Murano

The idea was to start early today, but we managed to make it out the door around 10.30, destination Munaro, an island renown for glass blowing after the industry was relegated to the island in the 1200’s, due to fire risk.

Arrived around 11.30 and headed straight for Fornace, a free glass blowing factory and showroom. A pretty good and informative commentary, and amazing skills, takes 20 years to move from a glass blowing apprentice to being a glass master, and it’s a family business. Have to say tho, the style wasn’t particularly to my taste …

Then google maps in hand, we headed for the main part of the island, popping out on a canal strewn with glass shops. Wow, glass, glass, glass. Hannah and Mrs PS, like moths to a candle ... Adam and I coped somehow. A gelato, more shops, pizza and beer, then on a ferry to the next island, Burano. Not to be confused with Murano. Got it? We had considered Lido and a bike ride, but a few Trip Advisor reviews considered it over rated, so Burano it was.

Good choice. A 30 minute ferry ride, then we arrived in the colourful and lace driven town/island of Burano. Have to say ... I am not into lace, but we saw the process and a lady sewing it, in fact 7 ladies work on each design, they have specialty stitches, seriously! And it was pretty impressive. Yep, it was.

More impressive however, we walked into the canal system, and the colourful houses began. Wow, if you’ve ever seen photos of Burono in Venice, yep, that’s what it’s like.

Lots of walking, more gelato, more colorful houses, and more lace. Then back on the ferry. Arrived home around 6.30, via a walking tour across the island, as it was faster than the ferry, then back out and onto the number 1 line, up the Grand Canal at dusk. Said to be a must do.

Luckily we scored seats in the bow in both directions, and on the return we fired up Rick Steves Grand Canal commentary. Really great. Jumped off at St Marks for a toilet break and to see the high tide flooding the square. Yep, they have problems here.

Then home at 10.30. Late and a big day, but a great one.