As you may now, Venice lies in the middle of a “Laguna” (lagoon), and visiting only the city center is a mistake to avoid at all costs. Go to the Vaporetto stop called Fondamenta Nove (on the North Shore of Venice) and begin discovering the beautiful islands of the Venetian Laguna. Your first stop will be Murano, world-famous for its glass artisans. In Murano, you must visit the Glass Museum and the traditional glass-blowing factories, where master artisans will create true masterpieces right in front of your eyes… an amazing experience! Most factories also have glass shops attached to them so you can take advantage and buy souvenirs – if you think they can make the trip without breaking them! The second stop is Torcello, one of the first settlements in the Laguna (where their first inhabitants date back to the Roman ages). Today this small island, down to only 21 inhabitants, is a true gem. Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, see Attila’s throne, and the “Devil’s Bridge” (Ponte del Diavolo): no Satanic background or mysteries… it’s just that it has no handrails! This itinerary has a special final destination in Burano. Burano is famous for its brightly colored homes (ranging from light yellow, orange, pink, purple and more pastels). It is the ideal place for a quiet walk, and for buying handcrafted souvenirs likely to reach your home in one piece (unlike the glass), such as handmade lace doilies and other knitted fabrics. Try the S-shaped biscuits called “Buranei” or any of the delicious seafood restaurants which Burano is known for, but watch out for the prices!

This is the basic itinerary for a tour of the main Laguna islands, but if you have time, also visit the island of San Michele, where Venice’s cemetery is located with celebrity tombstones for Joseph Brodsky, Helenio Herrera, Ezra Pound, Igor Stravinsky and Emilio Vedova rest on this beautiful, peaceful island. Finally, San Lazzaro degli Armeni island also deserves a visit. This island is located west of Lido, and the main sight is the ancient Armenian monastery of the Mechitarists, one of the first Armenian cultural centers in the world.

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