Last Updated on November 1, 2023 by Tori Pines
Today in my Italy Travel Journal, we take on the island of Burano, and explore more of Venice. Read on for our most colorful adventures yet!
We spent the day in Burano today!! This morning we woke up around 8:30 and were at the vaporetto stop by around 9:30. We have decided that we have no idea how the timetables work for the vaporetto. We can figure out where to go for the different stops, but the times are just not something we understand, so we just kind of show up and wait.
After waiting a long time, about 30 minutes, we eventually got on a boat and rode it for about an hour to Murano. Then another 30 minutes or so until we finally made it to Burano! It was an extremely long process and we were definitely getting frustrated but it was okay, we had no plans or places we had to be.
When we finally made it to Burano, it was as gorgeous as the photos show, if not even more!! I kind of expected it to be just one little area or just not as brightly colored as the photos make it seem, but I was extremely surprised! The entire island was beautiful, bright and amazing. I was shocked.
I had read that food there was typically excellent so we were excited to try something for lunch, and we ended up picking a fairly fancy place because we knew we were having a cheap dinner later.
The place was called Riva Rosa. We ordered the mixed fried seafood plate, because obviously that’s what you order in Burano! And we also got the risotto, because this area is known for it as well. Both were so amazing, not a single complaint they were delicious! We did not have a reservation, but we got there fairly early for Italy lunch standards, around 12:30. If we had arrived 30 minutes later we probably would not have gotten a table. That being said, I recommend making a reservation if you can! You seriously cannot go wrong with this place, everything about it was perfect.
After lunch we did a little shopping and then headed back to the vaporetto dock to head back. We were able to take the boat straight back to Venice without stopping at Murano (still not really sure why). And instead of getting on another boat to get back to Saint Mark’s Square we decided to walk, the boats are just too slow and rocky for our liking.
It was a long process getting to and from Burano, one that I don’t think everyone should do. It’s a beautiful and quaint little island, but it takes a lot of time and energy to get there. I understand if people want to go, but just be prepared, it’s a journey! To do both Burano and Murano would be a whole day ordeal.
We stopped at a produce stand and bought strawberries, I had heard they have some of the best here on the island. When we got back we rested for a bit in the hotel and then went back out to wander a little more and eventually get dinner. It started raining, we got poured on, soaking wet!!
But we grabbed dinner anyway to take back to the room. We had heard a lot about the pasta to-go place called Dal Moro’s, so we grabbed 3 boxes to try different flavors and headed back through the pouring rain. The pasta was honestly very bad, especially compared to everything else we have tried this trip, but still better than Olive Garden back home so I guess that’s still a win!
We went back out one last time now that the rain had passed to get some gelato. We couldn’t find a single place open in the non touristy areas so we ended up back at Saint Mark’s Square to try some of the places they tell you not to try. Wow, are those people right!! It was bad, the worst we have had the whole trip by far, we didn’t even finish it. It was so icy and not creamy at all. So now we have the proof that the stories are true, look for gelato that is flat and not all piled up high, go away from the tourist spots and seek out places that are highly recommended!
I know this is often a very very very unpopular opinion, but we didn’t love Venice. I’m definitely glad we went to see it once, as it is truly beautiful and unlike anywhere else. However, it was so crowded, so difficult to get around and the food overall was pretty underwhelming, especially compared to Florence. We are pretty excited to be on to the next place. Some people LOVE it and I completely understand why but we all have our own opinions so take it with a grain of salt!
Tomorrow we have an extremely long travel day, but I’m excited to say that tomorrow we will be in Positano!! I truly cannot wait. Until tomorrow, Buona Sera!!
Make sure you read the Day 9 Daily Journal next, and please be sure to read through all of my Italy travel resources to help you plan the perfect vacation.
