Climb aboard a boat and head out into the beautiful Venetian Lagoon on a trip to Venice’s most enchanting islands: Murano, Burano, and Torcello.

As you head towards Murano, the hostess on the boat will give you information on what to see during your free time on each island. (information is available in several languages including English) You will pass the Island of St. George. In ancient times, it was called the Island of Cypresses for the Cypress Trees that grew there. From your boat you will see part of the ancient Arsenal building from whose yards the powerful Venetian war fleet and merchant navy went out to sea, securing the wealth and greatness of the city for centuries. At its peak, it employed over 16,000 workers.

Next you will arrive in enchanting Murano. Murano is the most famous of the Venetian Islands, originally settled by the Romans and then later in the sixth century by people from Altinum and Oderzo. At first, the island prospered as a fishing port and through production of salt. In 1291, all the glassmakers in Venice moved to Murano due to the risk of fires. In the following centuries Murano became the main producer of high quality glass in Europe. Murano’s reputation as a producer of glass continued for centuries. Today “Murano Glass” is perhaps the most highly regarded in the world. You will have time for a demonstration and to purchase glass.

Departing Murano, you will next visit beautiful Burano, the most picturesque of Venetian Islands of the Lagoon. Famous for its lace-making industry, the pretty fishing village has its streets and canals lined by pastel colored houses. Burano rose to importance in the 16th century, when women on the island began making lace with needles, being introduced to such a trade via Venetian-ruled Cyprus. When Leonardo da Vinci visited in 1481, he visited the small town of Lefkara and purchased a cloth for the main altar of the Duomo di Milano. The lace was soon exported across Europe, a practice that continues to this day.

Next you will visit Torcello. After the downfall of the Roman Empire, Torcello was one of the first lagoon islands to be successively populated by those Venetians who fled the mainland to take shelter from the recurring barbarian invasions, especially after Attila the Hun had destroyed the city of Altinum and all of the surrounding settlements in 452. Torcello rapidly grew in importance as a political and trading center. In the 10th century it had a population of at least 10,000 people and was much more powerful than Venice. Today, Torcello is a quaint, sparsely populated island in stark contract to the hustle and bustle of Venice. Torcello boasts a population of only 60 people. The island is also home to the Venetian-Byzantine Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta founded in the 7th Century. Santa Maria Assunta was Venice 's first cathedral. Admission to the sites is not included on theis tour so you can plan your day to your likes.

Departing Torcello, you will return to the boat pier in Venice.

Please note: There will be a hostess on board the boat you take to the islands who can give you general information on what to see and do during your free time on each island. Hostess is not a tour guide. There will be opportunities to purchase glass and lace at the different stops.