Tours designed and leadered by our Experts

Immersive week ends to discover your passion

One day special moments within your passion

Hands-on: explore your passion with the artisans

The Italian Tour Operator with an Artistic Direction.

We help to explore and experience your passion, curating your trip to Italy.

HORSES IN TUSCANY

By Elena Sisti

Horses have been central to the show of power for centuries. Art and literature are full of representation of horses that play fundamental roles in the lives of the protagonist of Italian history.

The journey starts from Florence, the renaissance capital of Italy, the visit to the city between history and ancient palaces includes the discovery of the Gucci Garden, the museum that tells the story of the brand and his passion for horse riding accessories. Visit Siena where the Palio is a central part of life and allows everyone to relieve ancient traditions. Central to the journey is the experience in Tuscany with the Butteri, the Italian cow-boys to enjoy a full immersion in the culture of the Maremma shepherds. Spend the last days in Rome, to visit ancient Roman ruins and the magnificent stables of the Quirinale, the Papal Stables.

THREADS OF INSPIRATION: LACE & EMBROIDERY

By Elisabetta Gavazzi

This itinerary takes place in Brianza, north of Milan, a land in which there is a great tradition in lace and lace embroidery – here there is a bobbin lace school in Cantù, the center famous for its particular lace. The tour is based in an aristocratic villa from the 1700s, surrounded by a large park. The concomitance with the Biennial of Lace and Lace in Cantù will give the opportunity to visit the exhibition, even with an optional extension of 2 days (more info on request). The Villa is a perfect example of the local 18th century architecture, over time it has seen stories of family rides, undisturbed games in the large park. The lace making courses will be held in the vast rooms, furnished with original period furniture. In less than an hour from the Villa you can reach Como with its wonderful lake or even visit the center of Milan

 

FASHION IS CULTURE

By Elisabetta Gavazzi

Milan is a paradise for fashion and design lovers. Schools such us Marangoni, Naba and Domus are the best in the world for international professionals. This itinerary will take you to the discover the secrets of fashion and design through a workshop in Domus academy and the visits to famous designers, tailors and accessories experts around Lombardy. All in the magnificent setting of Italian culture and food.

ON CARAVAGGIO’S FOOTSTEPS

By Eleonora Onghi and Luca Vivona

Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio, is considered to be one of the most famous Italian artists of all time. His use of light and shadows set the premises to the birth of Baroque and was then imitated by several international artists. By visiting Milan, Bologna, Florence, and Rome it is possible to discover his intense, short, and yet, very prolific artistic life. 

Optional: Tuscany seaside extension. 

TOWNS MADE OF MOSAICS IN NORTHERN ITALY

Designed by Elisabetta Gavazzi

The art of tiny pieces can shape a town. Floors and walls of northern Italian cities have been decorated with mosaics using different stiles. Stone mosaics in Milan’s Duomo, gold mosaics in Venice and the 4th – 11th centuries mosaics of Spilimbergo, Grado, and Aquileia, in Friuli Venezia Giulia region. The history of this ancient technique has been formally recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage by nominating eight monuments situated in Ravenna.

Two half-days workshop at Luciana Notturni mosaic school in Ravenna.

CONTEMPORARY MOSAICS IN CENTRAL ITALY

By Elisabetta Gavazzi

Mosaic artists have been part of the Italian tradition for centuries, since Roman times mosaic has been used to decorate villas, palaces, walls, and city centers. This ancient technique has survived through centuries and it is now being re-evaluated and used to produce contemporary artworks. Rome, Siena, Montepulciano, and Florence are privileged places to discover how the art of stone painting has evolved in centuries and is currently being used to create impressive artworks.

ANCIENT MOSAIC WONDERS IN SOUTHERN ITALY

By Valeria Gerli

By combining different pieces of stone, precious marble, or vitreous paste, the effect, the color, or the way light is reflected, change completely. Southern Italy hosts some of the most evocative sites of the ancient Roman empire and Norman Sicily empire, revealing hidden meanings, characteristic iconographies, and different ways the art of mosaics was used. In Naples, Pompei and Sicily is possible to observe the different styles and techniques used in centuries to enrichen and decorate buildings and monuments.

One day mosaic workshop in Syracuse.

ON DANTE’S FOOTSTEPS

Designed by Francesco Mazzai

Dante Alighieri  is considered the father of Italian language. The Divine Comedy describes his imaginary journey through hell, purgatory and paradise. This journey through cities as VeronaMantua, Padova, Ravenna and Florence among others is a proposal to follow his path, discovering the artistic inspiration he followed to paint an image of Italy. 

 

ANCIENT TRADITIONS AND CRAFTS IN SARDINIA

By Alessio Neri and Giusi Carai

The island of Sardinia is a privileged place to understand the ancient Mediterranean ceramic and textile traditions. Here, both techniques have been preserved and re-evaluated thanks to contemporary esthetical adaptations. Cagliari, the fascinating capital of the island, hosts some amazing ceramic exhibitions, and in the interior cities of Oristano and Samugheo, Textiles Museums allow to discover these ancients traditions while in Orgosolo there is a mask exposition that explains the famous carnival tradition of Mamuthones.

Three half-days ceramic workshop in an experience Hotel in Oliena with time to discover and relax the environs.

CARRARA MARBLE EXPERIENCE

By Elisabetta Gavazzi

Entering a workshop is the only way to understand which techniques are used to polish and carve marble. The stone Michelangelo preferred to shape his famous sculputures, comes from the majestic marble Quarries of Carrara and are the result of centuries of sedimentation. The natural strength of marble and its secrets are hidden deep in the Earth’s womb and this journey is a privileged opportunity to uncover its beauty, not only from an aesthetical point of view. It is also a chance to taste the delicious lardo still produced following ancient methods in Colonnata and to admire the marble sculptures in the streets of Pietrasanta.

Five half-days marble workshop.

BORN TO RUN

By Paolo Giacobatti

Italy is famous for engineering and design. In the industrialised north, from Turin to Milan and all the way to Bologna innovations developed initially for agriculture and industries became the beating heart of a flourishing industry of beautiful and fast cars and motorcycles.
Enter the factories and the museums to admire old iconic cars such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Giulietta, the electric car presented in 1974 at the Ginevra Motor Show and learn about the innovation currently happening inside the companies currently producing in the so called Motor Valley, along the via Emilia such us as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Dallara, Pagani and Ducati.
This is a journey to discover how engines and details of the final product are built, visiting their laboratories andmuseums. Everything inside there changes quickly: and the car you see today, tomorrow will be different. Because it’s going to run faster.

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ELESTA CONSULTING srl | Via Guglielmo Silva 39, 20149 Milano | P.IVA 08551350963 | Capitale Sociale €10.000 i.v. | REA MI-2033122 | info@elestatravel.it
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