Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHT
A NORTHERN LAGOON BOAT TRIP
Whereas other cities sunk their history in foundations, Venice cast out across the lagoon's patchwork of shifting
mudflats, so seeing and understanding something of the lagoon is integral to understanding Venice. Unesco re-
cognised this by specifically including the 550-sq-km (212-sq-mile) lagoon - the largest coastal wetland in
Europe - in its designation of Venice as a World Heritage Site in 1987.
Rich in unique floral and fauna, the tidal barene (shoals) and salt marshes are part of the city's psyche.
Between September and January over 130,000 migrating birds nest, dive and dabble in the shallows; while year-
round fishermen tend their nets and traps, and city-council workers dredge canals and reinforce shifting islands of
cord-grass and saltwort so essential to the lagoon's ecology.
Take a boat tour with Terra e Acqua ( 347 420 50 04; www.veneziainbarca.it ; day-long trips incl lunch for
9-12 people €380-460) and dock for wine tasting at the Sant'Erasmo cantina , tour the quarantine island of Laz-
zaretto Nuovo and explore Sant'Andrea, the finest fort in the lagoon. Then return to Venice as a rosy-tinted sunset
frames the city's campaniles.
DON'T MISS
» Tour of San Francesco del Deserto ( Click here )
» Fisherman's lunch on board
» Lazzaretto Nuovo
» Forte Sant'Andrea
Burano is also famed for its lemon-scented, S-shaped buranelli biscuits and its hand-
made lace, which once graced the décolleté and ruffs of European aristocracy. Unfortu-
nately the ornate styles and expensive tablewear fell out of vogue in lean post-WWII
times and the industry has since suffered a terminal decline. Some women still maintain
the traditions, but few production houses remain - most of the lace for sale in local shops
is of the imported, machine-made variety.
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