Top Italy Art & Culture Classes

Many tours visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii but only a few include the first-hand expertise of an archaeologist guide. Explore the ancient Roman city and discover what life was like before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the company of a guide who brings history to life while leading you to important buildings and structures such as the Basilica, the Forum, and the thermal baths.

Bring home the ultimate souvenir of your Venetian sojourn—your own papier-mâché carnival mask, handmade to your own design. A local master artisan works with you and your small group to unleash your creativity, as well as sharing stories of craftsmanship and carnival. Work with a whirlwind of materials—not just paint, but feathers, glitter, and trimmings—to create something that’s truly and uniquely yours.

Take a break from the usual sightseeing and snapping photos in Venice with this special experience that allows you to be an artist for the day. Learn how to capture the sky, lagoon, and historic palaces through the time-honored medium of watercolor. A local Venetian artist takes you to find the ideal corner of the city to paint, where you can create your own artwork.

Get hands-on experience with one-to-one guidance during a private glassmaking lesson. Discover the secrets of Murano glassmaking techniques from one of the most renowned craftsmen of Venice. The 90-minute workshop includes all materials—including your own marvelous glass artwork to take home—plus a 10 percent discount on glassworks from the artist.

The contact with clay: transforming the material with your own hands and creating a shape is fun and exciting. To experience one of the most ancient techniques is to immerse yourself in the very history of our town, a town with an ancient ceramic tradition.

Immerse yourself in the ancient art of Roman mosaics in a hands-on workshop. Learn traditional techniques, use natural marble, and create your own mosaic masterpiece to take home from an authentic mosaic studio.

Take a course on mask-making from a master artisan in Venice, and learn about the history of this ancient tradition. See the traditional art of decorating a mask and see what goes into the preparation for the Venetian Carnival. Then create your own masterpiece to create a special memory from your time in Venice.

Partake in one of Italy’s most time-honored art forms during this two-and-a-half-hour small-group glass-blowing workshop on the island of Murano. Suitable for beginners, workshops include a live demonstration and hands-on instruction in shaping molten glass. Make an original art object to take back home as a souvenir, ready for pickup the next day. Your glass piece can also be shipped worldwide at an additional cost.

Explore the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel without spending hours waiting in line on this comprehensive tour that includes entry to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Navigate the vast halls, artwork, and history with a guide who gives special insights into the collections that you would likely miss if alone. Go beyond the guidebook and enjoy commentary that enlivens highlights such as the Gallery of the Maps and the Pineyard Courtyard.

Venture into Tuscany on this day trip from Florence and discover the region's highlights with the help of a local guide. Explore the medieval city of Siena and its cathedral before heading to the hills of Chianti for a Tuscan lunch and wine tasting (optional). Roam the streets of San Gimignano and travel to Pisa to admire the architectural drama of Cathedral Square—home to the UNESCO-listed Leaning Tower of Pisa. Upgrade to include admission to climb the tower.

Head to one of the few remaining artisan mask studios still active in Venice for this mask-making workshop, a wonderful way to unleash your creativity—and craft a unique and expressive souvenir. Learn the history of Venetian masks and the artisans who make them, then paint and decorate your own mask using traditional techniques such as painting and gilding. Your tutor is on hand throughout to help realize your vision.

Discover the many delights of Tuscany’s wine country on this small-group tasting tour from Florence. Travel along beautiful hillside roads through vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees. Visit 2 top-rated wineries in the famed Chianti Classico region, tour the cellars and learn how wine is produced using traditional methods. Taste different wines, along with olive oil and Tuscan specialties like fresh cheeses and bruschetta. Group size is limited to twenty-five participants for a more personalized experience.

Murano glass is one of Venice's most famous crafts, but most tourists never go beyond a glassblowing demonstration. With this hands-on class, take a deeper dive into the city's glass-making traditions by creating colorful beads under the guidance of a seasoned artisan. Discover the historic Venetian art of lampworking using techniques passed down through the centuries, and take away your handcrafted beads as a unique souvenir of your time in the Floating City.

The Doge's Palace prison near St. Mark's Square is where Casanova was held before his famous escape—a specific and unusual piece of Venetian history that standard walking tours rarely cover. This experience combines a guided visit to the historic prison with a hands-on Carnival mask-making workshop led by a local artisan, with a completed mask to take home at the end.

Discover the famous beauty of one of Italy’s most iconic shorelines with this full-day tour of the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento. Travel in an air-conditioned mini-coach along spectacular coastal roads, stopping to visit the region’s three most popular and beautiful villages—Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. With tips from your knowledgeable guide, enjoy leisure time in each town to stroll narrow cobblestone streets and shop for unique handmade goods.

If you have always wanted to paint but lack the nerve to try, join this fun, no-pressure paint and sip experience in the heart of Rome. Visit an artist's studio in a historic building and unleash your inner artist under the guidance of your art instructor. All materials are provided, along with Italian wines and freshly baked pizza.

Tuscany has been known for its pottery since ancient times, and with this hands-on class you’ll enjoy an introduction to traditional Tuscan “majolica” in just a few hours. Head to a family-run workshop in Montelupo, a village known for its pottery production since the Renaissance. Visit a real pottery factory and learn about Italian techniques then create your own masterpiece that you can take home alongside a master potter.

Experience a side of Rome rare to visitors with a mosaic-making workshop in the heart of the city—all materials and a silver frame included. Get hands-on instruction in techniques used by 19th-century artisans. Workshops are limited to only seven participants, ensuring each jewelry-maker will get personalized attention. Bottled water is provided, plus a complimentary tea or coffee.

Take a break from sightseeing in Florence, and spend some time inside cooling off from the daytime heat, with this gelato and pizza cookery class. Under the guidance of a chef, learn how to make these Italian dishes whilst getting insight into the country's culinary traditions along the way. Feast on what you have made after the class has wrapped up and celebrate with unlimited wine and soft drinks.

A unique experience that combines art and local wines paired with quality food in beautiful settings.You will spend three hours in a natural setting, in the heart of the Bardolino Wine area, tasting wines and local food, being able to express your creativity in painting on canvas, completely detaching from everyday life.

Channel the artistry of Italian masterpieces during a private 2-hour painting class in the heart of Rome. All materials are included for your convenience and no previous fine art experience is necessary, as your guide provides a crash course in color, composition, and technique. Leave class with a finished canvas to bring home, gift a friend, or commemorate your visit.

Discover firsthand the art of mosaic creation in a magnificent studio located in Vatican City. Immerse yourself in this engaging laboratory and acquire the skills and secrets of mosaic processing thanks to Maria Teresa, a skilled mosaic teacher who will follow you in every phase of your work, teaching you the particular techniques of mosaic processing.

Take a break from sightseeing and get hands-on in this small-group, wallet-making workshop in Florence. Join a local designer who guides you through the process of crafting a wallet from scratch, with a choice of leather, colors, and details to make it your own. Perfect for friends, couples, or solo adventurers seeking a unique, interactive activity.