Private Boat Excursion - Murano, Burano & Torcello

Extended Description

Venice is much more than the biggest island that everyone tends to think of when they hear “Venice”! In fact, the Venetian republic’s roots originated on the island of Torcello, while Burano and Murano, its neighbors, are where Venice gets its fame for lace- and glass-making. Spend a day away from the crowds exploring these authentic island gems… all with your own, private motorboat.

After your pick-up in Venice, your boat will whisk you off to the island of Murano. (Just be sure to look behind you—that view of Venice is one of the island’s most famous!). Murano, since the 13th-century home to all of Venice’s glass factories, has won worldwide recognition for elevating glassmaking to a fine art.

Not convinced glassmaking is an art? You will be after you visit the factory we’ve handpicked for you, which we think is the best on Murano: the New Murano Glass Factory. The factory has been within the same family for centuries, and their work is absolutely exquisite! It’s so beautiful, in fact, that Picasso chose to work with the gallery above all of the other workshops on the island, designing pieces for them that they still sell exclusively at New Murano. Watch their artisans blow glass and twist it into shapes before your very eyes, then pay a visit to the “store,” which seems more like a fine art gallery. Of course, if you choose to buy something, the expert personnel is more than helpful… but never pushy, which we love!

Next stop: Torcello. This is the real home of Venice, where the Veneti tribe first settled after barbarians frightened them off the mainland. In fact, for more than 1,000 years, Torcello served as the bishop’s official See, and it was even stronger and more powerful than Venice until the 10th century! That’s no longer true, but paying a visit to Torcello is a haunting reminder of what once was. Don’t miss the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, a 7th-century church that still has its original Baptistery and incredible 11th-century mosaics.

From Venice’s atmospheric past, your boat takes you to its colorful, character-filled present on the island of Burano. A working fisherman’s island, Burano also is unique for its brightly-painted buildings (in fact, you’ve probably seen images and postcards of it before!). It’s also home to Venice’s lace-making tradition; as well as several wonderful workshops where you can see the art in action, Burano has a lace-making museum.

One of the biggest draws of Burano, though, is its fresh fish and seafood. We’re happy to make reservations for you at one of the island’s most-loved local restaurants, a place where the fish is so fresh, the fishermen who actually go fishing in the morning are the same people who cook your lunch! A meal costs about 25-40 euros per person, depending on number of courses, wine, and so on, and that makes it just about the best-value meal in all of Venice for the quality of food that you’re getting. (Please note that lunch is not included in this tour price).

After your day of exploring, enjoying the lunch of a lifetime, relaxing, and shopping, your boat will take you back to Venice!

Just remember: We are very happy to customize any part of this itinerary! Want to spend more time at one island and less on another? That’s fine. Want us to book lunch for you on Burano? Done. Would you like a guide to actually come with you as you explore the sites on Torcello and the other islands? We’re happy to arrange it! Just let us know what your heart desires in the booking form.