Top Italy Art & Culture Classes

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.

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.

Making a small work of art with your own hands is a source of great self-esteem and if this is a jewel, you will have the opportunity to always keep it with you, wearing it!

Find your inner Renaissance artist in the historic heart of Florence. This outdoor class takes inspiration from the sights and sounds of the city, and offers seasoned pros and beginners alike the chance to put paintbrush to paper. Perch amongst the buildings and get a helping hand from your instructor on composition, perspective, and color, and walk away with a pencil drawing and watercolor painting to remember the trip.

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.

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.

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.

Venetian masks have a long and storied history: during the republic’s heyday, they were used to conceal the identities of residents who engaged in decadent activities. In their masks, peasants and noblemen were equal. Make your own Venetian mask (yours to keep), adorned with sequins, ribbons, and other fineries, under the tutelage of a local artist. All materials are provided.

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.

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.

Having to decide what to see in Syracuse, this cannot be missing. It was 2008 when UNESCO registered the Opera dei Pupi among the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It was the first Italian heritage to be included on this list. For this reason, if you are wondering what to do in Sicily, one of the simplest answers is to attend such a show: an experience not to be missed. And thanks to SiciLife you can take a real journey into the art of puppeteers.

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.

You don’t have to brave Venice in February to enjoy the magic of Carnival. Capture yourself against six different settings and backgrounds with a range of dresses, masks, hats, and feathers at a studio in the heart of Venice. Create fun videos and photos to share online or print out—it’s the perfect activity for when history and art gets a little much.

Create your own signature scent in the heart of Florence during a perfume masterclass with a master perfumer at the historic Antica Erboristeria San Simone. Step into a centuries-old apothecary and discover the art of fragrance-making, inspired by the Renaissance alchemists. Craft your personalized 30ml perfume using rare essences, and take home both your custom blend and a certificate to commemorate the experience. A unique and sensory journey awaits.

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.

Let out your inner artist in Lecce, and book a paper-mache class in the city. This private craft workshop offers a way to get creative and bring home a self-made souvenir using an ancient art form. You’ll hear the history behind paper-mache, learn some different techniques, and enjoy a sociable setting with your own personal group.

Arianna is one of the few remaining Venetian artisans who still prints like in the 15th century. If you plan to visit Venice you cannot miss the opportunity to travel through time and return to the age of the "Serenissima". You can meet Arianna at her art studio, an antique-style printing house in Fondamenta dei Ormesini in the Cannaregio district and attend an entire press session with her: you will be surprised by the atmosphere, the colors, the scents, the gestures , from the work behind a single print. The entire work behind an art print will be shown: starting from the initial drawing, the various processing steps will be explained to obtain a chalcographic engraving, until the actual print is under your eyes.

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.

Change up your sightseeing routine in Rome with this hands-on pottery class in the historic center, steps from the main sights. Roll up your sleeves and get to work molding and shaping your clay and tapping your creative vein by painting the finished work under the guidance of your ceramics instructor. Take your creation home with you for a unique souvenir of your time in the Eternal City.

Sip Italian aperitivi—and indulge your creative spirit—during this unique small-group activity in Rome. This two-in-one painting class includes unlimited pre-dinner drinks, all hosted within the setting of a historic palazzo. Get the chance to create your own masterpiece during this beginner-friendly workshop, and enjoy a fun and social way to begin a night out in the Eternal City.

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.

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.

A concentrate for those who are curious to learn more about the majolica production of Vietri sul mare ceramics and its tradition. You will have a broad overview and you will experiment with various techniques.