Top Italy Art & Culture Classes

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Get an inside peek into the world-famous glassblowing factories of Murano with this small-group tour. From central Venice, ride a water taxi across the Venetian Lagoon to the colorful island of Murano. Watch a glassmaking demonstration by a master craftsman, and enjoy time to browse the factory showroom featuring finished works of art. Finally, attend your choice of hands-on workshop to create a take-home piece of jewelry or mosaic using authentic Murano glass.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rome is home to countless artisan ateliers, and you can experience the city's craftsperson culture with this hands-on leather workshop. Learn techniques and tools for creating a wallet, pouch, keychain, or other leather item with guidance from a seasoned artisan, customizing the design and color to suit your taste. Bring home your personalized creation for a unique souvenir of your time in Rome.

You will learn the steps and the history of the dances of Naples, Campania and Southern Italy: tammurriata, tarantella, pizzica. Connoisseurs and experts in the sector will guide you on this unique journey, which will make you discover the cultural fabric of the south from an unusual perspective.

Capture your trip to Venice during this private one, two, three, or four-hour photoshoot with a professional photographer. Let the city be your backdrop as you pose in front of iconic Venice locations—ideal for solo travelers, couples, or special events. Get between 20 and 50 final images (depending on the duration selected) in an online viewing gallery within two weeks.

Take a break from the crowded sightseeing spots in Florence and relax in a quiet studio to learn the secrets behind painting or sculpting on this small-group art lesson. Enjoy hands-on instruction from a professional sculptor or a classically trained painter in an inspiring, sun-filled workshop. Learn ancient and modern techniques, and work on your own creation, painting with oils or sculpting with clay. Classes are suitable for beginners and experts alike.

Design your own jewelry in a small-group class in Florence’s historic center. Use metalsmithing tools, silver- or gold-plated wire, and gemstones to weave an intricate design with an ancient wire-knitting technique once worn by Renaissance nobility. Choose to make a necklace, earrings, or bracelet, and leave with a piece that reflects Renaissance craftsmanship and your own inspiration.

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.

Experience the true flavor of the Tuscan countryside—and enjoy wine tasting without designating a driver—on this Chianti wine tour from Florence. Visit local wineries in scenic villages to sample revered Tuscan wines and learn winemaking secrets. Alternatively, enhance your day with a morning cooking class preparing traditional Tuscan recipes paired with premium wines.

The Catacombs of Rome are a popular attraction, but this tour lets you bypass the long lines outside and also gives you skip-the-line access to the Capuchin Crypt and Basilica San Martino ai Monti, making it a great pick for travelers short on time. See Rome's mysterious side with a guide filling in the details so you can get more out of your visit.