Perfume in a 1700s Florence shop. In this small class, you make a custom scent with a master perfumer, then bottle it into 30ml to take home. The main tradeoff: the experience can feel a bit structured, so if you want tons of open-ended sampling, you may wish for a wider selection of notes.

You start at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, in an atmosphere that feels like Renaissance alchemy. I like that the workshop includes a coffee or tea break, plus a signed certificate, so you leave with more than just a souvenir bag. One more thing to consider, English instruction can be lighter for some participants than they expected.

Because it is capped at 15 travelers, you get a more hands-on feel at your table. This is also a great pick if you are visiting Florence and want something personal and memorable, not just another museum stop.

Key takeaways before you go

• 1700s apothecary setting at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, surrounded by rare essences
• Guided blending so you know how to balance the oils you choose
• Your own bottle of perfume: 30ml plus a signed completion certificate
• Coffee or tea break included, so the 2 hours stays comfortable
• Small group size (maximum 15), which helps you focus while you smell and choose
• English is available, but if you want deep theory, go with flexible expectations

Antica Spezieria San Simone: a historic workshop you can actually smell

The class takes place in Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, an artisanal store and laboratory that dates back to the 1700s. That time period matters here because the whole experience is built around the idea of apothecaries, glassware, ampules, and rare ingredients. You are not just watching a demo from the back of the room.

In practice, you will feel like you stepped into a working workshop. You see the tools and bottles up close, and the space is designed for smelling and choosing. Expect it to be more compact than a modern classroom, which can be part of the charm. Reviews and descriptions also suggest the shop can be dark or moody in a nice way, so do not plan on doing detailed note-taking by reading tiny labels.

This is one of the most praised parts of the experience: people tend to remember the setting as much as the finished perfume. It also helps you slow down. When you are surrounded by shelves of fragrance ingredients, it is easier to focus on what you like instead of scrolling past options.

Meet the master perfumer and learn the logic behind perfume notes

Before you start mixing, you meet the master perfumer in the workshop. The session includes an introduction to the history of perfumery in Florence, and how that tradition links back to Renaissance roots.

More importantly, you get the basics of how fragrance is put together. You learn how to choose ingredients and transform them into a wearable blend. You are guided through the idea of different layers of scent, commonly described as base, heart, and top notes. You do not need a chemistry background. The class is designed so you can make choices and still end up with something balanced.

One watch-out: instruction in English can be brief compared to what Italian speakers may receive. If you are the type who likes to ask follow-up questions, ask early, because the time moves on once you start smelling and selecting.

A small but useful detail: your session is paced like a real workshop. You get time to smell and think, then the perfumer and staff handle the technical part of combining your chosen oils. That means you spend your mental energy on taste and preference, not measuring equipment.

Choosing oils at your table: how the class works in real life

Once you are in, your perfume-making is built around a scent kit. You will smell a set of essences at your table and choose what you want included in your final fragrance. The process is hands-on, but still structured, so you are not left alone in a cloud of choices.

Here is what you should expect the blending experience to feel like:

• You sample and compare scents at close range
• You choose a combination that fits your taste
• You work with guidance to decide how it should be balanced
• Staff help with assembling and bottling the final mix

Some people really loved the straightforward nature of this format. It can be fun even if you go solo, and it also works well if you are there with a friend or family member. The workshop is small enough that your group does not feel lost, and the staff can guide you when you are stuck between two notes.

On the other hand, not everyone loves how limited the selection can feel. A few descriptions mention the set of vials being limited, so the experience may not match what you hoped for if you expected endless mini-samples. If you have specific ingredients in mind, keep expectations realistic. You might be able to add extra scents at extra cost if available, but that is not guaranteed in the information provided.

From chosen scents to a bottled fragrance you can actually use

After you pick your oils, the workshop moves into the mixing and bottling stage. This is a key moment because your choices get turned into a single perfume, rather than staying as separate samples.

You bottle your own fragrance, and you take home a 30ml bottle. That is a meaningful size. It is large enough to wear regularly, not just dab at events. It also makes the class feel more like a real product creation than a tasting activity.

You also get a certificate of completion, signed by the master perfumer. That signature matters more than it sounds. It turns the bottle into something you can show and remember. It is also a nice keepsake if you are collecting experiences while traveling.

One practical thing to know from participant tips: fragrance can shift as it rests. Some people suggest giving your bottle time before judging the final result, since notes may blend more fully after a while. So if your first whiff feels different than you expected, do not panic. Let it sit, then wear it.

The included coffee or tea break: small pause, big sanity saver

The class includes a coffee break or tea break with complimentary coffee, tea, or water. This is not just a perk. It helps because perfume mixing can be intense. Smelling multiple oils close together can fatigue your nose surprisingly fast.

That break also gives you a moment to reset and think. You can compare scents you liked earlier with what you picked, and decide whether you want any last adjustments. If you are going with a child, teenager, or a friend who gets bored easily, the break keeps the experience from feeling like one long sensory workout.

I also like that it is included. When an activity like this does not include refreshments, you end up racing around Florence to find a café. Here, you can stay in the same atmosphere and keep your timing.

Price and value: is $84.69 worth a custom 30ml bottle?

At $84.69 per person for about 2 hours, this is not the cheapest thing you can do in Florence. But it is not overpriced in the way many souvenir workshops are either. The math comes from what you actually receive.

You get:

• Guidance from a master perfumer
• Access to the workshop setting at Antica Spezieria San Simone
• A custom blend creation session
• A take-home bottle: 30ml
• A signed certificate
• A complimentary coffee or tea break

If you buy perfume in Florence, you can easily spend more than this for a smaller bottle, and you still do not get a personalized blend made to your preferences. Here, the value is that you are paying for your nose to become the creator. You also pay for the atmosphere, the staff time, and the workshop style that makes it feel like a real craft, not a rushed demo.

Where the value can feel weaker is if you are expecting lots of sampling variety or deeper, step-by-step technical instruction in English. The class is guided, but it is designed to help you leave with something you like, not to teach a full perfumery curriculum.

Who should book this class, and who might skip it

This experience is a strong fit if you want:

• A fun, hands-on activity in Florence that is not a museum
• A memorable take-home item, your own scent in a real bottle
• An experience that works for different ages and personalities, including solo visitors and couples
• A calm group setting, since the group is limited

It is also a nice option for families, including kids who are curious about smells. One practical advantage: the shop setting can be comfortable, with reports noting there is air conditioning.

If you might be disappointed, it is usually because you wanted one of these:

• A much longer, more in-depth lecture on perfumery
• Much more extensive sampling than what is provided
• A lesson that feels more advanced and less structured

If that sounds like you, do not assume the class will be an open-ended perfumery lab. It is closer to a guided workshop where you make choices inside a set framework, then leave with a finished blend.

Practical tips to make your workshop go smoothly

A little prep goes a long way with scent activities.

1. Arrive a bit early

One useful tip from timing experience: the class can start at the on-site be there time, which can be about 10 minutes before the listed start. Build in buffer time. If you are running late, you may feel rushed once you start smelling.

1. Go easy on fragrance before you arrive

Strong deodorant, perfume, or scented lotion can clash with what you are smelling in the workshop. Freshen up, but keep it light.

1. Choose notes that you actually like wearing

This is the biggest confidence booster. Your goal is not to pick the most interesting scent in the room. Pick the blend you will want to apply later.

1. Be ready for the waiting moment

Once you choose, staff mix for your group. That means you may spend a portion of the 2 hours waiting while others are processed. Use it to smell, compare, and think about how you want the final bottle to feel on you.

1. Ask about options if you have a favorite ingredient

Some participants report being able to add scents at an extra cost when they requested something specific. If there is one ingredient you love, ask during your selection window.

Should you book this Perfume Masterclass in Florence?

I think it is an easy yes if you want a small, memorable Florence activity where you take home a real bottle and feel like you made something yourself. The historic setting at Antica Spezieria San Simone, the guided blending, and the signed certificate make it feel more meaningful than a standard shopping stop.

I would hesitate only if you know you want a very wide range of scents to sample, or if you are hoping for a longer, more technical explanation in English. In that case, plan to enjoy the craft and the atmosphere, not to treat it like a masterclass seminar.

If you like hands-on experiences and you want a personalized souvenir that you can wear, this is a strong bet.

FAQ

How long is the perfume masterclass in Florence?

The class runs for about 2 hours.

What do I take home after the workshop?

You take home a 30ml bottle of your personalized perfume, plus a certificate of completion signed by the master perfumer. Coffee or tea is also included during the experience.

Where do I meet for the class, and does it end there too?

You meet at Via Ghibellina, 190, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the class offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What health requirements apply to participants over 12?

All participants over 12 must present proof of full vaccination, proof of first vaccination administered at least 15 days ago, proof of a Covid-19 infection in the past 6 months, or a negative test taken no more than 48 hours before the activity starts.