Murano Shopping

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After the demonstration, they took us to an area where the very very expensive glass was on display. These were the signed pieces by the Masters. We were not allowed to take any pictures here.

What to buy: Probably the signed pieces by the masters are too expensive. Some of the work down by the apprentices should be just as good and way cheaper.

I don't like this glass as much (I think it is sort of gaudy) as the crystal that they make at Waterford in Ireland.

What to pay: The least expensive fish signed by the master was €595 (including shipping and insurance), but a rearing horse that I got for my daughter by an apprentice was €55 (photo 4)

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I wanted to get something for my mom and dad. I already had bought something for my sister while we were in Barcelona.

What to buy: My grandmother said she would go in with me and the gift would be for my parents birthdays, Christmas and anniversary for this year from both of us. They wouldn't let us take any photos in the shop where the master's glass was displayed, so I only have the ones that I took after it got to our house and they aren't that good because we are keeping it in the china cabinet for fear that if we put it in the window, it might fall and break.

Photo 4 is of a chandelier and photo 5 was a photo I took without giving the camera time to focus in the showroom where we weren't supposed to take pictures.

What to pay: My grandmother asked them what they had in the shape of a fish for under €500 because my dad is a big fisherman. (My mom doesn't eat fish, but she doesn't mine fish sculpture) The best they were able to do was €650

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Murano is very well known around the world for its famous glass, there you´ll find tha present that you´re looking for, you can choose between a set of 6 glass or a simple hanging. There are lots of shops in the gran canale and in the small ones around it.

Murano es mundialmente conocida por su famoso cristal, allí encontrarás el regalo que vayas buscando, hay donde elegir desde un juego de vasos hasta el mas sencillo colgante. Hay muchas tiendas donde elegir entre el gran canal y los pequeños canales de los alrededores.

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Upon arriving in Venice I was approached by a man who claimed to be from the Italian Board of Tourism and he told me he was offering free boat taxi rides to Murano to boost the glass industry. He told me the boat would bring me right to the factory where we could watch people make glass then we could visit the store and see if there was anything we'd like to buy. Even though I was a bit skeptical we decided to take the man's offer and take the ride to Murano, which brought us to Vetreria Ducale. We watched a man making glass, which was explained by a staff person as it was being done. Afterward the staff person, Mirco, brought us upstairs to the gallery. He was a gifted salesperson and a very nice man (so rare to find both those qualities in the same person). Ducale feels more like a museum than a store, the glass pieces are truly works of art and ther was something for everyone. My wife picked out a piece that was blue and green, our favorite colors, and a small vase for her mother (we picked the vase first, but when we showed interest in the other piece we were given the vase for free and only paid for the other piece). We had both items engraved and shipped back to America (turned out to be just over $200 in customs charges once it reached La Guardia in NYC). Mirco made the shopping process easy, and fun and made us feel like royalty throughout the entire process.

What to buy: You're on Murano for one reason, and there's only one reason to be on Murano...to buy Murano glass. Ducale has a very large selection of glass items, decorative, functional and exotic.

What to pay: Although there are lesser priced glass pieces downstairs, upstairs at Ducale expect to spend anywhere between 300-several thousand Euros for a piece. Bartering is welcome and expected (although I'm lousy at it and didn't even try).

If coming to Murano, you'll encounter and be tempted to by some sort of glass product. You may even be coming here for that sole purpose. They make everything out of glass, I won't try to list what you'll find, but it is extensive.

I have heard that some of the stores have products that are knock-offs made elsewhere so watch out. I don't know how the average person can tell if they are from Murano or not, they've got "made in Murano" stickers but you can put that on anything. Some cheap items may be obvious.

My advice would be to check many shops before you make a purchase, and talk to the shop owners. That is probably the best way to get a feel for the product and Reputability.

*Note the prices shown are generally if you are paying with a Credit Card, show cash and they'll probably drop 10% off the bill.

What to buy: well, glass stuff

Even on the small islabnd of Murano there is a big co-op food store on two levels. Everything the locals needed was here - no need to cross to Venice for the groceries.
It was handily placed near our hotel too - not far from the Museo waterbus stop.

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The choice of glass craft objects is simply amazing. There are animals, plants, toys and gifts ranging from a few Euro to many thousands.

What to pay: Whatever you can afford

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