After a quiet first half of the day spent window shopping and grabbing pizza for lunch, we hopped on a boat and headed for the islands of Murano and Burano. The former renowned for its glassmaking prowess, the latter for its intricate lacemaking and colorful homes.
Our first stop was the island of Murano, where we witnessed a pair of artisans working their craft in front of a kiln that registered a whopping 2100 degrees Fahrenheit – roughly the same temperature as lava. It was amazing to see the unrivaled level of skill…after a mere 30+ years of practice.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have too much time for exploring as it was off to neighboring Burano. We managed to console ourselves with a Prosecco toast on the short boat ride over.
Burano is know for its lacemaking skills that have been passed down from generation to generation. In addition, the colorful houses are not only beautiful, but are used to designate different professions. Blue for fishermen, brown for carpenters, purple for artists, etc. It was also a way for fishermen to identify their houses in inclement weather.
When we got back on dry land – or at least to Venice proper – we grabbed some take away food and started packing.
On the Road with the Ashbys 
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