Full-Day Experience
The Quiet Side of Venice: a Boat Day in the Lagoon
The Lagoon Journey
We experienced this day ourselves and loved it! Here is what it was actually like:
We were picked up at 11am in the centre of Venice, in a traditional wooden boat. It was a beautiful day, the sun was out, and the boat had a sun-deck so that already put us in a great mood before we'd even left the dock. Already a fantastic start!
THE PICKUP
Our first stop was Murano island, and specifically a glassblowing workshop.
Watching a master shape molten glass with nothing but breath and a steel rod is a hypnotic spectacle, but it was the context that truly left an impression: Fifty years ago, this island had 200 factories; today, only 40 remain. Standing in the heat of the workshop, you can feel the pride and the weight of preserving this craft.
This particular factory is one of the most respected on the island. They've had a collaboration with the Peggy Guggenheim Collection since the 1960s, and beyond their own traditional pieces, they lend their craftsmanship to artists from around the world who come to present at the Biennale. They showed us their museum at the end, including a preview of what will be exhibited this upcoming year!
MURANO
After the workshop, we had a short walk around Murano and lunch at Acquastanca: a tiny restaurant that had a small but really excellent menu which we would highly recommend. That said, there are other good options if you want something different; we can suggest alternatives.
LUNCH
We hopped back on the boat and headed to Torcello. To go there, you pass in front of Mazzorbo and Venissa, a winery on its own island with vineyards right at the water's edge. Once you arrive to Torcello, you enter through its narrow interior canals which are super quiet and calming.
We arrived in front of Locanda Cipriani, an iconic hotel set to reopen in May 2026 after a long restoration. From there, we visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, which houses some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in existence and somehow still feels undervisited. Then, we went up the Campanile. The view from the top, with Venice in the distance and the whole lagoon stretching out below was so beautiful and peaceful.
TORCELLO
The last stop was probably the most unusual one of the day: a small island occupied entirely by a Franciscan monastery. A handful of monks live there year-round, tending the gardens and maintaining a pledge of silence that you can genuinely feel when you arrive. Whether you're religious or not, there's a very special energy that can be felt here: a sense that the rest of the world is very far away…
On the way back, we passed Sant'Erasmo. This island is the lagoon's kitchen garden, a flat agricultural island where Venetians have grown their vegetables for centuries.
Then back into the city, arriving with just enough time to relax a little before the evening. The perfect landing.
THE ISLAND OF SILENCE
Book Your Experience
Where: Venice, Italy (different pick-up points available)
When: Upon host availability
Cost: 1,250€ per day
Capacity: From 1 to 12 people
Language: English, Italian & private guides in different languages available too
Dates: Available all year long
What’s Included:
Pickup and drop off from Venice
Classic Venetian boat full day tour
Local Boat driver
Prosecco, water and potato chips
Murano glass factory visit and demonstration
We'll confirm availability and connect you directly with the hosts.
Cancellation Policy: This hosts cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 7 days before the experience.
