Murano : Boat Tour, Glassworks and Blow moulding Demonstration

We booked the private tour to avoid a crowded group but it felt more like a private sales experience. When we arrived on the island we were assigned an individual sales person to walk around and show us the place. The glass blowing demo is quick then you spend a majority of your time in the showroom looking at >$1000 pieces or glass masterpieces that we thought were interesting but would never buy.

First of all, our driver for the boat to Murano was on his phone the entire time not even really watching where we were riding. glass pieces that we saw were beautiful but way out of a normal person‘s price range. There were some pieces that were €175,000. And then to it all the trip only lasted an hour and a half and it was supposed to be three hours. Nikola at the glass blowing was really knowledgeable and very helpful so that made that part of the trip a good experience.

Our 3 hour tour for which I paid extra to have prosecco on the boat ride lasted one hour ( including boat ride) and there was no prosecco. We were ripped off. We were shown the glass blowing but once it became apparent that we were not going to buy anything, our guide (Julia) said that we could either catch the boat back immediately or wander around on our own and then pay extra to catch the public transport back to St Marks Square. Total rip off. Don't waste your money on this one.

It was advertised as a 3-hour tour but only lasted less than 1hour. The glassblowing demonstration was about 10 minutes , then we visited the showrooms to purchase glass. No time to see the town or learn any details of the craft.

A fascinating exploration of local landscapes and crafts, led by a good-natured and personable tour guide. The only downside would be the amount of time spent waiting in stifling heat for our boat to leave the harbor, as it rocked back and forth with an intensity I hadn't experienced before. This, combined with limited airflow, made the pre-departure waiting experience rather unpleasant. Good time management, with sensible balance between guided exploration and time for personal curiosity.

We missed our scheduled tour due to not being able to find the pick up location. I called the company and they arranged to come get us at our hotel and we had a boat bring us to Murano and we able to complete the tour. They went above and beyond to help us and us complete the tour the same day.

Quite underwhelming. We were 3 minutes late because of crowds and lines and they told us we’d have to come back at another time. The water taxi ride was nice. They dropped us at the glass factory. We sat and watched the glass makers for about 10 minutes then they led us to the gallery where the tour guide left us to wander and never came back. When we went to find him he never really told us that was all of “the tour”. When we just stood there waiting for some direction we had to ask what else we were doing and they just sent us out to see the town and told us they would call the boat to take us back when we got back to the glass showroom. Murano was mostly tourist shops and a few restaurants. Could have taken a water taxi over ourselves and gone to a live glass demonstration on our own.

One of our trip highlights. A private water taxi and guide from Venice to Murano island. Tour round the working glass studio and gallery. Then a walk around Murano before sailing back to Venice.

Glassblowing demo was great. Huge shop where you can buy the Murano glass pieces. The items for sale are very expensive but you can bargain with your tour guide.

Great trip. Our guide CLAUDIA ZENNARO was fantastic. The Murano glass factory tour was short but sweet. The Island of Burano was beautiful with lots of shops to buy much cheaper Murano glass souvenirs than at the factory. Lovely bakery and cafe next door with really good pizza, coffee and tirimisu.