Murano Venetian Glass Center

After checking in at the Hilton Molino Stucky, we asked about going to Murano Island to see some Venetian Glass. The Front Desk person offered to arrange a free water taxi ride to Signoretti for a Tour. Gayle, Erin, Jim, and I knew that this would turn out to be the Venice version of the Turkish Rug demonstration we received several days ago near Ephesus, but what the heck!
The glass-​blowing demonstration was informative, friendly, and after we were led into the various display rooms, I thought that the sales pitch was low key and professional. Their pieces were gorgeous and even after the «20% Off Book» discount and door-​to-​door delivery, the prices were still dear. The bigger issue was that I couldn’t image a place for any of these pieces at home, and hence there was no emotional connection to lead me to spend more than I should.
There was a humorous moment at the end and after we informed our Signoretti host that we would look around the Island some more and take a public boat back to Venice. His colleague joined the conversation and told us that there really wasn’t anything else to see glass-​wise on Murano! But he reluctantly let us go and pointed to what looked like the only land-​side exit to the compound. And rest assured that there’s more than enough drop dead gorgeous glass in these parts.

On July 5, 2013, My Friend Lisa Wernick and I were visiting Venice. It was suggested to us by our hotel Bonnevichi, to visit the Murano Glass Factory. The island is onto itself and you have to take a ferry to get there. I had seen a lot of Murano glass in Venice at various shops but decided to wait to see if the prices were better, and compare the quality. We took the short ferry ride over and then were given a tour by Alex. He was a wonderful guide. He did not pressure us to buy. The experience itself was fantastic and the pieces were amazing. We even got a chance to meet the artist who did our pieces. We purchased two pieces, I purchased an octopus and Lisa purchased a Picasso style glass head. We were told our pieces would be shipped to us, insured and that the shipping would be covered.
HERE IS WHERE EVERYTHING GOES WRONG.
Both Lisa and I got our pieces a few weeks later. Both pieces were chipped. We tried contacting the glass factory (and I had their personal card and number) several times and received no answer. The signed pieces are worthless if damaged and we each paid alot of money for them.
In addition, just two days ago I received a bill from DHL for the shipping!!! Lisa received one as well. So now it adds insult to injury. Not only do we both have chipped pieces, we both are being asked to pay for the shipping (which was not part of the agreement). We are still trying to get in touch with the factory to rectify this situation. IN addition, they did not put in the certificate of authenticity that they promised.
In hindsight, I would have done two things different:
Only brought back a small enough piece I could carry in my luggage. And two, if I was having it shipped, taken a picture of it with a dated item next to it, to show that it wasn’t chipped.
I will keep you updated on the status.
Fran

What a wonderful place. This was our last stop on our tour of Venezia. Our group was lead to a warm room where the funny guide spoke about the history, the skill being passed down, and of course how we can purchase some these amazing pieces in the not-​so-​warm, no picture taking kind of room. A skilled tradesman made a vase and a horse right before our eyes in not time at all. It was pretty amazing to see. My video of the horse making is on YouTube.
After the live creation, we were lead to the room where you shouldn’t touch anything unless you want to pay $ 300US for a small vase (for example). I was tempted. Items that are red cost the most, FYI. There are many colorful pieces and you can also customize your order. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, larger pieces in the showroom made your jaw drop, stemware you should insure call out your name saying «take me home (insert name here)!» And the jewelry! Oh, the jewelry!
Definitely a great place to visit and if you want a Murano, buy a Murano. There are plenty of knockoffs. And if your cruise stops in Kusadasi, Turkey like ours did, you’ll find the best fakes of everything there.

Treated like royalty is never a bad thing and this is what you can expect while touring this glass factory. We were greeted at the dock with champagne and escorted into the showroom while they provided us with more champagne! The sticker price is softened after having a couple drinks but you can expect to pay top dollar here. One must know that most of the glass that you buy in the square is sent off to China to be painted and then shipped back. There for the color is not baked into the glass like at the factory in Murano and this means the color does come off with handling and washing. So yes, you will pay more at the factory but it is well with it to have glass that will last a lifetime.

Talk about a hard sell. You will feel the pressure to buy from the minute you leave the glass blowing demonstration…
My girlfriend and I celebrated our first international trip together and wanted to buy a piece that we would never forget. We decided to go to the SIGNORETTI Murano Venetian Glass Center to see something different other than the blown glass that is in the town. After the usual glass blowing demonstration it was on to the various floors looking over a lot of glass. We did end up choosing 2 pieces for the inlaws and 4 pieces of jewelry that we picked up from the gift shop which is where id STRONGLY RECO you buy your glass unless you want to spend an arm and a leg (plus tax plus shipping. Our total shopping experience came to 3k euro which was supposed to include the freight. They had also said they would convert the lamp plug so we could use it in the US.
After our purchases they stated they would get us a water taxi back to where we were picked up-​WRONG. They dropped us off about a mile away from our hotel and we hoofed it back. They will do anything to get you there and pay for your water taxi to do it but once you leave and they have your euro’s BAM it all changes.
Later, we received the pieces, 8 weeks later, the lamp didn’t work. They put the new plug on but the socket isn’t adaptable to the bulbs were get in the US. So we took it to a lamp shop ($ 30 later) to be repaired so we could enjoy. Contacted Signoretti to state the problem we encountered and they could have cared less. And just this last week I received the FedEx invoice for the freight. $ 69.12. Apparently be cautious because they stated ‘freight included’ means from Venice to the states and after that it’s shipped via FedEx ground.
If you have a thing for glass or want to buy unique gifts then this is your place… otherwise you arent missing much.

The best thing about this place is the free water taxi ride. Take the ride, which can otherwise be quite pricey, browse a few minutes and then go have lunch at a nice outdoor café like Busa Alla Torre Da Lele. I got the impression after seeing the ‘glassblowing demonstration’ that most of the glass is not even made here and probably not even in Italy. (Carlo Moretti was the only legitimate glass company I visited, and they are generally by appointment only to the design trade. They have a great showroom in the center of Venice which you can search for on Unilocal or google)

While walking around in Venice near one of the boat docks, more then a few guys were holding out flyers trying to talk tourists into going over to Murano Island. If you’ve not heard, Italian Murano glass is very unique and highly desirable.
We started listening to one guy and his «free boat ride» sales pitch. We talk amongst ourselves and agree to go. It was pretty cool to be riding through the canals in Venice and in a beautiful boat to boot!

We arrive at Murano island and are escorted to one of the many glass factories. This gentleman starts the demonstration and in not more then maybe 6 minutes, creates this little glass horse.
After the glass blowing demo we were escorted to that companies gallery /​store where we were «expected» to buy. I have to admit there was A LOT of very beautiful glass there, but it was also VERY expensive! Of our little group of 5, two did buy a few small things.
So overall going to Murano Island while you are in Venice is worth it, however BE WARNED… the prices on the island are VERY high! You can buy Murano glass in other stores in Venice or other parts of Italy for A LOT LESS money!