Venice Islands: Murano, Burano and Torcello

This excursion takes you on a visit to its **islands**, famous not only for **handcrafts**: Murano for the **glass factory**, Burano for the **laces**, and then there’s the jewel of an island called Torcello, where the first cathedral in Venice was built. Sailing among the islands of **San Giorgio Maggiore**, **San Servolo**, San Lazzaro degli Armeni and **Sant’Elena Gardens** the boat arrives at **MURANO**. Divided into **nine islets** crossed by a wide canal, Murano is the island of **glass blowing**. A long and still-thriving tradition dating back to 1291, when the glass artisans moved their kilns here from the old city centre. Murano is the town of glass: during XV and XVI centuries it was the main glass centre in Europe. A **stop at a glass factory** is included to watch an expert master **glass blowers** create a work of art. Second stop will be at **TORCELLO**: **centre of the first Venetian civilization** founded between the V and VI centuries, the island became a flourishing center full of palaces and churches. Nowadays the island preserves **archeological proof** of its glorious past such as the wonderful **Byzantine Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta** and the **Church of Santa Fosca** with a delicious portico and striking Byzantine interior. The last but not least stop will be on **BURANO** island, one of the prettiest islands in the whole lagoon: it’s a **miniature Venice** where all the **houses are painted in bright colors**. Burano is famous for its **lace work**, an art that has been carried out since the XVI century when it was considered the most refined and famous n Europe. Open your eyes and your imagination. **Head for the Lagoon**!