The Blue-Green Lagoon

This Venetian Lagoon excursion takes us back to the beginnings of Venice, when, after the fall of the Roman Empire, entire communities fled into the shallow, maze-like wetlands to escape invading tribes and slowly began to build what would one day become the city.

Torcello is believed to be the oldest settlement in the lagoon. It was once a busy trading centre, long before Venice took shape. Today, the island feels quieter, with just a few houses and a handful of paths. The thousand-year-old cathedral preserves extraordinary Byzantine mosaics: gold and glass tesserae still shimmer in the light, while the Last Judgment — with its clear division between paradise and hell — is a reminder of a world shaped by faith, fear, and beauty.

Burano is just a short boat ride away. Once known for its lace-makers, it still carries traces of that tradition — a few women can sometimes be seen working outside their homes, especially in the warmer months.
It is a typical Mediterranean fishing village, known for its brightly coloured houses — an irresistible scene for any photographer.

Murano has been known for its glassmaking since the Middle Ages. Some workshops are still internationally renowned for their craftsmanship and design. A walk along the canal takes us past shops and studios displaying every kind of glass — from simple everyday objects to bold contemporary pieces.
We can visit the 12th-century church of San Donato, with its striking mosaic floor, and, if desired, step inside one of the island’s oldest furnaces to watch the glassblowers at work.

The tour also offers a chance to discuss today’s challenges in the lagoon — from floods and dams to the construction of artificial islands.