Top Italy Art & Culture Classes in 2026

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.

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.

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 course on mask-making from a local instructor 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the secrets of Tuscan cooking during this full-day experience, including a market visit and cooking class. Shop for fresh ingredients at a Florentine market before venturing to a Tuscan farmhouse in the countryside. Take your cue from a chef as you create Italian dishes from scratch including bruschetta, pasta, roast pork, and tiramisù. Complement the fruits of your labor with complimentary Tuscan wine.

Put pen to paper in a 17th-century art studio in Rome while enjoying unlimited Italian wine and snacks during this private life drawing class. Traditional art classes can be intimidating; this experience lets you learn how to draw the human form with guidance from an experienced artist in a relaxed setting. Enjoy pizza and wine while creating your artwork in a small group of up to 14 people.

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.

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.

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.

Knowing where to start when visiting Rome's archaeological sites can be daunting, especially for first-time visitors. This group tour handles the planning, with an itinerary that includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Step onto the amphitheater's restricted Arena Floor, something the majority of travelers aren't able to access. Gain deeper insights through your guide's commentary, which goes beyond what you'll find on the information panels.

After a great stay in Rome, arrange for a stress-free ride to Rome Fiumicino Airport with a private, customizable transfer service. Meet your driver at your Rome city hotel and relax on the journey to the airport without worrying about rental car drop-off or hauling luggage onto public transport. Receive personalized attention in a private vehicle for up to eight passengers.

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.

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 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.

Savor Florence’s best bites on a private food tour! Enjoy 6 or 10 authentic tastings of local favorites, from espresso and pastries to Chianti wine and Cantucci. Along the way, discover the city’s highlights, visit local markets, and experience the culture behind each dish. This intimate, sustainable tour is led by a passionate local foodie, ensuring a delicious and unforgettable journey through Florence’s food scene.

Rather than gondola rides and crowded sightseeing spots, this hands-on experience allows you to learn about a traditional Venetian craft—glass-blowing. Enjoy a private water taxi to Murano, visit a glass factory, meet a glass master, and watch how Murano glass is blown. You can also try your hand at glass blowing with expert help during this exclusive private tour.

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.

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.

Explore the incredible excavation sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as the volcano that buried both cities in the first century, on this private tour. Drive to nearly the top of Mt. Vesuvius for a walk to the crater. Travel back in time to see what remains of Herculaneum and Pompeii, both cities remarkably well-preserved by the volcanic eruption. If you'd like to know more about the history of the sites, upgrade your tour to include a guide and admission tickets.