We will be in Venice for 1-1/2 days and would like to buy some Murano beads as souveniers for my sisters. Are there stores in Venice or would we have to travel to Burano to the glass factory to get them? I know they are also famous for their lace and leather so any suggestions for these would also be great.
Also if you have any suggestions on good places to eat lunch and supper that would be great!
I recommend going to Murano to do your shopping. You are guaranteed to get products actually made there. Many of the shops in Venice proper carry beads and jewelry not necessarily made by the Muranese. Burano is the lace island. Murano is for glass and it is only a 20-minute vaporetto ride from Fondamenta Nova.
Where to eat in Venice has been discussed a lot lately. Here are a couple of the links from the past few months.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/eating-in-venice-i-need-some-ideas
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/sorrento-rome-florence-venice-where-to-eat
One of Rick's guides Sarah (who is amazing if you get one her tour groups) posted about a shop in Venezia on her blog recently about Rialto 79.
http://adventureswithsarah.net/souvenirs-seeking-a-better-shoppertunity/
Thank you for the info on beads. I will definitely check out Rialto 79 as we may not have time to take the vaporetto over to Murano... (but you never know...)
If you buy your glass from a seller not on Murano either look for clear Murano labelling - and usually a fairly upmarket store (and fairly upmarket prices) - or expect to get souvenirs made in China, even of they have some sort of Venice or Italy label on.
If it sounds inexpensive it is probably cheap. That may not bother you, but you should understand what you are getting.
So does this Rialto 79 store sell real Murano beads or the stuff from China? How do I know it's authentic or not?
Did you see the label in the photo in the blog? Did you see where they get their glass in the official page linked in the blog?
That's authentic.
Look at that and then look at the souvenir places. It will become evident.
Rialto 79 sells actual jewelry made with silver.
Thanks Nigel, it was hard to see the label in the photo, but I went to their website and it does look like they use actual Murano beads in their jewelry right? The prices don't seem to be too high according to the shopping blog it was on. Thanks for the info, I will check them out.
