Another- albeit bleak and cold - day in Venice. But this did not dampen our resolve to see more of the sights and do a little shopping.

We set off by River Bus this morning for a demonstration of glass blowing and sculpting at a Murano glass factory. It is believed that Murano glassmaking originated in 8th century Rome, with significant Asian and Muslim influences, as Venice was a major trading port. Murano's reputation as a center for glassmaking was born when the Venetian Republic, fearing fire and destruction of the city's mostly wooden buildings, ordered glassmakers to move their foundries to Murano in 1291. Murano glass is still interwoven with Venetian glass.

Murano's glassmakers were soon the island's most prominent citizens. By the 14th century, glassmakers were allowed to wear swords, enjoyed immunity from prosecution by the Venetian state, and their daughters were permitted to marry into Venice's most affluent families. However glassmakers were not allowed to leave the Republic. Many craftsmen took this risk and set up glass furnaces in surrounding cities and as far afield as England and the Netherlands. By the end of the 16th century, three thousand of Murano Island's seven thousand inhabitants were in some way involved in the glassmaking industry.

Murano's glassmakers held a monopoly on quality glassmaking for centuries, developing or refining many technologies including crystalline glass, enamelled glass (smalto), glass with threads of gold (aventurine), multicoloured glass (millefiori), milk glass (lattimo), and imitation gemstones made of glass. Today, the artisans of Murano are still employing these century-old techniques, crafting everything from contemporary art glass and glass figurines to glass chandeliers, jewellery and wine stoppers.

Today, Murano is home to a vast number of factories and a few individual artists' studios making all manner of glass objects from mass marketed stemware to original sculpture.

Following the glass demonstration and some shopping at the showrooms, we took the River Bus to Piazza San Marco - Saint Mark's Square for about 2 hours of free-time and a further look at this amazing canal city.

We then took a 40 minute ride on a River Bus to Burano (one of the 114 islands) for a Venetian seafood lunch - a real feast! Then we had a look around this island with a difference.

Burano is an island in the Venetian Lagoon, northern Italy; like Venice itself, it could more correctly be called an archipelago of four islands linked by bridges. It is situated near Torcello at the northern end of the Lagoon, and is known for its lacework and brightly coloured homes.

Burano is a beautiful place with an equally colorful history. It is an old fishing village, and the fishing traditions of Burano date back to Roman times. Fishing is not the only source of income for Burano. The art of lace making has played a large role in Burano's history.

Legend has it that a betrothed fisherman out at sea was given a wedding veil by a siren, and when he gave it to his betrothed; everyone tried to replicate it with needlework.

Burano lace became famous. King Louis XIV was said to be wearing a Burano lace collar for his coronation and Leonardo Da Vinci purchased a piece for the main altar of the Duomo di Milano.

But what makes Burano different from the rest of the surrounding islands is its houses which are painted all the colours of the rainbow. Though these houses are beautifully painted and look like artwork, the reason for their vivid colors is quite practical. Years ago, the fishermen painted their houses bright colors so when they were coming home in the fog, they knew whose house was whose. That said, the colors of these houses have been in families for centuries. And, if you want to change the color of your house, you have to send in a request to the government.

It is a lovely village and we enjoyed having a look around.

Today's insights:

The Bridge of Sighs (Italian: Ponte dei Sospiri) is a bridge located in Venice. It passes over the Rio di Palazzo and connects the New Prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. It is believed that the bridge's name came about because prisoners would "sigh" at their final view of beautiful Venice through the window before being taken down to their cells.

Venice also has a number of "leaning towers" including:
- the bell tower at San Martino Church on Burano
- the clock tower at San Giorgio dei Greci
- the Santo Stefano Church