Murano, Burano and Torcello

The kids were happy this morning because they had a chance to sleep in a bit longer as we didn't have much planned for the morning. Our tour to the islands Murano, Burano and Torcello was booked in at 1pm.

Before lunch the kids just relaxed and did their own thing. A group went out with Carmina for some shopping, pizza and donuts. When they got back I took another group to get pizzas and donuts. I was especially impressed with young Kaitlin and her continued support for the poor and needy. Today she offered a hungry man a piece of pizza! I wish I had of captured this moment on camera as the man reached out with two flat hands and a smile on his face. On several occasions our students have seen the poor and offered a couple of Euro to them!

Our tour guide met us at the hotel at 1pm and we walked to meet our water taxi. Our first stop was Murano, famous for its glass all around the world. We were greeted by Andrea who I believe was the owner of a small foundry and boutique Murano glass shop! He showed us through to an area where his best glass blower put on a demonstration. Within 5 mins he had blown a colourful vase and then in another 3 mins a medium sized prancing horse. The way he manipulated the glass at that high temperature whilst spinning it was jaw dropping!! We took plenty of photos and videos. The kids went in and bought plenty of Murano glass and we left just after 2.30.

The next stop was Burano, famous for its lace and doilies. Not my cup of tea but as Carmina said her mother and my grandmother would've loved it. Burano is very colourful due to each family painting their buildings in a different colour. We stopped for an hour to give the kids time to look around and buy some lace or souvenirs then we left around 4pm.

Our last thing to do was to go and see Torcello, home to the oldest church in Venice. We thought time and the weather would be against us so just drove past on the boat rather than risking the wet weather. On our way past we took some photos then returned to the mainland.

After our tour the kids were a bit tired so we went back to the hotel for a rest before dinner. For dinner we had Roast Chicken with fries and Creme caramel dressed as Pannacotta (it was meant to be pannacotta but tasted very average). We returned to the hotel by 8.30 and lights were out by 9.

Tomorrow is our last full day in Venice. We are going to Palazzo Ducale and on a gondola ride. I'm looking forward to coming home Saturday/Sunday and I think some of the kids are too!!