We will be leaving next week for the RS Venice, Florence, Rome Tour. We arrive in Venice Saturday Morning and the tour starts Monday afternoon. We were thinking of going to Murano on Sunday (it is not part of our RS tour, but Burano is). We've read that is is very commercialized and the vendors are very pushy. I would like to buy some true Murano jewelry/earrings to bring back as Xmas gifts. Do you think Murano is worth a visit, or will we find Murano glass jewelry in Venice or Burano? Will the shops even be open on Sunday?
Posted by
Campbell River, Canada
361 posts
Buon giorno chinalake67, I can only speak to my own experience but Murano on a Sunday isn't the greatest choice as there were very few shops open so there wasn't much to do other than sightsee. We enjoyed Burano tho also quite quiet on Sunday. Perhaps Torcello, supposed to be the island first settled. One of the regulars on this forum will probably speak to it later. We found that we just enjoyed riding around on the vaporetti enjoying the sights. There is a shop in Venice in San Marco Sestiere, Calle dei Fuseri 4340 Venice "Atmosfera Veneziana" that can be trusted for real Murano glass. We bought some jewellry there for ourselves as well as for small gifts. Great couple that own it too. I hope that JustTravel comes on and confirms this recommendation as I found out about it from her. . Have a great RS tour, we sure loved our Best of Italy trip. Buon Viaggio, Sherry
Posted by
Australia
33 posts
Hi , i think it is worth a visit definitely but i would do a bit of research into which glass maker studio you visited. You do pay to watch them make the glass items and they smashed one a bit close to the front row people at the studio we visited. Their gallery which you can only see if you pay for the show was amazing. Huge glass statues, bowls, mirrors etc Sorry i can't remember the name of it.
Murano itself is lovely to wander around and have a delicious lunch at one of the many eateries there.
We loved Burano much more as the colourful houses, cloths they hang up over their doorways and the flowers boxes make it very charming. We sadly didn't see the lacemakers but i bought a lovely lace bookmark for myself from a tiny shop there. They would make lovely souvenirs.
The whole experience of travelling by boat over the lagoon was amazing. Make sure you are near a window to take it all in. And take plenty of photos of course.
We wandered the streets of Venice away from San Marco Square and found quiet squares and old churches and every bridge leads you to more beauty. Gelatos are a must to eat as you wander. Enjoy. I waited many years to visit Venice and i adored it!
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Murano is a nice side visit but quite secondary to Venice. Be aware that re murano glass there are many copies out in venice . They are prob made in china. I was in venice last yr and was surprised to see how many stores sell similiar so called murano glass items incl jewelry now. Previous trips did not have so many shops, carts and souvenir displays. I heard that it was becuz 5 cruise ships a day come into port and spread 1000's of tourists on to the alleys and canal of venice.
Maybe your tour guide or hotel conceirge can direct u to the more authentic shops, well worth seeking out. The mayor of venice to brought all this cheap commericialization has been ousted so i hope it has improved.
Posted by
California
492 posts
"There is a shop in Venice in San Marco Sestiere, Calle dei Fuseri 4340 Venice "Atmosfera Veneziana" that can be trusted for real Murano glass. We bought some jewellry there for ourselves as well as for small gifts. Great couple that own it too. I hope that JustTravel comes on and confirms this recommendation as I found out about it from her."
I still highly recommend Atmosfera Veneziana, Sherry. We'll be in Venice again next month and will definitely visit the shop.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
You can buy authentic Murano glass on Burano as well. Many artisan shops on Burano, I like it much more than Murano..
Posted by
Campbell River, Canada
361 posts
Hi again,
Thanks JustTravel for re-confirming the shop near San Marco. The big question in the OP's post is "Sunday" and we found almost everywhere on Murano they were closed. Just a few touristy shops open.Have you investigated the island of Torcello yet chinalake67? Best, Sherry
Posted by
California
492 posts
Most of the smaller shops owned by the locals are closed on Sunday. They need their rest, as well family time and Sunday-closing is deep seated. The shops that are open are mostly owned by "foreigners".
Posted by
Atlanta
4896 posts
Several thoughts come to mind. We've never really experienced pushy vendors on either island. On Sunday most of the shops on Murano and Burano will be closed. However, they are still worth a visit -- even without so many tourist. Murano is sort of a mini Venice that can be easily walked and enjoyed. Burano is very pretty with the colored houses. Just delightful. You might also consider Torcello and Murano since Burano is on the tour. Plan on spending the better part of the day to do any two of the islands. But all three can be done in a day.