Murano tour?

it depends on how much time you have got in Venice. If you are there for more than just a day trip (which you really should) then it's a nice place to visit, you could also include Burano and Torcello on the same day trip. Muano and Burano especially is a lot more quite than Venice proper, so you can escape some of the hordes of day trippers.

And if you decide to go to Murano - just hop on the vaporetto and go. No need for a "tour". There are plenty of glass shops just like in Venice. And plenty of restaurants and some hotels.

If you mean a tour of the glass factories on Murano, be aware that it ends with a visit to the showroom where you will have an opportunity to buy glass objects.

Thanks so much for your replies!

If you make any purchases, please be aware that there is plenty of glass on the island of Murano that was made in China. To identify an authentic piece look for a sticker with the trademark, the website below will show you what to look for. If it was made in China it will most likely be significantly cheaper as well.

http://www.muranoglass.com/en/#.VxZM2Wz2aUk

Zoe, I will go to what is only called a glass blowing demonstration. Are you saying that is part of a factory tour?

During our 5 days in Venice we spent 1 day going on our own to Murano and Burano. On Murano we toured the Museum. We learned lots about glass blowing, saw many centuries worth of glass art, and nobody even hinted that we buy anything. We didn't see any glass blowing demos, but we've seen lots of those at home. Was it the peak highlight of our 5 Venice days? No, but we're glad we did it.

We enjoyed the Glass Museum as well on Murano. We popped into two glass blowing demos - one we just wandered into and watched a man make a glass horse. He had a can set up for donations/tips. The other, I think we were beckoned in (this was 2010) and they let us watch them making some - I believe it was glass pieces for a chandelier...then they take you to the showroom - where everything is crazy $$$$ (like, 500 euro and up). There was also a gift shop...we picked up a glass picture frame for about 25-30 euro - then saw almost the exact same thing in a shop in Venice proper for 10 euro less. So, if you can stumble into one, I'd say go for it. If you don't like feeling pressured to buy something, don't go into one where someone gets you off the street.

I think (but am not sure) that a lot of the glassblowing only goes on til about noon - may be depending on the time of year and how hot it gets. You could probably check into that, or someone may know for sure...and BTW - Burano is absolutely lovely as well - if you like taking photos, the super-colourful houses are amazing.