You'd think Venice already had enough of the world's attractions, but the city has just turned Isola di Certosa (a deserted island in the lagoon, only 10 minutes from San Marco by vaporetto) into an artisan center to recreate the traditional crafts that once made the city famous: boat building, glass blowing, cinema, art, and fashion. Master classes, lasting from three to eight months, are being taught (in English and Italian) by experts in each field, but there are also weekend courses that can be completed in a month. Italy's prestigious Instituto Europeo di Design has opened an outpost here to oversee the activities and is also running its own workshops, including a two-week program in designing leather goods. Visitors are welcome to tour the warehouses (but best to call ahead), and there is now a restaurant on the island. Coming next year: Cooking classes, although there's no word yet on who will teach them.
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