I like murano glass - but not the overly-decoratedones you see in most shops. I like the simple, elegant type exemplified by Venini.

Does anyone know of glass galleries in Venice so I don't have to make a trip to Murano? I even like some of the simple Fratelli Toso vases.

Venini have a showroom in Venice itself - right beside the Basilica in San Marco. They don't have the entire range, but it's pretty comprehensive. Other showrroms to try for more modern elegant glass are Genninger, right on the Grand Canal at Ca'Rezzonico vaporetto stop and one who's name I can't remember on calle larga xx11 Marco - it's on the right walking away from the piazza (I think just before a canal)

The Murano side trip is worth the trip, not to the show rooms but to the quiet, charming island which is so laid back compared to the tourist frenzy of Venice itself. I would recommend going just as a respite to the city.

Is the price in Venice for Venini glass comparable to that in the U.S.? Just don't know if it is worth the trouble of buying and carrying back all the way from Venice when I can buy it at more or less the same price in the US.

I'm from Australia so i have no idea about the comparable price for venetian glass is the US/Italy. However I'm sure that Venice will have a larger range. I see from your other post that you're looking for a 'special' piece. In that case I would reccomend a trip to the studios on Murano (particularly Venini). They have far more of the really wonderful elegant & modern glass there than in Venice itself.