Venice, Italy
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Overview of my Trip
Part of the iconic Italian city trio, Venice is a wonder to locals and tourists alike. Far from the feel of mainland Italy, a weekend away in the floating city can become the adventure of a lifetime! Venice is known for its uncommon ground – its floating! A combination of hundreds of islands or an archipelago, Venice sits in the center of the Venetian Lagoon making it a perfect spot for a romantic, adventurous, or historical getaway.
Day 1: Arrival in Venice and a Venetian Night
- Vaporetto from Train Station to Venice
- Dinner on the Grand Cannel
- Explore Venice by Night
Day 2: A Day Away – Visiting Murano + Burano
- Murano Glass Factory Tour
- Burano Afternoon
- Gondola Ride
Day 3: Last Morning
- Top of the Campanile
- Train Departure
Hotel: Hotel San Luca
Venice, Italy
Arrival Night
Our arrival to Venice started off on a rocky foot. Arriving by train we had yet to realize Venice has two train stations, one for mainland Venice and the other across a bridge to the boat stops. I had waited my whole life to see the sea of cannels, only to be greeted by an industrial city alley. Venice has no water… of course it does! Just make sure to take your taxi from the wrong station to the right one, then on the Vaporetto for an hour in the wrong direction to reach it!
Rough water can’t take away from the impression San Marco will leave on you from the second you step into the square. Since I was staying a few blocks from the piazza, San Marco was my first sight of Venice. Despite the beauty of San Marco, I was stressed. Heavey backpacks. No map. A hotel to get to. Thank goodness I had a good sense of direction and ended up getting us to the hotel in less than twenty minutes; rest was needed before we headed out to explore Venetian night life.
Beyond the basics of a night in any city, sampling local cuisine and aimlessly wandering streets, what can you plan ahead for Venice? Plan to not plan! Tickets to the top attractions in the city center are available on most days (I traveled in peak season). Gondolas are vastly available and regulated for when the timing is right. Wandering IS Venice, and a first night is the best time to do it!
San Marco square is my first stop for any visit, even if you passed through it on the way to the hotel! This place truly squared off the bucket list experience with some borderline illegal vendors. In front of Saint Marcs Basilica, a local approached me and pushed ground-up cornmeal into my hands. Soon pigeons flocked on my arms, and pecked at my palm, through their talons felt weightless. A whole evening could be spent here, shopping and dining included!
Gondola Parking
Besides the Rialto Bridge and San Marco one more place tops my evening bucket list. At the edge of almost any location facing the lagoon, you can find docks with storage gondolas. Walk out to the end and enjoy the sunset with your legs dangling above the water… watch out for barnacles!
Ponte Di Rialto
The most famous bridge in Venice, the Ponte Di Rialto is the center point of the city and a major crossing point (one of four) across the grand cannel. I ended up coming back time and time again to wander the shops and even ate dinner along the railing. Most gondola rides pass under the bridge but if exploring it on foot tops your list, I recommend visiting during the evening.
Murano – A City of Glass
Murano is recognized around the globe as the home of glass making. This island, 1.5 kilometer or 1 mile north of Venice, houses more history than just the glass blowing pipes! Similar to the surrounding islands of the Venetian lagoon, Murano had humble beginnings as a refuge from the Altino empire. Its close proximity to Venice left the island to be forgotten by many… until 1291.
The year of 1291 was a turning point in the small community, the Venetian government had decided glass making was too dangerous and posed fire threats to Venice. From that day forward all glass production would be moved to Murano, where it’s still produced today. Not only did it aid the economy and give jobs to the refugees, but it also made Murano rich. Rich in culture, Rich in wealth. Local royalty was established in the 1600’s and Murano was a luxury to visit. Does Murano hold that stature today?
Grand Canal
Similar to its larger counterpart, Murano has a Grand Canal of its own. On one side many of the glass factories are located while crossing the bridge reaches a downtown area with restaurants and shops!
Murano Bucket List
A day in Murano isn’t complete without a trip to a glass factory. In fact, I don’t know why you would visit if glass wasn’t appealing (areas with regal ruins aren’t easily accessible)! Beyond the shops and show room, find a factory tour or watch a demonstration to see the in-depth process.
Family Origins
The art of glass making is a tradition passed from generation to generation, many of the expert blowers aging as children move away. Visiting Murano not only allows you to experience the heat but support an industry that’s slowly shrinking.
Bringing the Heat
Heating glass in the furnace is the most well-known step of glass blowing, but did you know that the glass sits in an oven to cool down! After being molded and color added, the glass is so hot another oven is needed for it to solidify.
Murano has struggled significantly since its peak of wealth. As the world became more globalized people moved away from the island and away from the art of glass making. The family businesses that once flourished were struggling to bring new generations on board. One by one children moved to mainland, leaving the island of glass behind. When in Venice, visit Murano, buy a piece or two or three, and bring the art of glass home. It’s tourists like you and I, that keep the island’s life alive.
Burano
The Caribbean of Italy
After a morning on the archipelago of Murano, add a colorful stop onto your day in Burano! The similarities between the two towns goes deeper than surface level and visiting on the same day. With similar starts and foundation (quite literally the land was formed the same way) Burano could be a glimpse into what Murano would have been if the glass revolution hadn’t taken over.
Burano is a small village with only around 4,000 citizens in comparison to the millions of tourists each year. At first glance it’s a wonder this island gets any visitors; it has no hotels, can only be accessed by a boat departing from Venice, and with only 0.2km/0.1m there are limited options for activities and food. Despite its limitations, this town is a paradise! It can easily be explored in a couple hours and a stroll down the Galluppi (main street) to a leaning church bell tower is the perfect end to your day. Grab a snack and head back to Venice for a final night in the floating city!
Murano + Burano Tour
Want to follow my exact trip? Here’s the tour I took!
- Half Day Trip on a private boat
- Murano + Glass Factory
- Burano + lace making
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Saint Marcs Basilica
- Under Construction during our trip
- In operation since 1094
- Free access for prayer or service use
- The Tomb of Saint Marc
Doges Palace
- Access to the famous Bridge of Sighs
- Constructed during the same time period as the Louvre
- Discover prisons, apartments, and an armory
Last Night in Venice
The gondola boat has quickly become an iconic symbol of Venice; originally used as a private use of transportation, the modern gondola is a must do on any tourists bucket list… including mine! How did this tradition come to be – no one knows. We only know that they date back to the early 1000’s and were used by the Doge (of Doges palace). The mystery of their conception will have to wait until I can visit again, but for now the thrill of riding the water is enough.
My biggest mistake was pre-planning for the ride. All gondolas are regulated by the city and ensure that a gondolier won’t take advantage. Rates are based on the time of the trip but plan on around $100 for a 30-minute experience. Take off/drop off spots are located throughout the city and anywhere with a gondolier is fair game, I recommend a Grand Canal ride!
“Float above the floating city without any stairs!”
A Final Venetian Morning
A final morning in Venice can either be spent revisiting your favorite sight one last time or setting out on a new adventure. I decided to climb the Saint Marcs campanile in San Marco for a last view of the city.
Constructed in 1514, the tower stood almost 400 years until it collapsed in 1902. Even the city of Venice knew the beauty it held as it was reconstructed that same year. With ticket available day of, there is no excuse to skip this once in a lifetime view of Venice, the lagoon, and surrounding islands. The best part, you can float above the floating city… without any stairs! An elevator makes this modernized history accessible (as long as you don’t mind the stairs around the rest of the city).
One response to “Two Days in the Floating City”
LOVE LOVE LOVE the Venice writeup. Brought back memories from the times I was there. Burano is also a really visual stop with its knockout colors.