Have you ever had these thoughts when planning your trip to Italy?
- I’m not a museum person. What else is there to do?
- I want to meet local people and learn about local traditions and crafts.
- I’d like to have hands-on experiences and do an activity versus just participating in more passive visits.
I have heard these sentiments from many travelers, and that’s why today, I am sharing a list of 7 workshops and classes you can do in Italy. These are great for people of all ages and will allow you to engage with local people and learn a traditional craft in a hands-on, participatory way.
Modern Mosaic Workshop
Silvia Logi’s workshop is a world of whimsy and color in an old monastery turned creative hub. During the three-hour workshop, she’ll teach you how to use found and recovered items to make colorful three-dimensional mosaic collages. You can choose the design you’d like to make—the most popular are Florence’s landmarks, including the Duomo, Santo Spirito, and Santa Croce church. After your workshop, don’t miss sitting in the monastery’s inviting courtyard to enjoy a coffee or aperitivo.
👉 To book this experience, contact Silvia directly at info@silvialogi.it.
Marbled Paper Making
Marbled paper-making has a long tradition in Florence, and you can join in its history. Stepping into the workshop, you will immediately notice the rainbow of paints. Choose your colors, and the experts will instruct you on the technique of carefully dropping the paint into the water, precisely swirling it around to achieve various patterns, and then carefully laying your paper on top and peeling it back to reveal your design on the paper magically. The process is mesmerizing and one you won’t soon forget.
👉 Book the experience with the artisan Workshop Giulio Giannini e Figlio or local artist Francesa Vannini. Clicking on the links will take you to their sites to book the experience.
Hands-on Cooking Class
Food is one of Italy’s fortes; you cannot miss jumping into the kitchen to learn how to make some of Italy’s famed dishes. Start with a market visit. Your instructor will share the significant role of vital regional ingredients and point out what’s in season. Together, you will plan the menu and purchase the necessary ingredients. After that, it is back to the kitchen. Get hands-on rolling out fresh pasta, making delicious sauces, appetizers, and desserts. Wine and snacks are served during the class, but don’t eat too many, as the grand finale is sitting down to enjoy the gorgeous meal you’ve created.
👉 There are so many cooking lessons I love in Italy! Here are a select few recommendations – if you don’t see a cooking lesson in the area you want, email me, and I’ll be happy to give you a tailored suggestion:
- Bologna – Maribel at Taste of Italy
- Rome – Daniela at Daniela’s Cooking School
- Venice – Marika at Acquolina
- Florence – Giorgio at Florence Food Studio
Wine Painting Workshop
Wine tasting and winery visits are at the top of traveler’s lists when they visit the Piedmont region in northeast Italy. But have you ever thought of painting with wine? Like many great things, Ryta Barbero’s (known as “PurpleRyta“) art was inspired by a happy accident. Spilled wine moved her to paint a picture with wine, and as a result, her craft was born. Climb the stairs into her workshop and home in the heart of the Barolo village. You will spill the wine onto your canvas and let the shape inspire you to create your masterpiece.
👉 To book this experience, contact Ryta directly at purpleryta@gmail.com.
Glass-Blowing in Venice
If you’re ready for the heat, this experience is for you! Enter the glass-blowing workshops on the island of Murano near Venice and learn to blow 1800° Fahrenheit glass into works of art. This experience is not for the faint at heart. You can book a simple guided workshop tour if you prefer less heat. Otherwise, in this 2.5-hour workshop, you will develop the skills to make a cup or vase to take home with you!
👉 Book the experience here: Venice Glassblowing Class in Murano (this is an affiliate link; if you book through the link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you).
Gelato-Making Workshop
In the hilltop village of San Gimignano, famed as the Manhattan of the medieval ages for its many towers, resides the award-winning Gelateria Dondoli. After climbing the hilly streets of San Gimignano, you will be ready for a cool treat, and here, in a hands-on class, you will learn the basics of gelato making. You’ll make a couple of gelato flavors, learn how to scoop a cup or cone properly, and then, the most thrilling part – you will eat the gelato you’ve made!
👉 Write Gelateria Dondoli at sergio@gelateriadondoli.com to book the class.
Venetian Rowing Lesson
Watching a gondolier in Venice, have you ever wondered how they row and maneuver the boat while standing and without falling into the water!? This lesson with Row Venice will answer that question and allow you to try it out! Learn the Venetian style of rowing – standing up, facing forward – made famous by the gondoliers. This 80-minute lesson will teach you how to properly row and maneuver the boat through Venice’s iconic canals.
👉 Book the lesson here: Venetian Rowing Lesson.
Which activity would you most want to try?
Let me know in the comments if you’d be curious about any other off-the-beaten-path activities, workshops, or lessons. I’ll be happy to share any information I have about them with you, research anything unfamiliar, and report back!