Murano is renowned as a center for blown glass so this place is worth a visit. Yes, you should avoid the chintzy shops and the pushy people looking to sell you “special tours” of the area, but if you avoid them you can see some interesting sites, enjoy the glass museum, and perhaps find some nicely crafted glassware.

It’s also a nice boat ride north of the main group of islands, as having a large concentration of furnaces was seen as a poor idea for the main group. In addition, highly skilled artisans were not allowed to leave the island so they would not be able to take their secrets elsewhere.

1. Glassware is delicate and light, not hulking aand heavy
2. Like other parts of Venice, Murano is an island with no cars