wrenwood

We still have a Sunday and a Monday unbooked when we are in Venice.

One day we would like to go to Burano, Murano and Torcello (not necessarily in that order)

The other day we would like to book a tour of the major sights around San Marco ........although my first choice of a tour is not available, I waited too long

So does it matter with opening and closing times, boat schedules etc which day we do the Islands? And would you eat dinner or there, or safer to eat when we get back?

cybertraveler

We just went to Murano and Burano last month. We stayed too long in Burano, so we were a little concerned that it might be too late to go on to Torcello at 15:30. The vaporetto trip to Burano requires a switch in Miurano, so the overall trip can take 45 minutes or so. Torcello is the furthest from Venice. I'd recommend that you return to Venice for dinner.

You might be interested in my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...t-1-venice.cfm

If she's still available, our guide was excellent.

Have a wonderful time in Venice!

wrenwood

Hi Cybertarveler

I Have been looking at your trip reports as we will be in both Venice and 1 day in Florence. Thanks for posting!

How did you get in touch with Patrizia Braccesch, do you have an email address?

nytraveler

IMHO Torcello is by far the most worthwhile island to visit. Murano is basically devoted to glass-blowing and selling vast amounts of glass tscotkes to tourists that don;t really need or even want them - but feel guilty after a whole factory tour.

Peter_S_Aus

I can’t comment on whether Monday is a good day or not. When you take the ferry from Murano to Burano, get off at Mazzorbo, which is the stop just before Burano, on a separate island. It is a lovely fifteen minute walk from Mazzorbo to Burano, across a bridge. From Burano, you take a different ferry to Torcello. The Torcello ferry is a shuttle, just doing Burano / Torcello / Burano etc. It departs from a different ferry dock, 100 yards from the main Burano ferry dock. It’s easy to find.

You could have an evening meal in Burano, and then take a late ferry back across the lagoon.

If you click on my user name, you’ll find a couple of Venice trip reports. The “Sort of Tip Report” mentions Mazzorbo, Burano and Torcello. We did visit Murano about five years ago, and it did not really grab us – but maybe that’s just us. Mazzorbo (Major Urbis in Latin = Big City) was once a big settlement, with five wealthy convents. It is a bit quieter now.

Check out the campanile on Burano – surely the next campanile in the lagoon to succumb to gravity.

Peter_S_Aus

Coming back from Burano in the evening, the No 12 Ferry leaves Burano at 8:56 PM, arrives at Fond. Nuove at 9:30.
Here’s a link to the timetable. http://www.actv.it/en

stracciatella

What is important is the weather, except for Murano. You can go to Murano if it rains or if it is sunny. But it is nicer to go to Torcello and Burano when it is sunny (or at least not raining) because it is a long walk from the where the boat is to the best part of Torcello, and Burano is a place to walk around outdoors and it looks better in the sun.

cybertraveler

Hi Wrenwood,

Here is the email for Patrizia. I hope she is available.

[email protected]

I agree that you definitely want to go on a sunny day, and Murano is not as nice as Burano. The only reason we went was because my sons really wanted to see the glass blowing. If you're not that interested in glass, I'd just keep going to Burano and Torcello.

Happy planning!

tarquin

I love Murano for the excellent museum, the church with its mosaic floor and best of all, the many shops selling glass jewelry. There is absolutely no need or pressure to buy - you couldn't buy from all of them - just keep walking until something is irresistible. There are some pleasant places for lunch along the canal

wrenwood

Are all the "tourist" things open in the AM on Sundays? The Churches?

Delaine

There is a good chance that mass will be going on in the churches on Sunday morning, especially in Murano and Burano. You will likely be able to enter the church but not much else (e.g. we were able to go in San Giorgio Maggiore shortly before mass was over, but stood near the back out of respect).