Toward the end of our three-week honeymoon through Italy with our toddler, we spent a few days exploring Venice before continuing on to Lake Como. After flying in from Sicily, we left our rental car behind and made our way into the Venetian Lagoon, deciding to stay on the colorful island of Burano rather than in Venice itself. This was my second time visiting Venice and Andrew’s first, and while we both wanted to see the city’s highlights, we were especially drawn to the idea of staying somewhere quieter and more local. Just a 30-minute Vaporetto ride from Venice, Burano offered exactly that—brightly painted houses, winding canals, and a slower rhythm of life that felt completely different from the busier streets of Venice.

We stayed at Casa Burano, which is affiliated with Venissa Wine Resort on the neighboring island of Mazzorbo. Our room was located inside one of Burano’s beautifully restored colorful homes and quickly became one of our favorite accommodations of the trip. I especially loved the green tiled bathroom, spacious walk-in shower, and heated floors that made the chilly November mornings feel extra cozy. Each morning, Andrew would make espresso in the building’s shared coffee bar before we walked over to Osteria Contemporanea at Venissa for breakfast. The highlight of our stay was a wine tasting and tour at Venissa, where we learned about the rare Venetian grape variety they helped save from extinction and sampled several vintages of their unique wines. We also discovered that the gold labels on each bottle are hand-hammered by the last remaining family of traditional goldsmiths in Venice. Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious farm-to-table dinner at Osteria Contemporanea, the perfect way to spend our final evening in the Venetian Lagoon.

Looking back, staying at Venissa Wine Resort and Casa Burano was one of the most memorable hotel experiences of our entire trip. We loved being able to experience a quieter side of Venice while still having easy access to the city whenever we wanted. The colorful canals of Burano, peaceful atmosphere of Mazzorbo, thoughtful accommodations, and incredible food and wine created the perfect setting to slow down and savor the final days of our honeymoon. It was a wonderful reminder that some of the best travel experiences happen just beyond the most famous destinations.

XOXO