Christmas as it used to be: a time to make and create something beautiful.

It’s not so much about the presents or the day itself, but about the anticipation and the care we put into creating something meaningful. That’s what makes this time of year truly special.

This year, we want to celebrate exactly that: the beauty of Italy’s handmade craftsmanship.

Murano glass in Venice

The tradition of Murano glass is a long and storied one. The glass artisans were moved to Murano, one of the islands in the Venetian lagoon, in order to prevent fires from spreading in the city. They soon became renowned as the finest masters of this craft in all of Europe. Today, their legacy lives on in every shimmering creation: from delicate ornaments to grand chandeliers and opulent candelabras that seem to capture light itself. Murano glass is not just a craft, it is a symbol of Venetian artistry and one of the most iconic and treasured souvenirs you can bring home from the magic of Venice.

Wood works in Val Gardena

We are now at the foot of Italy’s highest mountains. Here, in the valleys of Val Gardena and the town of Ortisei, the tradition of woodcarving was born as a way for locals to keep working during the harsh winters. What began as a necessity soon became a celebrated art form. In 1872, the founding of a dedicated woodcarving academy marked a turning point, helping artisans refine and elevate their craft.
Val Gardena now has around 10,000 inhabitants, and remarkably, more than 1,000 of them work with wood. Their skills span a wide range of artistic disciplines: from sculptors to carvers, from painters to polychromers, each contributing to a heritage that is both vibrant and deeply rooted in the culture of the valley.

Papier-mâché nativity scene in Apulia

The making of the nativity scene is an ancient tradition, cherished by artisans and Italian households alike. Papier-mâché began to be used in the 17th century, when Lecce (Apulia)’s craftsmen, lacking fine materials, turned to simple ones such as straw, rags, and glue. These formed a light core that was modeled with clay, coated, and hand-painted, resulting in figures surprisingly similar to those made with precious materials. Today, the Papier-Mâché Museum in Lecce preserves over one hundred pieces, and local workshops remain open for visitors to admire this distinctive craft.

Contact us to plan your trip including an artisan’s workshop!