With 180 islands connected by over 400 bridges, you can arrive by rail and walk from the head of the fish (western Venice), all the way down to the arsenal and Giardini della Biennale in the tail of the fish (the easternmost point). However, you would miss out on more than half of Venice if you didn't catch a boat somewhere. Not just for the experience mind you, Venice Lagoon is home to many numbers of smaller, fascinating islands. If you want to skip the crowds of San Marco and experience beaches and farms, Universities and Luxury Hotels, and islands overflowing with the brightest most colourful houses you have ever seen, then island hopping in the Venice Lagoon is a journey you will adore.

This article has become quite large, so I have split it into two. I'll start in the North Lagoon form Torcello to Venice in this blog and then continue in the next blog in the South Lagoon from Venice to Chioggia.

Torcello