the Travel Enthusiast
- 16 Mar
Tudi in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTSThe Islands of Venice
Venice at night
From all the European cities, Paris might be the only one competing with Venice in terms of popularity, romanticism and cultural heritage. But under any other aspect (architecture, gondolas, music, tasty gelatto) Venice is one of a kind. Still displaying the sophistication and the grandeur that characterized this renowned city-state in medieval times, Venice is equally associated with grandeur and decadence.
It’s almost impossible to comprehend just how many valuable monuments are concentrated on this island (almost every building in Venice is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Most of Venice can be visited by foot so you can visit every last one these wonderful places.
But if you have more than one weekend to visit Venice, than it would be a very good idea to visit Venice surrounding islands: not only you can escape the overcrowded streets and agitation of the town, but you can also get some really unique pictures that would make your friends green with envy.
- Flights
- Hotels
- Packages
- Cars
- Cruises
travel search by Travelgrove (get this widget)Burano
If there is only one island that you have time to visit during your staying in Venice, that should be definitely Burano. In Burano you’ll find the same canals as in Venice, with the exception that houses are less opulent and much more colorful. Seen in sunny summer day, Burano will make the picture perfect sight, just a quiet fisherman village, where you can peek into people’s back yards and watch the fishermen’s women making lace.
Murano
The coquette island of Murano as almost as famous as Venice itself. Although ‘Murano’ sounds a lot like ‘Burano’, the two isles differ in almost every aspect: the architecture of Murano is much more grandiose (there are two beautiful churches, Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato and San Pietro Martire, as well as an old lighthouse) and the island receives much more visits. If you intend to buy Murano glass objects, the best thing is to go on the island and buy it form the source.
Lazzaretto Vecchio
Isola de Lazzzaretto Vecchio, how the locals call it, is by far the most isolated among Venetian islands (receiving a very small amount of tourists). Actually, the island is so out of the tourist’s route that you need to make special requests in order to have the vaporerttos taking you there.
It is a commonly known fact that most pandemics that decimated the population of Europe in the past were mainly brought by foreign sailors – this is why the venetian governors were using Lazaretto as a quarantine island.
San Michele
Might sound a little creepy, but the Island of San Michelle is literally Venice’s graveyard. It is the only island where you won’t be able to meet any locals – the only thing you can find here are grave stones and churches. However, the island is worth of a visit as here you can find the remains of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, American poet Ezra Pound, together with priests, gondoliers and exiled aristocrats.
Torcello
With some really old ruins and lots of vegetation, Torcello is radically different form Venice. This small island has been inhabited from Antiquity, however harsh times have determined a large percent of the population to emigrate. Torcello is dominated by the dome of the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, an old church dating back to the 7th century.
You might also like
© Copyright 2004 - 2024 Travelgrove, Inc.