Day TEN: The islands of Torcello and Burano

Day TEN-Sunday:  The islands of Torcello and Burano

Yahooooo another beautiful day!  Warm but a nice breeze and we were off!

We boarded a boat to head through the lagoon to the island of Torcello, where the story of Venice began.  It was here that mainlanders sought a safe haven from invading barbarians.  There was a beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, whose famous mosaics depict The Last Judgement.  Next door a church service was in process, and - no surprise - Bill opted to attend it while I was taking photos in the Basilica next door.  Willie was in search of frozen lemonade.

These children were playing in the huge baptismal in front of the church! 

Then it was off to the tiny fishing island of Burano - NOT to be confused with the (tourist trap) glass blowing island of Murano.  What a gem of a place, and I can't believe in the 4 times I've traveled to Venice in my 58 years, this is the first time I'd heard of this place much less gone there - surely Go Ahead Tours is the best!

Burano is a village full cafes and tiny shops filled with art, jewelry, and their speciality - lace.  I was surrounded with color - Amazing! And with the sun shining brightly, all I had to do is hold my camera up, click, and I had an award winning photo...see if you agree!

Sunday is laundry day!

The island of Burano is known for it's intricate lace

None of the homes have doors... the entries just have these curtains to let in the breeze

I may have bought a few of these....

This photo is for Lulu xoxoox

We never wanted to leave, but unless we wanted to swim back we had to meet up at the boat.  We headed back to Lido and Bill scoured around the island for a fitness center, and found one in the old world beautiful Excelsior Hotel - a grand dame of a hotel on the ocean side of Lido.  Willie had been asking us "Where's the beach?" and Bill found it!  Willie grabbed his suit and we headed off to the huge public beach where he went for a swim.  Afterwards we passed on our reservations at a fancy restaurant and opted for the beach burgers that were being grilled outside under the setting sun. Willie headed back to the hotel in search of chocolate gelato (not hard to find!) and Bill and I walked along the promenade, checking out all the beach cabana clubs.  We agreed it had been a perfect day!