Northern Venice Lagoon, Torcello and Sile River

Full day tour – with Driver

The Northern Venice Lagoon

The Sile River with its splendid beauty were detoured in the 16th century around the lagoon by digging artificial canals by the Republic of Venezia to avoid aggradation of the lagoon which would otherwise have made Venice itself vulnerable for other opponents and enemies.

7 HOURS

DRIVER

The Tour: Starting from Certosa, passing Le Vignole, Burano, Torcello, Porte Grandi until Casale sul Sile.
Stops and sightseeing: Sant’Erasmo, S.Francesco del Deserto, Porte Grandi, Quarto d’Altino, Lunch at Cementine in Casale sul Sile, one stop at Torcello, then return to Venice.
Catering: Snacks and Drinks on board; “Venetian lunch on board” on request.
Boat: Riva Rudy / Sweet Molly.
Optional Extras: Private Photographer on board.

Request

Route & Description

Starting from Certosa early at 8.30 am, this tour leads us northeast passing Le Vignole and Sant’ Erasmo, also called the “vegetable garden of Venice”, while you get served a small breakfast, to reach our first destination, San Francesco del Deserto.

Situated between Sant’Erasmo and Burano, this small island is home to a 13th century Franciscan monastery. The monks are happy to show you their retreat. Most visitors leave with the strong impression, that this monastery still holds a sacred place, far away from our busting modern lives.

Leaving San Francesco del Deserto at around 10.30 Sweet Molly will pass through the famous Islands of Burano and Torcello following a rarely used channel to the north where the traffic suddenly becomes much less.

The canal winds through an untouched swamp area which is divided by other small river-like water ways. After a while we will come to the lock of Porte Grandi, where we enter the oldest lock in the Northern Venice Lagoon. The lock will slowly lower or rise us to the level of the river Sile which is lying behind. Now, Sweet Molly will continue driving with its electric mode and you will enjoy the natural beauty of the Sile. We will pass natural preserved shores which are afforested with old Trees and bushes, home to many rare birds.

Further upward we will reach Quarto d’ Altino and will then make a short stop even further upward in Casale sul Sile where you can walk around in this medieval village which was once at war with the Venetians. The castle and the tower were renovated overlooking the river. From here we will now turn our boat and take the trip down the river again while you can enjoy a glass of Prosecco with small regional snacks.

The next highlight will bring us to Le Cementine, well known by locals. We will let you out to visit this fantastic restaurant situated between the compound of a school of art and a charming garden far away from all the tourists, where we booked a table for you and your party.

We will leave Le Cementine after your lunch between 3 and 3.30 pm heading back to the lock again and then reaching Torcello at around 4.30 pm. In case you would seek a short nap; Sweet Molly offers two berths under her long foredeck.

As we arrive most of the tourists will have already left the Torcello.

Before Venice was even founded, the island of Torcello, our next stop, was already populated back in the 5th century. Among the numerous historical sites, the basilica, founded in the 7th century, is the most important. The House of Modern Art “Casa Museo Andrich” brings the arch into the 20th century, offering a wonderful insight into the Venetian way of life with its historical garden and its atmosphere.

Leaving Torcello at around 5.30 pm. we will serve you a Spritz as an Aperitif or any drink of your choosing from our selection of Prosecco/wine or soft drinks. Lastly Sweet Molly, by using her new Volvo Diesel engine with the lowest emission standards, will zoom you back to Venice, where we drop you at your Hotel or close by at around 6.30 pm.