Day 34 (Tuesday 10Dec19) exploring Murano

A fabulous feast of a European  breakfast was delivered to the apartment this morning. Certainly very filling and generous. We learnt the hotel’s kitchen and dining area (floor 2) was out of operation due to water damage to it’s  electrics on floor 0 (ground). So this morning, our breakfast was prepared in the owners apartment on floor 4 and brought down to us. The staff are always friendly and generous with their time with guests. 

After breakfast, the staff helped us with directions to catch the water bus to Murano. 

We were lucky today, clear blue skies and temperature so warm you almost didn’t need a jacket. Tomorrow is predicted to be more of the same. 

Of course we explored along the way to water bus.

As instructed by the staff, we arrived quickly to the water bus and was in no time arriving at the island of Murano. 

Murano hadn’t changed much, and we quickly found glass factory that we visited 11 years ago.

 It too hadn’t changed too much over the passing decade. The factory, on learning of our previous purchases, took us on another tour of the “special” backroom. They even found a similar to the plate we bought 11 years ago for bargain price of just 600€ (just for us). Obviously he claimed it’s ticket price was twice that, (which Cos confirmed with a sneaky look) but would sell it lower because we already had one the master glasssmiths’ earlier master pieces and he wanted to clear stock. Hmm, tempted but chose to retreat and think on it over, over lunch.

A quick retreat saw heading down one the islands’ canals lined with shops selling glass. All beautiful. The bit triva we learnt today from visiting shops and factories was 70% of Murano glass isn’t Murano. It is made often elsewhere ranging as far away as China. Can you tell? Not really unless the item has a makers mark and comes with valuation papers. (Our piece from 11 years ago had both - lucky us. )  We found out there is about 20 or so authentic Murano factories on Murano. Given the sheer volume of glass being sold on Murano and in Venice it fits that 70% is fake ( but often still nicely made). Also it seems that the glass trade is suffering from a lack of master glasssmiths which makes sense when you see how tough and time consuming glass blowing is.

After a pleasant lunch seated next a canal we visited a few more glass establishments and s grand church before returning to the original factory and storefront. 

We decided not to purchase a similar piece to our piece but instead buy a collection of small pieces. The salesman tried hard but failed to sell us the 600€ piece. It was beautiful, but we have a better one by salesman’s own admission. We preferred something less grand. We were very happy with our purchases. 

After Murano we returned to apartment to drop off our purchases. One of the delightful staff let into our old apartment from 11 years ago for a nostalgic look. 

After Murano we explored near Railto bridge area till nightfall, then found some light supper before returning to our apartment to collapse. We got see the police chase a dodgy flower seller, who was very “fast of foot”. Along the way, we enjoyed some mulled wine which we enjoyed very much.

A very enjoyable day!

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