Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
it comes to items sold in their shops, with a focus on local tradition. However, these options
rank far behind the opportunity to observe and interact with local artists. Venice is a year-
round extravaganza of richness and culture. Why not avail yourself of the opportunity?
Now, where should you
not
buy? As a general rule, avoid the tourist-oriented retailers
that lie along major pedestrian thoroughfares of the city, especially the Rialto Bridge and
the main alleys snaking away from the Piazza San Marco, as well as those that lie on the
main streets linking San Marco and Rialto. Avoid buying from street stalls or trinket shops
surrounding the major sites of the city that draw tourists: the Basilica of San Marco, the Ac-
cademia, the Guggenheim, the train station, and similarly crowded venues. In these areas
you are nearly guaranteed to overpay for a lower-quality item that may or may not have
been made in Venice.
When it comes to buying direct, get as specific as possible! In other words, don't buy
Murano glass in the Piazza San Marco. You've already come this far; jump on a boat and
head to the famous glass island to see how it's made and meet some glassmakers face to
face.
4. How much should I pay?
How much to pay depends on many individual factors. An authentic Venetian gondola may
set you back tens of thousands of Euros, but few of us are likely to bring home one of those.
After gondolas, Murano glass tends to command the highest prices of all the Venetian tra-
ditions, especially those pieces signed by famous designers. Handmade Venetian lace can
also be pricey because of the staggering number of hours that must go into crafting each
little piece. Some of the greatest values can be found in the category of handmade carnival
masks, paper, and bookbinding. The following chapters outline specific guidelines that will
help guide what you should look for and how much you should expect to pay.
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