Original Murano Glass OMG Factory & Showroom (by appointment only) — Attraction in Venice

READ REVIEW BEFORE GOING! The demonstration was pretty cool, very skillful indeed, it was about 5 minutes which was fine as it was pretty neat.

After the demonstration we went upstairs to the showroom, the woman working was nice enough and she showed us and told us about the different jewelry. We asked about the discount that we received by booking online and she told us that it would be applied once we reach $90 or above and it would be for the value of the tickets we bought so $10 off as we went in a group of 2. We looked around the showroom for about 45 minutes, looking at all the cool art, and looking at the jewelry, we decided to think about it and take a break and come back later.

We came back a couple hours later at about 1:40pm and the lady that was working in the showroom said it was closed as she was having her break, we asked when it would reopen and she told us to ask what I assumed was her boss and he told her to open the showroom back up, we told her we could come back later but she said it was fine, she was quite angry in her tone at this point which is fair enough as her boss just canceled her break and told her to reopen the showroom. We began looking at the jewelry that we had been looking at earlier when she asked what are you doing here? Are you here to shop or just look around again. We told her we wanted to look around and buy a few things, then she took one of the trays of wrist bracelets I had been looking at up to the counter and when it returned the price had gone up by nearly $15 each ,I asked her about this and she claimed the price was wrong and that this was a new collection, even though they were the same as the ones before. We picked out a few items and realized we were about $12 away from the $90 threshold to get our discount so we picked out another item when we got up to the counter at first she said it would be $83 euros, but then she said it would be $90 as she claimed the $10 euro discount would only be applied if we spent $100 euros or more. We ended up putting something back and went on our way.

I WOULD SAY STAY CLEAR OF THE SHOWROOM THIS PLACE SEEMS TO JUST DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE, FALSE PROMISES AND STRAIGHT UP LIES, GO FOR THE TOUR...

Had a great visit. Some in our group signed up for the glass blowing workshop. They did a good job communicating and verifying details via Whatsapp and email. On the day, we were welcomed warmly. Started with a demo by one of the masters, and then one at a time, they proceeded to guide us through on how to make a sculpture and a vase/cup. Finished with a visit to the showroom. Overall, the visit itself was wonderful, and we ended up purchasing some items from the showroom, to be shipped back to us in the USA. Unfortunately, from then on, things didn't quite go as planned. We were initially concerned about the effects of the tariffs and import costs, but were assured numerous times that the tariffs would not include art, and if we spent above a certain substantial dollar amount, the items would be "shipped free". Also, to sweeten the deal, he promised throwing in additional items for free, including an extra display base that they were initially going to sell for 100 Euros, and so we decided to go for it. Weeks later, we received word from DHL that we owed $150 for "import duties", and unless we paid within a few days, our items would be sent back. We reached out to OMG, to be told that this isn't their issue and that they're "local costs" beyond their control. So, we had to poney up the fees. When we unpacked, the items we bought we intact, minus the display base we were promised. Two emails and over a week later, we still have not gotten any response from OMG. So, our experiences have been mixed, needless to say. Overall, I would recommend the tour and the experience. However, I would caution potential USA buyers, that in their haste to sell products and reassure potential buyers that "shipping is free, and there is no tariffs imposed on art", the OMG salespeople may not be providing an accurate picture of what may actually be involved, so be prepared to pay for additional costs despite the free shipping reassurances. And, whether it was malicious or simply an oversight, we felt it was unprofessional, and dishonest, to promise something but not include it, and then not respond to...

Murano is famous worldwide for its refined glassmaking tradition, and visiting a glass factory on the island gives a glimpse into this centuries-old art. The craftsmanship is impressive, during the short demonstration at this showroom, you can see two techniques: first, the creation of a vase using glassblowing, then the sculpting of a glass horse in just a few seconds. The master glassmaker's skill is undeniable. That said, the experience is very short – it lasts about 10 minutes in total and despite the charm, the €5 entrance fee feels a bit excessive for what you get, unless you're under 16, and so you are visiting for free. The space is small but nice, and the demonstration is accompanied by explanations in both Italian and English, provided by a friendly young guide. To reach the showroom, you take the vaporetto from Fondamenta Nove in Venice. It costs €10, takes about 5 minutes, and makes one stop at the cemetery before arriving at Murano Colonna, the closest stop to both the showroom and the Glass Museum. From there, it's a bit of a walk to reach the showroom, which is located in a quieter, slightly isolated part of the island. The surroundings are peaceful and pleasant. Murano itself, outside of these workshops and small shops selling glass items, feels quite empty and lacks the vibrant atmosphere of Venice. Visits to the showroom are scheduled every 30 minutes until 4 PM. You can book in advance, but if there aren’t many visitors, it’s usually not necessary. A clean and free restroom is available at the entrance...