We all know the feeling when you visit place and don't want to miss out on the nearby highlights. This half-day guided tour of three islands in the Venetian lagoon has you covered. The motorboat tour will traverse the lagoon providing you the perfect opportunity for quick sightseeing.
I booked the tour via booking.com but you can opt any online service provider or just drop by at the ferry counter near Saint Mark's and get yourself tickets for the green line. It costs about 20 euros per person. The tours are held in Italian, Spanish and English. On the way to the islands, the your guides point out and provide explanations to some interesting spots along Venice and other islands. In total there are around 120 islands , 150 canals and 400 bridges in the Venetian lagoon.
About 25 min ride from Venice would be the first stop on the tour, the famous Island of Murano known for its stunning glass-making industry. Once you disembark from the boat, you enter into a showroom where craftsmen make demonstrations of glass-blowing. Usually the show lasts 15 minutes where the highlights of making a few glass articles like a vase or small decorative piece is shown. It is highly recommended that one does not miss this opportunity. It is admirable to see trained craftsmen make a glass horse in a few minutes. After the show, there is free time to shop some glass souvenirs or walk around the streets admiring the glass work ranging from decorative pieces, kitchenware to jewellery.
Next stop on the tour is the island of Torcello which was the first islands to be inhabited in the lagoon. Torcello was the most important island before Venice gained importance due to trading. One can discover the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, Attila's Throne and the Ponte del Diavolo also known as the Devil's bridge on this island.The church of Santa Fosca is one of the oldest churches in the lagoon with its Venetian-byzantine paintings.
The last stop on the tour is Burano. Colourful houses and traditional handcrafted lace are the highlights of this island. There is 17th century leaning Bell tower on the island which is best seen from the Terranova's marble bridge. Walk around the main square and adjoining streets to enjoy the pretty colored houses and beautiful corners. The house on the island are prohibited from changing the wall colours.
On the way back to Venice, one can choose to get off at Saint Mark's or close to the main train station. The entire tour lasts about 4 and half hours and is worth the time and costs. Hope some of you will give it a try on your next visit.