The Island of Burano, approximately 45 minutes from Venice via water taxi or vaporetto (water bus), is well worth a visit. Known for its brightly colored houses & for its lace, Burano is a treat for the senses. Vibrant color is everywhere, Italian pizza wafts through the air, small family-owned cafes offer delectable meals, lacey linens feel cool & soft to the touch. But, best of all, the sounds of Burano offer a quiet playfulness compared to the crowded bustling of Venice.

Burano Island is a very plesant trip on the large public boats you can catch at Zaccharia (San Marco). Burano is different than the other islands in that all the houses and business are very colorfully painted. Legend has it that the owners painted their house colorfully so they could see them easily when returning from the sea.

The island has one main street and several offshoots. The businesses mostly sell beautiful lace and other fabric clothing, table cloths, etc. The inhabitants at one time made all these items, but now most come from the far east. Italians are too well paid ... and the fantastic lace creations, already very expensive, would be astronomical if actually still made on Burano. Bring your camera, if you are a serious photographer you will be in heaven.

After dealing with the madness of St. Mark's Square and the crowds on the Accademia Bridge, slow down and treat yourself to a short day trip to the charming little island of Burano. 40 minutes by Vaporetto into the Lagoon, this tiny island was once known the world over for its lace. Very few women are still practicing the art of lacemaking anymore (watch out if you buy some. Make sure it's not made elsewhere), so the island is mostly populated by fishermen and locals who work in Venice proper. You can literally walk around the entire island in 30 minutes, strolling by the candy colored houses (originally painted so bright so that they could be seen by the fishermen in the lagoon). Be sure that you have color film in your camera! There's an outstanding trattoria waiting for you here, El Gatto Nero, which I have reviewed.

For a change of pace, take Vaporetto #41 or #52 to Fondamento Nuove or Murano Faro then change to Vaporetto #12 to Burano. From Fondamenta Nuove, the trip takes 45'on Vaporetto #12. From Murano Faro (not Murano Colonna), it takes 35'. The trip which is not scenic at all, is made in larger vaporetto with very limited outside deck. Vaporetto #12 continues on to Torcello.

In Burano, you will not find the elaborate architecture of Venice but instead, the simple yet colorful houses will win your heart. A long time ago, to help fishermen spot their homes from afar, all the houses were painted in bright colors. Today, the tradition continues. Burano is a real heaven for photographers. Every corner, especially the back streets & alleys, is a photo op.

A short walk from the vaporetto, you will arrive at a canal lined with lace and souvenirs stores. We found that prices are lower here than in Venice and Murano for both laces and small pieces of glass.