My sister and I, along with our husbands, had already decided that on this trip to Venice, we were each going to "splurge" and buy a lovely piece of Murano glass as a souvenir. Therefore, when a vendor approached us at the pier near the San Marco vaporreto stop, we said "yes" we would like to accept his offer of a free ride to Murano to view the Gritti Glass Blowing Operation.
We were escorted to a private motorboat and given an engaging ride through narrow canals that we could not have enjoyed on one of the larger "public" boats. On arrival at Murano, our personal guide met and escorted us into the glass blowing shop.
In the year 1291, because of the threat of fires in Venice, all glass factories were moved to this nearby island and now the name Murano has become synonymous with glass blowing. Today, artisans and craftsmen display their imagination and creativity in blown, etched, ornamented and filigreed glass creations produced with centuries-old basic tools.
We were given a personal demonstration of how the glass is colored, melted, heated, blown and shaped and we were welcome to take pictures of the glass making processes. The craftsmen proudly showed us a current project they were working on -- a fabulous set of glasses on order to the Vatican. (You don‘t EVEN want to hear the price!)
Then we were escorted to the gallery told that we would not be allowed to take photos inside the gallery. Seems they have problems with people taking photos and "cheap imitations" being reproduced by unscrupulous vendors around the world.
Glass ladies in pink dresses, ruby red bowls, crystal and gold vases, chandeliers with magnificent blue globes -- SO BEAUTIFULLY -- displayed everywhere! We were allowed to wander through the galleries and then met our guide in a sales room where we were offered coffees, tea, cappuccino or whatever else we might choose.
Since we live in Napa Valley and enjoy our wine, my husband and I selected a classic wine decanter etched with grapes. My sister and her husband chose 2 delicate pink ballerina figurines. We told our guide that we would be in Italy for 3 more weeks and would like our purchases to arrive after our return home.
Sure enough!! The day after we returned home, a package arrived. Securely wrapped to ensure safe arrival, it was our lovely hand blown decanter, signed and dated by the artist. A hand engraved certificate of authenticity was also included.
Just for information: We saw items displayed in many price ranges. Our decanter was about $375 US dollars and my sisters’ figurines were about $350. The price included shipping, US customs costs, taxes and insurance. Truly lovely remembrances and items we will forever enjoy and treasure.