Escape the crowds of central Venice and catch a glimpse of what life in the city used to be like, as an island of artisans famous for their traditional craft skills, passed down from generation to generation. Your guide will keep you entertained on the short boat ride to the small island of Murano, famous for its glass making traditions. Find out the facinating story of Murano glassblowers and how their skills were so valued they were banned from leaving Venice on the threat of execution. Watch a craftsman in action and listen to a description of the process in English. Learn how silica sand becomes glass, and how the glass is given color. Afterwards, there will be time to browse the huge collection of glass art, and wander the island on your own. Cruise to the tiny island of Burano to see the brightly-painted houses huddled tightly together along streets and canals. Uncover Burano’s centuries-old lacemaking tradition as you visit a building where women still partake in this tradition of stitching lace. Your guide will explain the process of this dying art. Then, you can follow in the footsteps of Michelangelo and pick out your own keepsake. Or, wander the winding streets, sampling delicious cookies at local bakeries. Unlike other tours, this excursion intentionally omits Torcello to provide you with more time on Murano and Burano, and with less time on the boat or trekking inland.

Thanks to this guided excursion to Venice, Murano and Burano from Punta Sabbioni, you can discover the wonders of the Venetian lagoon by travelling on board a comfortable motorboat. Starting from Punta Sabbioni, the boat will stop in San Marco for a few minutes before proceeding to Murano, an island renowned worldwide for its centuries-old tradition of blown glass. Accompanied by your expert guide, you will visit one of the still active kilns where you can attend a demonstration on glass working and where there will be the opportunity to buy handmade products. Afterward, you will have about an hour of free time during which you could taste some 'cicheto' or stroll through the craft shops and bridges on the canals. Next, you will be heading to Burano, the island of lace and colored houses. Here you could visit the Lace Museum, have lunch in a classic buranella trattoria and sample some typical dishes like 'risotto di gò', or go to a pastry shop and taste a 'Bussolà' and an 'Esse', the two typical cakes from Burano. Alternatively, you can visit one of the most prestigious lace exhibitions, or discover the beauty of the area, such as the leaning bell tower or the house of Bepi Suà, the most colorful and particular of the whole island. At this point, the tour will proceed to Venice, making a brief stop at Punta Sabbioni to disembark those wanting to end the tour here. Once you reach Venice, you will have free time to explore the city. You can visit St Mark's Square and its monuments, opt for a walk and an ice cream in Riva degli Schiavoni, or move to the Rialto area for a picture of the famous bridge or to do some shopping.

During this half-day trip, I will accompany you discovering the most beautiful Lagoon's islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello on board of the most strange typologies of bus all over the world: the Vaporetto! Best friend of every Venetian since 1895 when started its unbeatable service! (At 9am an early intimate, unforgettable and relaxing lagoon trip :) Best thing We'll explore Torcello, 17 century ago the first Venice community. Today the last 9 locals are still living inside a "dark ages city" where everything is like a lot of centuries ago.. From the top of their Romanic Tower you’ll enjoy a stunning view of the Venice’s lagoon! At what about the second amazing trip to Burano, the fashinating colorful town, fishers community famous for its millenial lacemaking industry? You will see one of the last Lace Factory where the last old lacers are still doing this very ancient handmade tradition! I'm sure: You'll love them! In the end We will visit the world famous Murano, where the last 20 families are still producing our amazing glass masterpieces like 1000 years ago! Walking tour will be across the “Glasser’s street”: we’ll explore a real Glass Factory with its family Art Gallery seeing Masters working! (Around 12 I really suggest to take your lunch time in Burano where is made one of the best local seafood cuisine ;)

Embark on a journey deep into the Venetian lagoon on our excursion to the beautiful and unspoiled islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. From the brightly-coloured fishermen’s huts of Burano to the glassworks of Murano and mysterious landmarks of Torcello, the islands conserve another side of Venice’s past and present where time seems to stand still and centuries-old traditions of craftsmanship live on today. Visiting the islands in the company of one of our expert local guides - and with the benefit of a private water taxi at your disposal throughout - is the perfect way to experience the marvels of the Venetian lagoon in total comfort. Join us on this special journey to the islands of Venice, and enjoy the perfect day-trip from the Floating City! Our itinerary offers a complete change of pace in Venice as we embark on a thrilling private boat ride out to three beautiful and unspoiled islands immersed in the Venetian lagoon where artisan crafts and ancient traditions are the order of the day – Murano, Burano and Torcello. We’ll begin our journey on beautiful Murano, actually a series of 7 islands linked by bridges perched in the heart of the Venetian lagoon. During our stop on the island we’ll learn all about the special glass-blowing technique brought to Venice from the Orient by returning traders and perfected over the centuries in the island’s charming glass museum, before seeing the works of the modern-day artisans keeping the traditions alive in their nearby ateliers today. If you wish, we'll also be able to arrange a glass-blowing demonstration where you'll get to see the incredible technique that magically turns molten sand into crystal up close. Murano is also home to the oldest church in the Venetian lagoon, which we can visit on request - lavish Santa Maria e San Donato, whose 12th-century mosaic floor is a masterpiece of Byzantine art. Back on the water, we’ll chart a northward course towards the seductive island of Burano. The incredibly picturesque brightly painted houses that line Burano’s narrow cobbled streets and waterways are a photographer’s dream, and the settlement even boasts its own leaning tower in the campanile of San Martino. The final stop on our journey into the heart of the Venetian lagoon is also a journey back in time. The semi-deserted island of Torcello is the birthplace of Venetian civilization, where according to legend refugees fleeing Attila the Hun’s Barbarian hordes on the mainland arrived in the 7th century, and was for centuries much more powerful than its younger neighbour across the lagoon. The stagnant air of the lagoon and the increasing difficulty of navigating its waterways led to its slow and inevitable decline over the centuries, and these days it’s a sleepy place with just 13 full-time residents. But its extraordinary Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, complete with spectacular Byzantine mosaics including a truly terrifying Last Judgement, is a vivid reminder of the island’s former glory.