Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
farther north you walk toward the museum and the Basilica of Santi Maria e Donato, the
more the prices fall.
BUYER BEWARE
Chances are a persistent hawker hanging around San Marco will offer you a
boat trip and an “exclusive” glass factory tour on Murano. The truth is that it
only costs a small fee to take the ferry to the island yourself, and once there,
you will be free to visit any glassmakers you want on your own. Best of all,
you'll avoid the high-pressure sales tactics and be able to enjoy the highlights
of this quiet, beautiful, and special island free of distraction.
The range of quality and price on Murano is staggering. Be prepared to see everything
from silly figurines of Donald Duck to drop-dead gorgeous tableware with so many zeros
on the price tag that it will make your head spin. In order to make sense of it all, the won-
derful glass museum should be the first stop on your trip to Murano. You may be inclined
or encouraged to head straight to the glass factories, but insist on visiting the museum first.
There you will have the chance to train your eye.
The glass museum contains works of Murano glass from ancient times to the present,
including an incredible glass centerpiece made for what must have been an enormous din-
ing table in the Palazzo Morosini in the 1700s. The intricate ensemble resembles a garden
complete with glass shrubs, vases, and fountains. After viewing this impressive collection
of glass from the Roman era to the present, it's hard to imagine that today's glass artists
could come up with anything new. However, styles evolve, and rest assured that you'll
emerge from the museum with plenty left to see in the shops.
In addition to the glass museum, a tour of one or more of the glass factories is the main
attraction on Murano. Even if you don't buy there, it's worth the trip to see the impressive
glass-blowing demonstrations. You can catch a factory tour just by showing up during open
hours (most remain open during the sacred Italian lunch hour). Don't feel obliged to buy
as the crowd funnels into the factory shop. There is much to see on Murano and you'll find
many more buying opportunities.
Some glassmakers are set up to pack and ship your treasures home and can usually ship
anywhere in the world. Many of them have special packing materials and containers de-
signed for protecting glassware. Still, shipping delicate pieces home can prove both costly
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