by a glass of sweet wine.
