02 Sep 2024
Dreadful... I don't know what we expected, but a group of ~200 grownups (plus several hapless children) being hauled courtesy of a weary old water-bus with promoter's logo obligingly printed on the gunnels and across the ample stern, was hardly our hope. Yes, the narrator did speak using an onboard P.A. setup which in any case was so loud that every word (repeated in I think four languages, true) was distorted beyond comprehension. At Murano we were all herded into a bleachers-filled room to watch a glass blower—well—blow glass for a few minutes. Impressive results without much if any explanation. Show over... Continuing through the planned gauntlet which led into impressive showrooms of classy glass creations, eventually we emerged into sunlight—after asking saleslady where we might find the exit. Whew.
Next our large bunch boarded a boat that might have been a large prop for the Barbie movie. Pink. After more gnarled syllables from our explainer, we alighted on Torcello. With no clue given about a return to Venice, neither time nor farewell. At some point we bought tickets on the regular-scheduled vaporetto, and returned more or less home... actual HOME (where we started) being a generous 40 minute walk from where we exited the water-bus.
Summing up, this thing looked better on my tablet screen than its reality. I would like to do an actual tour of these places —but not with an outfit whose hands were sweaty from just turning the crank.