The legend: Burano's fishermen painted their houses in bright, distinct colors so they could identify their own home from the lagoon through the fog. The reality: nobody knows exactly when or why the tradition started. What's certain: the result is the most photogenic island in Europe — 3,000 people living on a 21-hectare island where every house is painted a different shade of yellow, pink, blue, green, orange, red, or purple, and where changing your house color requires government permission (the city assigns approved colors to maintain the palette). Beyond the colors: Burano lace (merletto — a tradition dating to the 16th century, now practiced by a handful of elderly women, the Museo del Merletto documents the art, €5) and bussolai (ring-shaped butter cookies, €3/bag at any bakery — the island's edible signature). Venice: vaporetto line 12 from Fondamente Nove, 45 min.
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