Florence can be loud, but this class turns the volume down and turns your senses on. I loved making my own fragrance step-by-step at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, then walking out with a real 30ml bottle built from my choices. The history bits also feel practical, not dusty, tying Renaissance perfumery to the scents you’re smelling in real time. One small consideration: the shop sits in the center of Florence, so if the front door is open, you may hear some street noise during parts of the instruction.

This is a 90-minute hands-on masterclass for small groups (up to 10), taught in Italian and English. You’ll start with a guided scent education, then move into selection and blending, and you’ll leave with a finished bottle plus the formula and a certificate for your new skill.

Quick hits from the scent counter

• A real workshop feel inside an historic Florence perfumery in the city center
• Learn by smelling a range of essences, then build a fragrance that fits you
• Renaissance-era stories like René le Florentin and Catherine de Medici’s court perfumer
• You take it home: 30ml bottle, formula, and a certificate
• Small group pacing with room to compare notes and adjust your blend
• Optional chemist assistance may be available if you want extra help with the final measuring

Antica Spezieria San Simone: old Florence, bottled into perfume

The whole experience begins with the setting: Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone sits right in the heart of Florence, so you get that satisfying contrast between cobblestone bustle outside and focused scent work inside. This kind of place isn’t a themed room built for tourists. It feels like a working shop where the product has a story, and that changes how the class lands. You’re not just doing a craft activity. You’re stepping into a culture of perfume making.

What I like is how the workshop stays practical. You’re not asked to memorize perfume theory first, then smell later. Instead, the scents come first, and the explanations wrap around what you’re already experiencing. Even people who don’t think of themselves as perfume people tend to get pulled in because your choices are immediate: you smell, you compare, you pick what you like, and you watch that preference turn into a formula.

One more nice detail: the masterclass is short—about 1.5 hours—and that’s a sweet spot. It’s long enough to feel the creative arc, but not so long that you start losing patience with the small decisions (note selection can be harder than it sounds).

The 90-minute flow: history lesson, scent pyramid choices, then blending

The class structure generally follows a simple rhythm: introduction and history, smelling and note selection, blending your fragrance, then finishing and bottling.

First, you meet your instructor (they work in Italian and English). The teaching starts with the traditions of perfumery in Florence and why scent craft matters here. You’ll hear stories connected to the Renaissance era, including mentions of René le Florentin and the perfumery culture around Catherine de Medici. I find this matters because it gives your nose a context. When you know perfume making has roots beyond modern branding, you pay closer attention to the way the notes interact.

Next comes the sensory part: you’re guided through combining scents using an organized kit of essences. The goal is not to create something “perfect.” It’s to create something you actually want to wear (or gift). You’ll be balancing different kinds of aromas—some are delicate, some are stronger—and your choices are where the experience becomes personal.

Then you shift from sniffing to forming the blend. You’ll be guided through the process, and you’ll end up with a fragrance designed for your selections. The class isn’t rushed. People also describe it as relaxed, with time to make decisions rather than being pushed to pick fast.

Finally, there’s the wrap-up: your perfume gets bottled, along with its formula and a certificate marking your new skill.

Smelling like a pro: how the essences work in real time

Perfume can feel mysterious until someone turns it into a series of choices. In this class, you learn how to combine scents using the essences you’re provided, and that changes how you shop for fragrances afterward. Instead of buying based on marketing names, you start recognizing your own preferences: what you like on first sniff, what lingers, and what feels too intense when mixed.

The class also helps you understand why “one scent” rarely makes a good perfume on its own. Perfumery is about blending different notes so the final smell has both character and balance. When you smell a strong essence next to something lighter, you quickly get the point of the mix. It’s not about picking favorites in isolation. It’s about getting the balance right for your nose.

You’ll likely spend time comparing scents you didn’t think you’d choose at first. That’s one of the underrated benefits here: the instructor guides you, but you’re still making the calls. If you want something softer, you’ll learn which notes typically pull the fragrance in that direction. If you want something bolder, you’ll learn how to avoid overdoing the heavy hitters.

One extra option you might run into: some participants mention choosing whether to have the chemist finalize the measuring once they’ve decided on the combination. That’s useful if you’d like the creative control, with less pressure on exact steps. If you prefer to do everything yourself, you can ask what’s possible in your session.

The coffee break that actually makes sense

You don’t sit there hungry for 90 minutes. A coffee break is included (coffee, tea, or water), and it’s timed like a breather between the sensory selection and the final bottling phase.

This matters more than it sounds. When you’re doing scent work, you’re also mentally “working.” A quick pause helps you come back to the scents with fresher perspective. If you’ve ever tried to pick out perfumes while tired or distracted, you know how easy it is to pick the wrong thing for your mood.

Practical tip: sip water during breaks if you can. It helps keep your sense of smell steady while you’re moving between aromas.

What you take home: 30ml perfume plus formula and certificate

This is a major reason the class feels like good value. You leave with a 30ml bottle of your personalized fragrance, not a tiny sample size you’ll forget in a drawer. The bottle also comes with the formula for future reference, plus a certificate that ties to your finished perfume.

Why that matters: perfume changes with time, and having the formula means you’re not stuck trying to recreate the same scent from memory. If you love it, you can return to the recipe later and keep the vibe consistent. If you gift it, you can explain what you chose and why it works.

There’s also a real souvenir factor here. People like having something tied directly to their day in Florence, and perfume is one of those items that feels personal. Even if you’re not planning to wear it daily, you’ll remember the scent choices you made and what they felt like in the moment.

One more detail from the experience flow: your finished perfume may require a short rest period before it reaches its best expression. Plan to judge it after some time rather than immediately.

Price and value: does $82 buy a fun story or a real product

At $82 per person for about 1.5 hours, this class can feel like a splurge if you’re only looking for an activity. But it changes category when you treat it as part workshop, part retail purchase. You’re paying for instruction, materials, and the finished 30ml bottle you take home.

One helpful way to think about value is replacement cost. If you’ve ever priced a solid fragrance in Italy, you know that a 30ml bottle isn’t cheap. The fact that the class includes a full bottle plus the formula makes the math easier to swallow for many people.

Also, the group size cap (limited to 10 participants) helps keep it from feeling like a production line. The smaller the group, the more likely you’ll get real guidance during your note choices. That’s where the class turns from a novelty into a craft experience you’ll actually use.

Who this masterclass fits best (and who might rethink it)

I think this is ideal if you want something different from the usual Florence pattern of museums and churches. It’s also a great option if you love craft, scents, or gifts that are personal and not mass-produced.

It’s especially good for:

• Couples looking for a shared activity that still ends with something individual
• Friends who want a calm, creative break in the middle of a busy itinerary
• Adult families (including older teens) who can follow instructions and enjoy hands-on selection
• Perfume beginners who want a guided first step without feeling overwhelmed

Here’s the consideration: this is scent-forward. If you’re sensitive to strong smells or you get headaches from aroma-heavy spaces, you’ll want to take it slow and communicate with your instructor.

Also, there’s some accessibility info you should treat carefully. The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it’s also marked not suitable for wheelchair users. If wheelchair access matters for you, contact the operator directly before booking so you can confirm what will work in your specific session.

Practical tips before you go (so you can enjoy it)

A few small moves can make the experience smoother.

• Bring a camera (it’s specifically suggested). You’ll want photos of the workshop and your final bottle.
• Skip large bags and luggage. They’re not allowed, so travel light on this stop.
• Wear something with a neutral smell. If your clothes or hair are heavily perfumed already, it can affect how new scents read.
• If you’re unsure about notes, lean on the instructor’s guidance early. Your first “gut choice” might shift once you compare notes side-by-side.
• Give yourself time afterward. You’ll leave with a new scent and it’s fun to test it later once your day calms down.

If street noise bothers you, consider asking whether the door can be kept more controlled during instruction. A couple of people specifically flagged that the front area can pick up Florence street sounds.

Should you book this Florence perfume masterclass?

Yes, I’d book it if you want a creative Florence experience that ends with something tangible: your own 30ml perfume, the formula, and a certificate. It’s also a strong pick if you enjoy hands-on learning and want context for what you’re smelling, not just a quick demo.

I’d think twice if you’re highly scent-sensitive or if you need clear confirmation about accessibility for your situation. In all other cases, this works as a memorable break from traditional sightseeing—one that uses your senses instead of your feet.

FAQ

How long is the Florence perfume masterclass?

It lasts about 1.5 hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the perfume masterclass in an artisanal laboratory, a master perfumer instructor, a take-home 30ml bottle of your personalized perfume (with its formula), and a coffee break (coffee, tea, or water).

How many people are in the class?

It’s a small group, limited to 10 participants.

What language is the instruction offered in?

The instructor offers the class in Italian and English.

What do I take home at the end?

You take home a 30ml bottle of your personalized perfume, along with its formula and a certificate of your new skill.

What should I bring or avoid bringing?

You should bring a camera. Large bags or luggage are not allowed.

Is it refundable if I change my plans?

Yes, free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.