Join us on a fascinating half-day trip to the timeless islands of Murano and Burano and discover traditional crafts that have survived the passing of time.On the short boat trip over to the islands, admire the beautiful views and be entertained by your guide with a description of the sights as we pass them. In no time at all, we arrive at pretty Murano, famed for its glassblowing. Once upon a time, the glassblowers here were the only people in Europe who knew how to create mirrors, and their skills were so valued that they were banned from leaving the city of Venice under threat of execution! Watch a craftsman in action as he goes about his daily business, and browse the huge collection of glass art before strolling around the island.Then back to the boat and off to our next stop, Burano, a tiny, picturesque island famous for its coloured houses and its centuries-old tradition of lace-making. Huddled tightly together along streets and canals, each house is painted a different colour. Legend has it that fishermen started this trend, painting their houses in bright shades so that they could distinguish them from a distance.We wander through the streets to a small building where women sit working feverishly, stitching lace like their mothers and grandmothers before them. Stay and watch their painstaking work, listen to a full commentary on what, in the age of sewing machines, has become a dying art, and then take the time to examine the beautiful lace samples on display.Important informationPlease note that on Mondays, the typical lacemaking demonstration in Burano may not always be available. In this case, the tour is still a fascinating exploration of the island's unique charm and rich cultural heritage.On certain dates, most travellers staying outside Venice who wish to visit for the day must pay a €5 access fee directly to the Municipality of Venice. For further details (including exceptions) and to find out on which days this fee applies and how to register or make payment, please visit: https://cda.ve.it/en/. The fee is not required if you are only visiting the islands of Murano, Torcello and Burano.