Liz and Frank: Our last day in Venice

This was our last day in Venice, and also the final day of our 12 day tour. We were up and out of Hotel Continental "tres" early, had an early morning walk watching the Luggage and Laundry boats at work.

Our first part of the day started with a boat ride to the Canal Islands, with Murano being our first port of call.

Murano is a cluster of islands, joined by bridges and is the centre of the glassmaking industry, and has been since 1291. Glass artisans were granted huge privileges, but in past centuries were not encouraged to leave the Islands, the penalties being quite extreme in some cases.

We visited one of the Glass artisan factories - and watched this gentleman creating a rather delicate horse

very clever - then of course some time was spent in their display rooms and "shop".

We reboarded our boat and headed across to Burano

This Canal island is brilliant with colour

It's waterways are lined by brightly painted houses

Burano was one of the places we were really looking forward to visiting

for 3 reasons

One - it's brilliant colours

just everywhere

2nd, it's lace stalls - Burano is famous for its lacemakers

and of course number 3 would be, and was, one of their seafood trattorias

Below is the Casa Bepi's colourful dwelling

A good couple of hours was spent over a super local style lunch,

basically cutting into our research and shopping time - just as well I thought when our Visa bill arrived!

Loved their spring "wall" flowers

Bob takes the skipper's position - not for long though and we are back in the Canal Grande, with its Gondoliers!

We decided to roam a little more

across the small canals just checking it out It really is quite active, and so interesting with the exception of "ever" ending up in any of these Canals!!!

Stephanie says - only the consumption of much Grappa, prior to your descent into the canal, is the sole thing that can preserve you - she said it saved her many years ago !!! Of course, it could have attributed to Steph's descent as well!!