Everyone knows Venice, but who knew that there were over 100 other islands all around Venice?
These little-known islands of the Venetian Lagoon are fabulously interesting, and kind of kept a secret by the locals.
Some of the islands are uninhabited, some have only a few dozen people.
Sant’ Erasmo Island is known for its Orto wine and garden vegetables, Torcello is known for its peaceful greenery, San Michele is the cemetery island, Lido is known for its villas and vacation homes, Pellestrina has beaches, nature reserves and the local fishermen live in colourful cottages, Chioggia is a mini-Venice minus the crowds, and Mazzorbo has colourful painted houses.
Then there is Murano, Burano, Giudecca, Sant’ Elna, La Certosa, Tranchetto, Sacca Fisola, Sacca Sessoa, Santa Cristina, Cavallino, Lazaretto Nuovo, Lazzaretto Vecchio, Povegllia, San Clemente, San Francesco ddel Deserto, San Giorgio in Alga, San Giorgio Maggiore, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, Santa Maria della Grazia, San Pietro di Castello, San Servolo, Santo Spirito, Sottomarina, and Vignole, just to name a few of the islands in the Venetian Lagoon!
Hopping on the vaporetto with our Water Taxi Pass, we went to Murano Island first…
Before we could even look around, someone scooted us down the street and inside to see a live glass-making demonstration…
Gorgeous handmade glass works are everywhere in Murano…
We walked around the little island, but when we wanted to leave, we realized that the boat left on the other side of the canal, and there was no obvious way to get there unless we wanted to swim across the canal!
We had to walk all the way to the end of the canal, across the bridge, and all the way up the other side of the canal to get to our boat departure dock, a good 2 kilometers.
Things that initially seem bad, often have a good side, and we saw some interesting things along the way….
Then to Burano Island. This was my favourite island: small, quaint, brightly-coloured houses, relaxed, sweet and inviting…
P.S. Watch for the gorgeous Venetian Lace shops…
So if you want to escape the hordes of tourists on Venice Island, take a water taxi (vaporetto) to a few of the outer islands. You could actually make an entire trip of visiting several of these unspoiled Venetian Islands.
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