Getaway For A Day: Venice and Murano Island from Florence by High-Speed Train

About the Tour:

Meet your greeter in Florence at 8:00am and board the high-speed train to Venice in just 2 hours.   This excursion will lead you into the heart of Venice and its enchanting Lagoon.  We'll take you through the alley's and bridges unique aura of the floating city.  Learn the fascinating history of Venice as you wander throughout this romantic maze rich in secrets and characters like Casanova or Titian.  Tour the impressive St. Mark's Basilica.  Enjoy your leisure time in Piazza S.Marco observing Doge's Palace architecture before boarding the next Vaporetto for a short boat ride to the Island of Murano this charming island is famous for the distinctive crafts that have been made for centuries by their resident artisans. This tour, which visits the glass-making workshops of Murano, lets you learn about the history of these generations-old crafts, meet artisans and watch them at work, and shop for unique souvenirs to bring home. Accompanying you will be an expert, English-speaking guide whose knowledge illuminates the significance of this creative outpost.  

What We Love About This Tour:

• Watching Murano glassmakers practice their craft, which has been handed down through generations of artisans
• Choosing gifts and keepsakes to take home that have been handmade in these unique artistic enclaves
• Best of Venice tour 
• Leisure time in Piazza of St. Mark's Square to sip on espresso or enjoy gelato!  

Tour Itinerary:

Stop 1:  Venice 

After meeting your group at 8:00 a.m. in Florence Santa Maria train station, you board a high speed train to Venice Santa Lucia.  After your guide greets you upon your arrival to Venice, you’ll board a vaporetto taking you through the Grand Canal to see some famous sites like the Rialto Bridge. Learn the fascinating history of Venice as you wander through this Romantic maze rich in secrets and characters like Casanova or Titan.  Get stunned with the impressive St. Mark's Square and Basilica, as well as the elegant Doge's Palace that feature a typical Venetian style influenced by Oriental architecture.   After a bit of leisure time in the Piazza San Marco for tasting an espresso or gelato.  You’ll continue to your next stop Murano. 

Stop 2:  Murano

Take the short vaporetto boat to Murano—a tiny island known all over the world for its exquisitely elaborate colorful and glasswork. You’ll learn about the island’s history as a glassmaking enclave (which dates to the 13th century), visit an illustrious glass-making workshop, and watch a demonstration of how Murano glass is blown, colored, and shaped. You’ll also get to shop in the gallery boutique for glass pieces to bring or ship home.

Stop 3:  Florence 

You'll take the 6:25 pm train for your relaxing return trip to Florence, arriving back by 8:30 pm.  

What’s Included:

• Greeter at Florence Santa Maria Novella train station 

• Round trip tickets on high-speed train to Venice 

• Vaporetto transport through Venice Grand canals and to Murano island

• Murano Glass factory tour

• Guided walking tour of Venice 

• Leisure time in St Mark's Piazza 

• Entrance to St. Mark's Basilica 

Not Included: 

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off

• Gratuities

Important to Know:

• Price is based on a minimum of 2 participants
• Please be sure to arrive at the tour departure point 30 minutes before the starting time. Guests arriving after departure cannot be accommodated, and missed tours or tickets will not be refunded.
• Unfortunately, wheelchairs and strollers cannot be accommodated on this tour
• A Child ticket is mandatory ages from 2 to 14 years.  Infants 1 year and under are free.  
  
  

Important to Bring:

• Good walking shoes. This tour includes several sets of stairs.
• A hat, sunscreen, and bottled water. Many parts of the islands are not shaded.