We collaborate with some of the best artists, tour guides and professionals living in Siena and Tuscany in order to offer hands-on workshops focused on Italian culture. Our local experts will help you live a unique, personal experience. You’ll be guided to reveal your creativity by a “learning by doing” approach while having fun!
Medieval Painting
Immerse yourself in the life of a 14th century Sienese art studio. Under the guidance of a resident artist, you will learn about the techniques and tools used in medieval times to create your own painting, working with materials like gypsum, rabbit glue, clay from Armenia, pure gold, and egg tempera.
Manuscript Decoration
Discover the fascinating world of medieval miniature painting and illumination. After a visit to the collection of manuscripts preserved in the Piccolomini Library (Duomo of Siena), you will learn calligraphy, painting techniques, color mixing, and the application of gold leaf in order to create your own illuminated design.
Cultural fitwalking & photo tour at sunset
Stay fit with a surprising itinerary in the heart of Siena. A local tour guide will take you on a visit to the main hotspots of the city, traversing its sloping streets and alleys. After a stop in a breath-taking location overlooking Piazza del Campo to enjoy an energy break, you will continue fitwalking to the Fortezza Medicea for an open air workout session at sunset.
Ceramic jewellery making
Explore creative hand-building ceramic techniques. With the help of a local artist, you will learn how to approach jewelry making, develop your very own style, and create original clay jewels starting from a blueprint.
Tuscan wine making & tasting
Be introduced to the art of traditional and innovative Tuscan wine making by an expert sommelier. Learn how to carry out a visual, olfactory, and gustatory analysis and taste a selection of 4 distinctive Tuscan wines. Visit a local wine bar to see the methods of storage and presentation of wines in different settings.
A Sensory Journey into the Etruscan World
A sensory experience that will take you on a journey among plants, essences and pure oils loved by our ancestors, excellent cosmetologists and expert perfumers. A journey back in time following the footsteps of Etruscans. Discover ancient fragrances together with properties and characteristics of the main oils used in ancient Etruria. An olfactory experience combined with an experiential laboratory where you will learn to create your own “Etruscan” perfume in addition to two body products using local ingredients.
Herbs & Aromatherapy in Tuscany
Explore the world of Essential Oils, how are they made, how do they work and discover how to safely use them. Inspired by the many gifts that nature all around us offer, we have created a workshop dedicated to all the people passionate about an holistic approach to wellness and organic products. A sensory experience through the essential oils of the territory and a fun hands-on experience.
Secrets of the Palio revealed*
Experience the magical atmosphere of Siena’s most famous event: the Palio horse race. A local tour guide will lead you on a journey to discover its secrets while exploring the hidden alleys of the city and visiting a contrada, along with its church, museum, and the stable which hosts the horse, “the king of the race”. At the end of the tour, you will have the chance to attend a Palio trial race from a window overlooking Piazza del Campo and situated directly above the mossa (starting point) while enjoying an aperitif with a Sienese contradaiolo.
*This workshop is offered during the days of Palio trials