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Recent retiree--35 year's experience teaching reading, English, adult basic education and volunteer leadership skills. Started this blog to exchange ideas and commentary with friends and others having an interest in joining the discussions. Greatest life accomplishments include: 1.organized my 3rd grade class to check out library books for me to get around librarian's weekly limit--Amazon.com, the Mullins Elementary 3rd Grade Class of 1956 is still waiting for "thank you" notes; 2. volunteered in the Peace Corps, island of St. Kitts, West Indies; 3.taught adults to read, earn their GEDs., and speak English as a second language; 4. bought a border collie puppy for $6, got evicted rather than give him up, and began a life-long love affair with all things "Dog"; 5. joined a physical fitness boot camp in my mid-50s--don't mess with someone who's been doing regulation pushups in wet grass at 5:30 a.m.; 6. walked across Northern England with best friend Sally--over 80 miles from the Irish to North Seas; and 7. travelled to many foreign countries for pleasure and work.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Watery Wednesday - Burano, Italy

Recently I watched a Rick Steves European Travels episode on PBS which spotlighted Venice and some of the small islands in the Venetian Lagoon. Reminded me of a 2008 trip to this most romantic Italian location, especially Burano with it's gaily painted houses and handmade lace. To get to Burano the easiest thing to do is to pick up a water bus, or vaporetti, in Venice somewhere along the Grand Canal:


From Venice you travel north on the Venetian Lagoon, enjoying views like this of grand churches, galleries, hotels and private homes.

After about 45 minutes on the vaporetti you arrive at Burano, an island of fishermen, lacemakers, and Murano glass artists. Gaily painted houses and shops sit along the narrow canals that run through the town. The houses were painted different colors so that fishermen could see their own houses from the water when out fishing.


After lunch at a delightful seafood cafe in the town square, we wandered along the canals looking for pieces of the exquisite Burano lace in small shops. We were also lucky enough to see elderly women sitting outside the shop making the lace.
Some shops also sold the beautiful jewel-colored Murano glass which is handblown in the area.

Venice is crowded with tourists and the accompanying carnival atmosphere from mid-morning to very late at night. If you are lucky enough to visit this area, I recommend that you take a break and enjoy a slower paced travel experience like on Burano.


Want to see some more "watery" photography? Click here for the players.

13 comments:

Tanya Breese said...

oh i hope to get there one day...beautiful! and interesting about the houses being painted so colorful, i didn't know it had a purpose!

Jan n Jer said...

I would love to visit here some day! For now though...these photos will have to keep me happy Faye! Thanks for sharing!

Loui♥ said...

HI~
Just had to repay your visit..
and I see one of my favorite places..
Venice, Italy!!!!
beautiful photos..
now to answer your questions..
I am a NATIVE Floridian..who happens to be living in Mile high Denver, CO!!
My posts usually reflect photos of both places..
When the snow and cold get to be just too much..
I head back "home" to my sis's for a couple of weeks for rejuvenation of my mind, body and soul..
(arthritis and excema do not mix well with cold weather!)
thanks for visiting..hope you'll return again real soon..
warmest hugs..
Loui♥

Linda said...

it looks like a fascinating place to visit

George said...

I wasn't familiar with Burano until I read your interesting post. Thanks for the wonderful photos of this picturesque area. I love the vibrant colors of the buildings.

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Oh, what glorious memories you have brought back with your wonderful photographs of Burano. It is one of the highlights of visiting Venice and I would rather go to Burano than the more famous Murano...
Thank you for your kind comment on my blog!

NatureFootstep said...

First I will thank you for the lovely comment on NFP. I am pleased that you like it.

I have been to Venice once a couple of years ago. I was there with a group and that is not really good. I wanted much more time to go around and find how to take great pics there. But it is hard when the group shall cover the city in two hours. So I ended up with common tourist shots. :(

Anonymous said...

So very nice to meet you! What lovely and colorful pics and oh, what a fun place to visit!

Lina Gustina said...

I'm wondering when I can visit Venice :)
Thanks for dropping by. I did a quick browsing; the water grass' name is Dwarf Cattail (Slender Reed Mace).

www.1sthappyfamily.com

Admin said...

wow BUrano.such a lovely place..was in venice thrice but never been in Burano..thanks for sharing these lovely images..

thanks for the visit..feel free to visit my other blogs..
Europe Travel Pad
Countryside Trip
Travel Snapshots

Hootin Anni said...

How incredibly filled with charm this photo share is. I could so picture myself there, shopping to my heart's content!

I was really pleased to see you stop by to visit with me. I hope you're doing well!!!

BIBIDDY BOBIDDY BOO

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

I'd love to visit Venice. My son went recently and said it was amazing.

kayerj said...

beautiful pictures. thanks for sharing