Tour to the Islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello, Venice - 1030 departure

Discover the lagoon islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello and learn more about Venice and its ancient way of life. HIGHLIGHTS:  * Start off the tour in Murano, well-known for its glass making  * Continue through the brightly coloured homes of Burano  * Contemplate the impressive mosaics in Torcello  These beautiful islands are known throughout the world for their picturesque scenery, handicraft and history. Departing from the famous St. Mark’s Square with motorboat, the first stop is Murano, where you can see the antique art of making glass and lampworking. Murano has been famous for its glassmaking since the thirteenth century when the Venetian Repulic ordered all glassmakers to leave the mainland because of fear of fire. Most settled in Murano and quickly became the most prominent citizens. The second island stop is Burano, known for its lacework and brightly coloured homes. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, German and French and is happy to tell you all about the history of the area, including its visit by Leonardo da Vinci. The third and last stop on the three and a half hour tour is Torcello, a quiet and sparsely populated island. It is considered the oldest continuously populated region of Venice and once held the largest population of the Republic of Venice. Torcello was once more powerful even than Venice itself, due to the lagoon’s salt marshes that were Torcello’s economic backbone and its close trading and cultural links with Constantinople. The island has since fallen in fortune, but relics of its bygone glory still remain, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, founded in 639 and still containing stunning mosaics to this day.