An idea for a trip out of town is definitely the tour of the islands of Venice. Venice, with its millenary history, is not only a romantic and historical city, but is a constellation of islands that make up the beautiful picture of Italy.
How to get to Venice?
Venice can be reached by car, bus, train, ferry and plane for those who are far away. I prefer the train for a day trip and in this way you can get directly to Santa Lucia station, in the heart of Venice.
Otherwise you can leave your car in a pay car park in Piazzale Roma or stop before the Ponte della Libertà bridge and take a shuttle bus. Crossing the Calatrava bridge, you will arrive in front of the train station, the starting point of several tours.
How to move around Venice
There are several ways to get around Venice:
- the first definitely walking, and a lot, up and down the bridges;
- with the vaporettos at a cost of €7 per ticket or €20 per day (vaporetto fares);
- with water taxis which are the most expensive means of transport, however, from Piazzale Roma to St. Mark’s Square costs about 75€ (water taxi fares).
Tips for a day in Venice:
For a day in the calle and the boats I suggest you to wear comfortable shoes to get on and off its 417 bridges and to bring a scarf for ferry trips.
An excellent guide with 10 useful tips to visit Venice can be found at this link.
One day tour to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello
You can rely on the organization of the various tour operators that every day guide hundreds of tourists through the streets and islands of Venice.
I have chosen the tour that you can find at this link:
Excursion to Murano, Burano and Torcello
- Visit to a Murano glassworks with demonstration included
- Multilingual guide
- Price of 20€ per person
- Departure either from Santa Lucia train station or St. Mark’s Square
- Duration 7 h
Murano
Our tour starts with a visit to the island of Murano, or rather the island of Glass. In fact, with a millenary history, the craftsmen who work glass will reveal their secrets and magic.
Crossing the calle you will be able to admire in the shops, which run along the streets, magnificent glass artifacts and maybe find some furniture as a souvenir of this day.
Burano
This little island is famous both for its handmade lace and for its typical colourful houses. Here you can have lunch in a typical restaurant and taste the Venetian specialities.
Torcello
Last destination of this tour, where you will face a walk to reach Piazza Torcello and the Church of Santa Fosca. Here you can finally relax, maybe with the breeze of a sunny afternoon.
Piazza San Marco
Arriving in St. Mark’s Square around sunset time (in winter) will allow you to enjoy it in the best way. The inconvenience of not returning to the starting point after a long day will be rewarded by the return journey from St. Mark’s Square.
Passing through the calle you could also stop to do the typical Venetian activity, the bacaro tour.
The bacaro is the classic bar in Venice where you can end a relaxing and rich day with a glass of wine.
Venice is always Venice and Call me Claire suggests you to find some time to visit the most romantic city in the world.