Murano- Burano…most beautiful relaxing day yet!

As mentioned my morning started out solo, I was out of the house alone to take the trash to the garbage boat and find WiFi. The garbage system is truly an experience, boats pull up to each campo(square) in each neighborhood to collect tiny trash bags between 8-9 am. There is no other way to throw trash away. Not many public trash cans and yet it works as city is clean. Anyways….I find a cute Cafe, order a yummy Almond croissant, doctor up another strong coffee with sugar/milk and connect. Thankfully our kind incredibly attentive hosts have been here already today to fix the problem and we are back on.

The trek starts to get across the city but to a different spot than prior, that we once again get lost in Venice. Every tourist we pass is experiencing the same as these canals and dead end alleyways could make you crazy. We see gondoliers getting there boats ready for the day, drinking coffee in full gear. We wander upon the “cupcake church” we had learned about from Clementine. Tracy is psyched as she really wanted to go inside. All is for the good and our stumbling upon it was meant to be. She and Tabby go into explore, while Sydney and I sit outside a storekeepers shop. Tracy has an emotionally moving cultural moment inside as she loves art history. Her day is beyond her wildest dreams and complete as she saw artists she loves. We continue on towards the boats to take us to Islands that blow your sensory eyesight that people truly live surrounded by all its beauty.

We board the boat after purchasing a day pass to ride the Vaparetto. We are packed like sardines on this smal boat in the sea. It’s a gorgeous day, the sun is shining, a blue sky, and the water is a majestic blue-green color. We are surprised by how clean it looks.

First stop, Murano- the island of colored glass. We venture in and out of  so many stores. So many gift items are purchased. I got my 6 girlies, my mom, and myself earrings. As well a beautiful black and white glass statue of a man and woman embracing to put on my wall unit at home. My usual magnets have been purchased and my shopping is complete. Tracy and kids buy many glass animals, earrings, and the famous Italian glass candy pieces. Tracy accidentally broke a glass animal. Thankfully this store owner was friendly not like the one I encountered. This guy was so understanding and kind, ended up giving her a lesson of the Italian language. We had stopped for our daily gelato which Tabby and I were eating outside of a different store window, this shopkeeper was glaring at us for eating near her window, she came outside and sprayed windex on the window in front of us…..I was dying, was she serious….Tabby said she was giving me a stink eye. Listen lady we are on vacation….Omg….some people 🙂 We are walking over bridges, along water with again the most picturesque scenery, truly my descriptions don’t do it justice. It’s like living inside a postcard setting on steroids. So colorful and breathtaking. It’s a small island that after an hour and a half we are ready for the next adventure.

We catch the boat off the island headed towards Burano. This is the island of lace and colored painted houses. Once on the boat, again packed like sardines I’m situated in front of 2 strollers…the cutest babies ever! One boy and one girl, they are cousins 8 months and 6 months old. I get the little girl to giggle and smile, such a sweet family. The grandma is along for the vacation too. Can you imagine vacationing with babies in strollers to Italy?! The sea is calm, the breeze is in my hair, we pass the Island of Torcello and finally arrive in my favorite place yet. I know I said Verona was my favorite 😉 lol

Burano is the island where Clementina was raised, we can’t imagine growing up here as it is tiny. You could walk the whole place in 1 hour. It’s like out of a coloring book and looks make believe! This place is unreal. My initial thoughts are it’s similiar to Portofino but than we turn a corner and boom…..color is exploding before my eyes. The houses, stores, buildings, restaurants…..all a bright beautiful shade of blues, purples, greens, yellows, pinks, orange, red…..you get the picture. It’s stunning! We are starving and Tracy has a recommendation of a fancy restaurant her coworker suggested we eat. We order the normal caprese, and a mixed cheese plate which came with 2 flavors of jam. The best part of this meal was my over the top grilled sole- deboned tableside. I know who do I think I am….fancy Laurie 😉 it came with a form of polenta that was also yummy!! My tastebuds are in disbelief and I’m in heaven. All girls got pasta. I must say my order topped the charts at this restaurant. We face time my cousin Adam as today is his birthday. Shout out to you if your reading…..Happy Birthday Adam! We walk in/out of lace stores. I’m blown away by the little old ladies sitting in chairs inside the stores working so hard, with their glasses on, hand sewing lace table cloths, handkerchiefs, dresses, baby clothes, bibs, etc. Like the family business on the Island. Unreal quality with some serious detail. Tabby and I share a lemon/sugar crepe. I know how do we still eat…..good question! My stomach is killing me. Thankfully Sydney informed us we walked 7.9 miles yesterday and 8 miles the day before. Thank goodness as I hear a juice cleanse calling my name once I’m home. Lol

We can’t stop taking photos of the scenery. We pose everywhere and assist others in their photo snaps. Never have I thought selfie sticks were a good idea, I must say I’m jealous of the people who have them in hand everywhere. I fill up my empty water bottle by the fresh water well fountain, which to me is so cool. Could you imagine not needing to buy bottled water? A real treat here…fresh water.

We sadly leave Burano and board the Vaparetto back to Venezia. Again swarming sardines, Tabby is on a mission to get a real seat and not stand for the journey back. We score a great spot and discuss how perfect the day was so far. We have decided instead of wandering back through the city afraid we may get lost, we will take the Vaparetto, number 2 all the way around. If you have been to Venice you know what I mean. It was 9 boat stops away but no one wants to walk and we have not done it yet. Might as well make the most of our all day pass. This ride was fun and dreamy as it was almost sunset. I must say being on the water at Sunset was incredible. We passed by 2 huge luxurious yachts that the rich and famous must be vacationing here. It was a scene out of a movie. We start the game of A my name is Audrey, my husbands name is Albert, we come from Alabama, and we sell apples. I’m sure the people standing nearest to us think we are obnoxious loud Americans. Then a dog boards the boat, yes Cohens go goo goo gaa gaa and so does another passenger that we have a new touring friend. The other dog lover from Australia starts showing off photos of her dog, what was unique is the breed, an Italian truffle dog…..sounds like one to eat, lol ha ha.

We exit at San Marco to make it back to the famous Harry’s bar for one last Bellini in Venice. Girls get a non alcoholic one. They bring over a fancy complimentary Hordeurves …chicken and mushroom croquettes, we all gobble them down as they were scrumptious. Why not continue on the 5 star mood, we head back to my parents Daniele Hotel, thinking we will eat on the balcony. With no reservation, it’s not possible. The lobby bar at this place is elegant, classy, and relaxing. A live pianist is playing and the song list is incredible. We recognize so many songs. They all order 2 cheeseburgers and fries to share, I’m determined to find a light snack on the walk home and order just a drink. The Belvedere in Sorentto, created by the mixologist. A refreshing Amalfi Lemoncello with Belvedere Vodka. It was divine. They bring out complimentary finger sandwiches which I eat up. We lounge, rest, relax and take in this peaceful time on our trip. Susan G you would have been proud by the slow pace of the day 😉We watch some of my old family film footage as they wish they met my daddy, so why not bring him to life for them 🙂 My fav…..we then notice a big B sign in the distance and you won’t believe it, the last song played by piano guy before we leave is My Way! Bruce is in the house!!!

We realize a small problem, all rental cars are manual which I don’t drive, no automatic option in Italy. The Ferrari museum is a must see on the list of this journey so we shall see how it all unfolds. Fingers crossed we just backtrack by train by an hour……my mom should be happier now to know I won’t be driving in Italy, Car rental canceled.

We make our way home without getting lost, stopped at a candy store as they wanted a chocolate bar. We are like normal people living in Venice. Home to clean apartment, empty dishwasher, pack our suitcases, some shower etc. Sydney requests to hear more France emails, so we reminisce and laugh. Do some face times and it’s bed time. Our host will be here by 9:15 am to check us out and assist with luggage to water taxi. They have been incredible with customer and will get a stellar review from me. With our shower door hang ups and WiFi mishap, they pulled through.we will now board a 10:25 am train to Bologna to drop off luggage before heading back to visit Ferrari. We all love the relaxation of a train ride. The more the merrier.

Until tomorrow……

love you XO 🙂