Tours of the Venice Islands

Well Amy, when I go and find it I will let you know all about it.
Thank you
Pat

Sweet! I would love a first hand report!!

I was in Venice last month. We took the vaperetto to Murano and then on to Burano. I don't think a tour is required. The RS info in the Venice book is really all you need. Murano is a short boat ride-10 to 15 minutes, Burano is another 30 min. past that. We enjoyed Murano much more than Burano, but it started raining hard while in Burano which may have influenced my thinking. The lace museum is still closed in Burano, most of the lace in the shops comes from China and I just didn't feel it was worth the extra time to get there. Murano on the otherhand was much nicer than I expected. We sat by the canal that runs through town at an outdoor cafe and had a drink and watched the world go by. We found a small shop with a delightful owner whose husband makes the glass. She was very patient and answered all our questions. Next time I am in Venice I will return to Murano, but probably not go on to Burano.

Margaret - As a floridian but also as an Italian I can tell you that no tour is required - The previous poster was correct. And you will love all three spots for differeent reasons.

Greg

The lace is made in China...how sad!!! I love lace and was really looking forward to seeing their collections. I will look online and see when the Lace Museum will be open??
Thanks
Greg...I will give ya a buz
Pat

Burano is a very picturesque island, but not much more than that. It is a very long and slow boat ride. Maybe stick closer and go to Murano, although I found the shops and glass there rather touristy. I understand Lido is a nice place to go too.

It does take a long time to get to Torcello - - you have to go to Murano, to Burano to get the boat for it. But, IMO, it's very much worth the effort. I think Torcello may have been the original settlement in the Venetian lagoon. There is an 11th or 12th century church with wonderful mosaics. In addition, there are a couple of restaurants. We ate at the second one you come to on the path from the boat to the church, and had a very good, though pricey, meal.

i feel they are worth it...nice side trip for part or most of the day...murano is nice...burano and torcello are close to each other...burano is very quaint...my fave of the three...

Anthony Bordain has a show on Venice in which he goes out to Burano (I think). Anyways, he goes to a restaurant that supposedly invented Risotto and it looked amazing.

If I ever get back to Venice, I plan on finding that place. If you can locate the show that Anthony Bordain did - you will see what I mean.

The restaurant that Anthony Bourdain visited on Burano is called Da Romano (piazza Galuppi 221). I'll be heading there in October and can't wait!

I went on the Rick Steves Venice tour when it was 6 days long, not cut down to 1/2 a week as it is now, so I don't know if they still do this.. but we had a private boat that took us to Torcello, Burano and Murano and it was wonderful. We had a boat waiting for us at all times. We had lunch on Burano. I loved each island, a three island tour might be harder to do on your own though. Might be good to find a nice tour!

I think they are worth the time, and you'll appreciate getting out of the crowds in Venice for a few hours. In Rick's Venice book there is a great tour of the lagoon. I think you could do it easily on your own. Make sure to stop in the church on Murano to see the glass chandeliers.

Watch out for free or very cheap trips to Murano. They will monopolize you, take you to one inferior glass works and expect you to buy some merchandise. Better to take a regular vaporetto and nose around on your own.

Not been to Torcello but have been to Murano and Burano several times during the summer months. Burano is our favorite! We decided to have dinner in Burano one evening before returning to Venice and as we were dining the locals came out for their passeggiata which was great fun to watch. Love the bright colors the houses are painted. Last July on a visit to Burano we were walking around the island taking pictures when I asked an older gentlemen sitting on the step of his house if I could take his picture. He didn't speak hardly any English but knew what I was asking. He not only wanted his picture taken but us in the picture too. He then proceeded to go into his home and quickly came back with a piece of paper with his name, address, etc. and wanted us to send him a picture, which I did. He had copies of his name, address, etc. all hand printed out as he appeared to enjoy interacting with tourists and am sure he liked getting the photos in the mail. A very fond memory of a visit to Burano!

Margaret,
Absolutely no need for a tour!
Every year I go to Murano, Burano and Torcello. I even had the joy of spending time on San Francisco del Deserto.
I've spent a few days at a pensione on Murano....lovely and peaceful in the evenings.
If you do go to Torcello make a reservation at Locanda Cipriani for lunch. It is the locanda that Hemingway stayed in....the food is good and the view of the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta is wonderful.
Make sure you stop in to see the mosaics in the basilica and if you have time and can manage the stairs...go to the top of the campanile for an incredible view!

Have a wonderful time!!

I want to thank everyone for their input.I am so looking forward to my trip and will take time to see these little islands.
Pat

Margaret, while you can do it on your own, I've often found my appreciation of an area is markedly improved by a good walking tour. I'll be going to Venice next year and saw that a great tour company has added a 5-hour islands walking tour. The company is Context Travels, and I've used them repeatedly in Rome, Florence, and Paris. Groups are limited to 6 (sometimes less), and the guides are well qualified academically, working in their area of expertise, and have excellent English (or native speakers). I've learned so much from their tours, even when I had expertise in the area, and because they groups are so small, they can customize to group interests. You might want to take a look at their website. They are a little more expensive than some vendors, but I've consistently found them to be so much better.

Will be in venice october 4 to 9 2010. will go the islands; read about a smaller one off burano, mazzorbo. linked by a short wooden bridge. anyone been there? A family is restoring an abandoned estate. there is a restaurant, small hotel and wine tasting. Ant other information you have, i'm interested. thanks

I will be visiting Venice during Carnivale in late February. Any tips for this event? Grazia,
Julie

Julie reactivated a zombie thread. I've taken the liberty of asking her to post a new one since her topic is actually different. Please note that this original posting is from July. Presumably Margaret has had all her questions answered.

Just saw this question.....yes I was in Burano and loved it and ate at Anthony Bourdain fav resturant called Da Romano (piazza Galuppi 221). The best food. The place was packed.
Pat