Advice/help

Do we need to make reservations for tours of anything we want to do ahead to save time?
Where? For some venues, like some museums, reservations could save time. But if you don't know what you plan to do, then wing it.

What about restaurants?
Reservations are recommended for some restaurants especially for larger parties. But if there are only 4 of you, they might be able to seat you, albeit after a little wait. Italians show up at restaurants between 8:30 pm (in Rome and south even later than 9pm) and 10pm. So if you go early when they open (restaurants open for dinner at 7pm generally) they might be able to sit you without reservations even if they are fully booked if you promise to finish by 9:30pm. Outside of big cities people eat a bit earlier. When I make reservations (rarely since it's usually just me and my wife, and they can always sit 2 people) I usually make them the same day, sometimes the same evening just before showing up.

Gondola ride.
Any gondolier will do.

Murano glass?
It's an interesting show of skills. I think it's worth it. Don't remember the names of the ones I've been.

Walking food tour.
Never done it and I don't know. Just don't eat food while you eat in Florence. They'll fine you.

These are things you need to pre-book in Venice if they are of interest:

• Secret Itineraries Tour at the Doge's Palace. I don't think regular entry tickets are too much of a problem. I've heard an early entry time is good in the summer, because the palace gets hotter as the day goes on.

• Viewing platform at T Fondaco dei Tedeschi (free, but it sells out quickly as tickets go on sale)

• Basilica San Marco. Line is fast-moving but quite long. Many people like to pre-book entry there to avoid a wait of 30 minutes or so (potentially longer, I guess). Those reservations sell quickly.

I can't give advice on glass-blowing demonstrations because I haven't been to any in Venice. There are several places on Murano where you can (if you're there at the right time of day) perhaps see a demo. However, glass-blowing is really hot work, and your trip is in July, so I wonder whether hours will be more limited then.

The highest concentration of glass shops is on Murano. There's good glass there, inexpensive glass there, and lots of not-produced-in-Venice glass there. All those categories of glass can be found in Venice proper as well, they're just more scattered. There are several shops with expensive glass around San Marco, but there's a much wider selection on Murano. People really serious about glass will want to go to Murano (and visit shops whose windows don't look like a discount store), but others may be perfectly satisfied just to look at what they encounter as they walk around. Prices vary, but for folks interested in picking up some really inexpensive glass jewelry, there may not be enough difference in cost to worry about on a short trip to a fabulous place like Venice.

It's my impression the little lampwork animals are mostly imported. If buying jewelry, take a look at any metal fittings; they may give you a clue as to the overall quality. The clasps are often very fragile-looking; if they seem unlikely to last more than a day, I figure there's a good chance the swirly glass pendant isn't Venetian. Expect murrine items to be more expensive.

I think the going rate for gondola rides is currently 90 euros in the daytime and 110 euros at night, for up to 5 people. Standard trips are about 30 minutes, but I'm sure you can arrange something longer, for more money, if you want to.

Thank you for your help - it takes me hours and hours to plan:-)

The gondolas hang out in certain areas like taxi stands. Your hotel should be able to point you to the nearest one. You can walk by during the day and arrange for one for that evening. I think it's best in the evening when it's quieter, less traffic, and the lights are on on the Grand Canal. They have standard routes but you can negotiate if you want to see something specific. Music and narration extra. No need to book ahead of your trip. The gondoliers will be calling out to you when you walk by.