7 Workshops Worth Booking

1.Château du Bois-Huaut: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 53 reviews · 2 hours · from $38Our pick

Spend two hours at Château du Bois-Huaut in Gorges, just outside Nantes. Walk through the vineyard, tour the cellar, and learn tasting skills from a professional sommelier. You’ll sample eight wines made from 14 grape varieties, then take home one bottle per person.

“Très bonne présentation de Luis, très impliqué et hyper passionné ; En revanche, aucune livraison possible de bouteilles directement chez l'acheteur ; obligé de passer par des "points relais", c'est totalement désuet aujourd'hui; la plupart des producteurs passent par des transporteurs et font payer les frais de port, ce qui est normal ; et cela évite de "conserver" les cartons à 35 degrés à l'ombre comme en ce moment... dommage car Luis avait insisté sur les écarts de température, très mauvais pour le vin...”

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2.Granada: “Alhambra´s Craft Workshop”

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 32 reviews · 2 hours · from $69

At a fine arts workshop on C. Horno de Haza, 500 meters from Granada Cathedral, Frederick helps you choose from about a dozen Alhambra-inspired projects, including mosaics, Nasrid tiles, plasterwork, gold leaf, and marquetry. In two hours, you learn the basics and take home your own handmade piece.

“Una experiencia preciosa y muy especial en pleno corazón de Granada. Aprender las técnicas artesanales inspiradas en la Alhambra —pintura, alicatado o taracea— fue como viajar al pasado y conectar con el arte andalusí desde dentro. El profesor es encantador y explica todo con detalle, ayudándote a crear tu propia pieza única para llevarte de recuerdo. Perfecto para los amantes del arte, la historia y la calma. ¡Totalmente recomendable!”

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3.Learn Zen in a class of making Matcha tea near Osaka Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 17 reviews · 1 hour · from $40

At Bushi no Homare in Osaka, you will change into kimono or samurai-style clothing, learn tea ceremony etiquette, prepare matcha, and taste seasonal wagashi. An English-speaking instructor guides the one-hour class for up to six people, with photos sent by email afterward.

“We had a wonderful experience. we really enjoyed theclass. our host took her time to ensure we each had a chance to experience tea making. we also were thrilled with the costumes.”

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4.Nasrid Crafts: Only plasterwork workshop in the Alhambra

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $24Best value

At Artesanía Nazarí in Cenes de la Vega, you’ll tour a working plaster workshop, watch molds and plaster become decorative pieces, then refine and paint your own Nazarí design. The English-language visit lasts about two hours and includes a handmade gift.

“I communicated back and forth via WhatsApp with someone at this venue to schedule a workshop. They would be very responsive, then not answer for a few days, then reply a few times, then not. Our original date got rescheduled, then the whole thing was cancelled. I questioned the legitimacy of this place because the reasons for rescheduling and cancelling were inconsistent.”

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5.Pizza Pro, a Hands-On Cooking Class Near Castel Sant Angelo

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 13 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $47

Meet an English-speaking Italian chef in central Rome, about five minutes from Piazza Navona, for a hands-on pizza class. Prepare your own dough, choose toppings, enjoy prosecco and wine, then finish with limoncello and tiramisu. The class is friendly and practical, though timing and location details need care.

“It was a great experience learning pizza making in Italy. Our family had a great time and the two gentlemen running the show were great and taught us a lot. I would highly recommend this cooking class”

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6.Blending workshop and tour of the chateau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $46Top rated

At Château Sainte-Barbe near Bordeaux, guide Solène leads you through the château and vineyards before a hands-on blending workshop. You compare wines, create your own blend, bottle it, and take home a personalized souvenir. The private experience is offered in English and lasts about two hours.

“We had a wonderful time at Chateau Saint-Barbe with Solène. She was an excellent guide and showed us the around the property before bringing us to our tasting. We learned a lot about wine and had a complete blast blending and bottling our own! The tour is great for the value. We took the bus from Bordeaux--it was straightforward and the bus drops you off very close to the Chateau. Solène accommodated our bus schedule, allowing us to start and end early.”

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7.Matsumoto Castle Tour & Soba Noodle Making Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 3 hours · from $92

Meet your English-speaking guide outside Matsumoto Castle, tour the National Treasure for about 90 minutes, then learn soba-making with an experienced master. You will mix, roll, and cut the noodles, then eat them with an extra dish. The 500-gram batch is shared by two or three people.

“had a great time, Tom gave me plenty of info about the area and had some great stories. Highly recommend”

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