From September 23 to October 2, 2025, the GAS Travels program embarked on an unforgettable 7-day/9-night journey through the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. Fifteen GAS members traveled from across the USA, London, and Istanbul, to celebrate the enduring legacy of Italian glassmaking while forging new friendships and new connections across generations.
Our GAS Travels adventure began in Venice, where shimmering canals, iconic architecture, and centuries-old glass traditions set the stage for inspiration. Despite a rainy Wednesday, participants navigated the city’s waterways and winding streets, tracking thousands of steps on a guided walking tour and spontaneous wanderings.
The tour opened with a stunning visit to Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua, a renowned Venetian weaving workshop preserving centuries-old textile artistry. We continued to explore a rich tapestry of craft and design over the next two days, visiting a generations-run glass studio now led by two daughters, and a woodmaking studio that delighted us in its high craftsmanship, Italian excellence, and exquisite workmanship. At the Fortuny Museum and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, we immersed ourselves in the extraordinary vision and legacy of these iconic creators and collectors. At the Caterina Tognon Gallery, the group experienced an exhibition by Australian glass artist Jessica Loughlin. It is noteworthy that earlier this year, our GAS Travels: Australia travel group visited Jessica at work in her home studio, an inspiring example of the lasting global connections fostered by GAS Travels.
A day trip to the Prosecco Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Treviso, immersed our group in rolling vineyards and centuries-old family wineries, complemented by spectacular regional cuisine. A few extra cases of prosecco were even procured—ready to be uncorked when many of our tour group members reunite in Corning, NY, for the 2026 GAS Annual Conference!
Our tour then moved to the legendary island of Murano, where private tours of historic glass furnaces revealed techniques refined over hundreds of years. Murano was spectacular in more ways than one. Contemporary studios showcased innovation and design, while curated museum visits, including the Murano Glass Museum and Fondazione Berengo Art Space, highlighted the dialogue between tradition and modern glassmaking. Behind-the-scenes access to furnaces, flameworking, and coldworking workshops provided intimate encounters with glass legends, including Maestro Lino Tagliapietra. We met with glass artists Cesare Toffolo, Davide Fuin, Amy West, Davide Salvadore and his sons Marco and Mattia, Lucio Bubacco, Alessandro Boscolo, Pietro and Riccardo Ferro, Adriano Berengo, and Simone Cenedese in collaboration with Dylan Katz. A special factory tour of Effetre Murano, the island’s only semi-finished glass manufacturer, showcased their unparalleled variety of colors, celebrated worldwide.
Murano also served as a base for spectacular day trips to Burano, famous for its brightly painted houses and lacemaking traditions, and Ravenna, a treasure trove of 1,500-year-old Byzantine mosaics, offering a juxtaposition of glassmaking across the ages.
Beyond glass, the group immersed themselves in Italy’s rich culture—wandering historic streets, riding water taxis and vaperettos, savoring regional cuisine, relaxing in two beautiful hotels, and sharing meaningful conversations over unforgettable meals. GAS Travels offers more than just glass visits—it fosters community, inspiration, and global connection. Participants returned home with new friendships, fresh ideas, a deeper appreciation for the international glass community—and, of course, some beautiful Murano glass.
Thank You to the Following:
Our trip to Italy would not have been possible without the support and participation of artists, studios, and world-class institutions who provided an international glass-lovers’ itinerary of visits, guided tours, up-close cultural encounters, and so much more. We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all our dear friends in Venice who made our tour a success:
Massimo Micheluzzi Glass Studio – @massimomicheluzzi
Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua – @tessiturebevilacqua
Fortuny Museum – @palazzofortuny_venezia
Peggy Guggenheim Collection – @guggenheim_venice
Caterina Tognon Art Gallery – @caterina_tognon
Jessica Loughlin – @jessloughlin
Lunardelli Venezia – @lunardelli_venezia
Yellow Boot https:@yellowboot.it
Mon Ban – @mon___ban
Cal Monda – @calmonda_prosecco
Murano Glass Museum – @visitmuve
Berengo Studio – @berengostudio
Lino Tagliapietra – @linotagliapietra
Cesare Toffolo – @cesaretoffolo
Davide Fuin & Amy West – @davidefuin @amywestdesign
Davide Salvadore and his sons Marco and Mattia – @salvadore.davide
Lucio Bubacco – @luciobubacco
Alessandro Boscolo – @alessandro_boscolo_murano
Pietro and Riccardo Ferro – @the_ferro_brothers_glass
Simone Cenedese – @simonecenedeseglass
Dylan Katz – @uncanny_ice
Effetre Murano – @effetremurano
And an extra special Thank You to our GAS Members for traveling with GAS!
Monica, Sven, Marilue, Terry, Nimet, Yimaz, Dave, Susan, Amber, Ellen, Barbara, Martha, Sarah, Rick, and Dennis.
In Memoriam, Mary H. Though we never had the opportunity to know you, your spirit and connection to our tour is honored and remembered.