Murano Glass Factory & Burano Islands

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Board your motor launch and cruise across the Laguna Veneta, enjoying views of the Arsenale, the Serenissima Republic's old shipyard. The sights include the island of San Pietro di Castello and its church. The current basilica dates to the 16th century, but a church has occupied the island since the 7th century. Cruise past the islands of St. Elena and San Michele. A former prison, the island of San Michele was turned into a cemetery by order of Napoleon in 1807.

Land on the island of Murano. This tiny island gained prominence as a center for glassmaking in the 13th century, when the process was still a guarded one. In fact, Murano is the oldest glass-working center in the world. (The 16th century is considered the great age of Murano glass.) Tour one of the island's leading glass factories and watch the artisans at work, producing colored Murano glass in the method known as lampworking. Following your tour, visit the factory showroom with its fine displays of glass objects.

Continue to the island of Burano, where colorful dories line the bank. Today, the island of Burano is renowned for its fine lace work. View the 16th century church of San Martino with its tilted campanile. Visit a leading shop and observe a demonstration of lace making, an art still practiced by some local women.

After the demonstration, browse for lace before boarding your motor launch for the return to the ship.

Special Notes:

This tour is not available to passengers beginning or ending their voyage in Venice.

The venues are not wheelchair accessible. Guests have to be able to negotiate 5-10 steps on and off of the launches as well as some steps at the glass factory in Murano.

The order of sites visited may vary.