An Afternoon On Burano

  "Down time" is really important when traveling. Johnny and I tend to "go...go...go", sometimes for hours on end, while here in Venice. There's just so much we want to see...especially with the biennale going on all over town.

  A favorite day of relaxation for us starts with the forty minute boat ride out to Burano and Torcello, two islands out in the lagoon surrounding Venice. We have a favorite little spot on the canal for lunch. It's in the area known as Mazzorbo.

 We love this spot because of it's patio, and general laid back attitude. 

Trattoria  Maddelena

  The menu is light on vegetarian options, but that's ok. They make the best "sugo pomodoro", tomato sauce....from their own just picked tomatoes. The garden is right out back. This time we were served gnocchi with said sauce....and some grilled veg, a bit of wine...

The simple pleasure of gnocchi with red sauce. Done very well here....

Wood grilled veg.

A semi-light lunch.

The most relaxing view from our canal side table. Swans.......just an extra bonus.

  We were in the mood for a sweet treat....what better than home made tiramisu and an espresso?

  Well, the crostata di mele(apples)was pretty damn good, too....

Johnny couldn't help himself, I guess. The last of the tiramisu makes a fine self portrait.
On a few levels, I'm thinking.....

  Lunch done, we head to the inner canals of Burano...I had walked all over the island last trip, while Johnny painted along the canal, but he had never really seen the back streets. 

  Like Venice and Murano, there is an area here on Burano that is packed with visitors eating and buying stuff. Once you weave through the crowds, you will find yourself in another world.

  Don't be put off by the "touristy" area. We are tourists, of course, but it's so easy to walk a few extra minutes to find the less traveled spots.

  Burano is known for it's brightly colored houses. This year it seemed almost everyone had just painted their homes. It was so electric!

  Plus, just a perfect day to be strolling around....

I loved this color combo.

Typical canal in Burano. The wooden bridges show up here and there.

Only certain colors are permitted. I wonder if they care which go next to which?
It's all good.

An inner open area surrounded by colorful homes.

You get a good idea of the perimeter of each family's home.

  Johnny kept saying it's like living inside of a painting. 

  A most valid statement, for sure....

All the hanging laundry, blowing in the gentlest breeze...just an added plus.

  A seriously nice way to walk off our lunch, we both enjoyed the time spent trying to "just get lost".

  I had to get one of the requisite "reflections in the water" shots.....classic!

Just a handful of people walking back in this part of town. Nice.

  We both loved the aged paint on this yellow house. It was a beautiful contrast to all the freshly made up houses along the way. Plus, it reminded me of one of Johnny's paintings.....

An old beauty. I'll take it.

  So here we are, strolling along, hand in hand, minding our own business...feeling full, happy and a little dozey...perhaps even dopey.....

 WHEN.......

Cue the music....AND....cut.
End of a perfect day.