Sometimes doing things on the spur of the moment can lead to interesting and memorable sights and situations when travelling (almost as much as getting lost – believe me, I am expert at that!)… And so, tempted by the “spur of the moment fairy” during a few (unreported) days in Venice last August, we thought we might do exactly that by jumping on a boat, and heading out across the lagoon to one of the islands for a change of scenery…
I have been on some hideous boat journeys in my time, enduring sick-covered ferries in storm force gales, various dive-boats (also not great for sea-sickness) and then there was the unforgettable boat with the inflatable base that took us out to spot whales near Cape Town – all while dark shadows of Great White Sharks darted underneath… So, whilst this next journey to the Island of Burano (one stop on from the slightly better known Murano) might not sound as dramatic as any of the above, I will remember it being equally hellish for other reasons… The fact that it took a slightly tedious 45 minutes wasn’t actually a problem at all, it could almost have been a pleasant boat trip across had it not suddenly become so packed to the rafters with passengers (both locals and tourists alike), that I spent the entirety of the journey (both there and back) pressed up close and personal to persons I had not yet been introduced to, and with my nose in someone’s fragrant arm pit on top of that. But, as is often the case with such situations, it can make for good for people watching – especially when a very elderly local picked a fight with some feisty Korean tourists (they came off worse)…
After such a journey then, you can perhaps understand why by the time we alighted at the tiny Island of Burano, I could quite easily have strangled the “spur of the moment fairy” – and was in a spectacularly foul mood – made none the better by the fact that the boats back to Venice (some 11km away) are only once an hour…
But (luckily for my travel partners) it didn’t take long for my mood to lift significantly, especially upon catching sight of the gorgeous coloured rows of houses that this tiny island is most famous for. Home to some 3000 residents, each member of its population must get special permission should they wish to paint a house – and each of which will receive notification of which colour they are granted by government officials (you would want to stay on the right side of them!)… I do wonder how Bepi Sua managed to get away with his decoration of what is perhaps the most famous house on the island (below) however… 
And Burano is not just famous for its picturesque buildings, sweet little piazza’s, and gorgeous lagoon views either – it’s also pretty good for delicious sea-food served in tiny restaurants, decent ice-cream (both of which meant the Small People definitely loved it!), a huge range of traditional crafts including jewellery and lace-making – and then there’s the most amazingly disconcerting gravity defying church…
Would I recommend Burano? Yes, I think I would – albeit perhaps off-peak. It’s worth it for the photograph opportunities alone that might just have made the hideous journey worthwhile… But there are various other islands in Venice’s Lagoon that are calling next time we visit (although you can’t actually visit all of them sadly – ” how fascinating is this place?) next stop Murano?
The colours are amazing aren’t they? Definitely great for a photographer. I kept thinking why I know Murano and it’s from the glass :)
We must get to Murano next time! Thank you Tas x
Whaooah, what gorgeous colours. There could be no way not to be happy living in that place!
Thank you! :D
wowzers you would never be grumpy living there would you
You might be if your house was a colour you really really hate! :D
Absolutely beautiful photos- just yet another thing to love about Italy.
Quite! Thank you Farrah! :)
Wow, what amazing pictures! This is such a different view of Italy than what I normally see in magazines and other travel websites.
Thank you! It’s a great little island! :)
Emma those colours just draw me in. Stunning
Thanks Fiona! We were lucky with the weather I guess! :)
Beautiful photos! We did a Burano, Torcello and Murano day tour a few years ago and Burano was our favorite. Just loved all those colorful houses and all the lace stores. Although, we didn’t get to eat the seafood.
Thanks Mary… It’s nice to see the other sides to Venice and the surrounding areas isn’t it? :)
Wow – it makes those houses on Balamory look quite dull in comparison!
Thanks Penny…. Balamory did cross my mind! :D
I have been quite a few times to Venice but never made it to either Murano or Burano.
Love these gorgeous colours, makes me want to visit now! xx
Thank you FW, it is worth it! :) xx
Woah! I feel like someone has happy slapped my eyeballs – in a good way of course. That top pic looks like theb uilding is smiling – and I know I would be if I were there too. Just WOW
Thanks Annie! :D x
oh wow – wow!! that’s on the list… has anyone got a helicopter??
That sounds like a good idea… Or a submarine! Thanks Ali! :)
When I see photographs of places like this it always makes me think that we should all paint our houses crazy colours. I’m sure it would instantly make me smile to walk along a street like that in the morning. Beautiful!
Thanks Kirsty… When we lived in South West London there was one house painted bright pink that definitely stood out from the crowd!! :D xx
Ugh. That ferry journey sounded like hell. A trip on the underground. But Oh! Those houses – how gorgeous are they, how vibrant – so I guess a lovely visit in the end. If I ever make it to that island, I will go off peak. I wonder if anyone has ever written a novel based on Murano – would make a wonderful setting… X
This was even worse than LU… It was on a par with Tokyo!! :D Thank you… I read a really interesting book by an expat in Venice, will find the title and let you know what it’s called! :) xx
We did Murano on our visit to Venice – we were lucky the vaporetto wasn’t too busy. Hadn’t realised Burano was so colourful especially against the blue sky.
We were at least incredibly lucky with the weather! :D Thanks Trish! :) xx
Are they not allowed to have the same colour as next door? Very colourful.
I don’t think they are… Imagine if you had just built a new house and then you were given a colour you really really hated! :D
These all look SO worth a hellish journey :)
Thank you Anya! :) x
Oh my that is stunning. I shall add to my list of places I must go and see. Frankly if you get to Venice it would be rude not to!
I think if you are in Venice for longer than 2 or 3 days, then you really should go and visit! Thank you! :)
Oh wow, wow, wow. Emma your photos are S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G. What a beautiful place!
Thanks so much! :)
Just looking at the gorgeous colours in those pictures brightened up my day :)
Thanks Stacey! :)
It’s beautiful, like a Mediterranean Balamory! ;) x
It completely is isn’t it? Definitely no balamory bus though! :D
The colours in this are extraordinary! Brilliantly captured.
Thank you T! :)
What beautiful photos!
Thank you Maggy! :)
Oh the colours are stunning!
Thank you Becky! :)
Gorgeous pictures, Emma and a description that made me laugh!
Thank you Brooke! :) Completely jealous of where you are right now! :)
Oh Emma, Burano looks amazing. I am adding to my list of must have places to visit. xx
Thank you lovely xxx
Stunning photos, glad your mood lifted! :)
Thanks Lisa! Me too! :)
What amazing colours, so unusual. I’d love to visit Murano, I’m a sucker for glassware
Perhaps that’s why my husband suggested Burano! I will blame it on him! Thank you! :)
journey sounds like hell, find a few minutes in a packed tube bad enough and I’m not great on boats! But gorgeous photos, such bright, cheery colours….like a very sunny Balamory :) x
I know… I have travelled this area alot, and I know how busy the Vaporetto can get, but this was extreme! :D Thank you. If Edie Macredie had been sailing, she would not have stood for it, I can tell you! :D xx
It’s a happy little piece of art, Burano, isn’t it? You took me back there with your gorgeous photos, Emma. And the perfect antidote of a post for the grey here.
Thanks Pia… Just grey and white here currently too! :)
Lovely post! You transported me back to Venice with your wonderful photos (I last went in 2003). Often Burano and Murano are overlooked, but Will and I loved how uncrowded and quirky they were. It was as though time had stood still.
Thank you…. You know, despite how many times we have been there now, I need to visit in the winter as it’s always been busy, but I know what you mean about time standing still! :)
We didn’t make to any of the islands when we visited Venice, but I wanted to. He’ll have to take me back again ;-)
Definitely definitely! :)
how fascinating and check out my post tomorrow – you will see why.
Oh my goodness, that boat journey sounds equally hellish! At least we didn’t lose our tickets I suppose! :D
Those houses are beautiful, but mostly I’m taken by the colour of that sky, it’s gorgeous. Makes me feel warmer just looking at it! I really wouldn’t mind a holiday at all right now. Lovely, lovely photos.
I know… Not many of those blue skies around at the moment are there? Thank you… :)
My, those colours are just fabulous! And I’m so glad you refrained from killing the ‘spur of the moment fairy’ despite the great provocation – travelling with your nose wedged under a stranger’s armpit is never a good thing :-( x
You will not believe how happy I was to get off at the other end!! :D Thank you… xx
Murano is not as colourful but it is very quaint. I love looking in the little shop with the famous murano glass and we even had a sneak peak at them blowing the glass once. Maybe next time I will convince hubby to try burano! I guess you have to remember the ferry is like taking a bus and sometimes it gets a bit busy :)
I shall look forward to it…. You are completely right, I just might not have chosen to get on this particular bus had I known how long the trip to get there was! :D Oh well, you live and learn! Have you heard of that other island? Seems such a shame that it’s completely deserted now… Thank you by the way! :)