Monday, January 19, 2015

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Can you believe we're already three weeks into the new year?  It's been a pretty good few weeks actually.  

January is typically my least favorite month of the year.  The holidays are over, back to work and the weather usually leaves something to be desired.  But we managed to squeeze in a fabulous weekend in Nice with an afternoon in Monaco.  The awesome views, blue skies and mild weather fed my soul a bit. I can't wait to start editing the photos.  We've also been having plenty of blue sky days in London.

In other news, Jessica had her first ultrasound!  (Be prepared for me to over use exclamation marks when I talk about being a grandma!)  The baby is perfect and wonderful! Just one baby.  (Little Momma's belly popped a little early and we were wondering about twins.) Jessica said he/she was wiggling around and tapping its feet.  I've taken to calling baby Tiny Dancer.  

My heart is bursting with love already.  I knew it would be pretty special but I had no idea how epic and life changing it would feel.  Jessica and John are over the moon.  Jess is dealing with morning sickness and fatigue, but handling it all like a champ.  She's almost through that first trimester.  If you follow me on instagram you'll get weekly baby bump photos (as well as pics of the Gigi shopping that has already started. Such fun!)

Can you believe I'm still posting about our weekend in Venice, Italy?   I told you I took an absurd amount of photos.  Today I'm sharing photos from our afternoon excursion to Murano and Burano.  If you go to Venice it's so easy to pop over to these two islands on the "vaporetti" or water buses.  Line 12 will get you to both.  

Our first stop was Murano which is known for its glass making.  In the 13th century, the foundries in Venice were all moved to Murano to protect the wooden structures of Venice from potential fires.  Murano became the center of glass-making in Europe.  Venetian glass and ornate glass chandeliers from Murano are known the world over.

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

We planned to look at the glass, but first things first... margherita pizza with a glass of vino in a sun dappled courtyard.  Once our stomachs were happy, we began to wander. 

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Don't you love these amorous lampposts?

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Murano is about a mile from Venice and is actually seven islands connected by eight canals with plenty of bridges to get you around and about. 

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

We strolled around for maybe an hour, visiting shops and studios, enjoying the beautiful canal views. 

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Of course, a few purchases were made and at one of the shops we were able to see a glassblower in action. 

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

After a short wait, we hopped back on the vaporetti for a little longer trip to Burano.  This group of islands also connected by canals is known for its traditional lacework and colorful houses. 

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Each home has an approved list of colors and any changes must be approved.  The doors were draped with striped clothes fluttering in the wind and the canals were rippling with the reflected colors.

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice


Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

How could you not be happy living in one of these bright happy homes with the water on your doorstep?

Murano & Burano - Islands of Venice

I definitely recommend a nice leisurely afternoon spent strolling Murano and Burano.  If you time it just right, you can catch the sun setting over the water on your boat ride back to Venice.  You haven't lived until you seen a sunset in Venice.  

Which was your favorite, Murano or Burano?



12 comments:

  1. Burano! We also tried some of those cookies they were famous for. The whole island was just so pretty. In Murano we felt we were hassled a fair bit to buy glass. Really there was no getting off that island without buying glass so we bought the cheapest thing we could find and hightailed it back to the main island.

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  2. Reminds me of Chihuly! We never did make it over to either of the islands, but we bought some Murano glass on Venice and say we did :)

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  3. Those lamp posts are trippy! I love it! So why do they have linens hanging in front of the doors in Burano?

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  4. Beautiful pictures. I love those lamps! I wish I had ventured out this side when I visited Venice. Hopefully I will be visiting Italy again this year, just narrowing down where to visit.

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  5. Fabulous pictures! Murano (actually, all of Venice) is one of my favorite places in the entire world. Loved this post xo

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  6. I loved murano and burano, and totally got one of those drawings pictured for my nana. So colourful!

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  7. Love, love, love Venice *sigh* you're making me heartachingly miss it!

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  8. I'm so excited for you still Selena!! A grandmama!! Have you decided what you will have the baby call you? I am always thinking about that and what I want to be called, though I don't have any future pregnancies from my kids... My wanted to be called Mamaw... Oh and Venice... Holy cow... the gorgeous photos, the colors... the yellow and red glass in the window... I love! Such a gorgeous place! You are blessed! Much love to you and I hope you have a great weekend! Tammy x

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  9. Your pictures are fabulous (especially that candy pink house - just gorgeous)! I loved Murano and even stayed on the island once, which was a nice respite from the crowded main part of Venice, but I still haven't made it over to Burano. One of these days I will get there, it just looks so pretty!
    Oh, and huge congrats on becoming a grandma!

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  10. Beautiful photographs - I think the lamposts might be my favourite! I didn't make it to either of these two islands when I visited Venice... I guess I just need to go back soon :)

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  11. So gorgeous! I live so close to Venice (just recently moved to Slovenia) I NEED to go there for often! Beautiful pictures! And congrats on the big news!!!

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Thanks for commenting. I love to hear from you!