That perfume smell might be your future signature. In a historic Renaissance workshop in Florence, you learn how scents are built and then create your own custom-made perfume to take home.

I like the way the class mixes story and technique: you get an introduction to perfumery in Florence, then you follow expert guidance while blending from a kit of essences. The setting is special too, in an old-style shop and artisanal lab called Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone.

One thing to consider: one reviewer reported a surprise request for a passport photocopy after booking, and their appointment got cancelled when it was not provided. If you book, be ready to respond fast if paperwork questions pop up.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone puts you inside a real apothecary-style shop and hands-on lab.
• You create a custom fragrance from a kit of essences with guidance from a master perfumer.
• You leave with a take-home bottle: 30 ml of your personalized perfume.
• The lesson connects scent to Florence’s old world of apothecaries and alchemists, including figures tied to the city’s perfume tradition.
• The experience runs about 1 hour 30 minutes and keeps group size small (max 30 travelers), so you’re not just watching from the sidelines.

A Renaissance Lab in the Middle of Florence (Via Ghibellina)

This perfume-making workshop feels like a time machine with your hands on the controls. You meet at Via Ghibellina, then step into Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, described as both a store and an artisanal laboratory—so it’s not just a classroom. It’s the kind of place where old glassware and small labeled containers make you want to slow down and pay attention.

The atmosphere matters here. Florence is full of museums and photo stops, but this is different: it’s craft work inside a setting built for scent-making. You’re surrounded by the tools and materials used for perfume creation—rare glass pieces, ampules, and precious essences—so the experience lands in your senses, not just your ears.

The class also leans into the romance of the city’s perfume past. You’ll hear the story of perfumery in Florence and how it ties to Renaissance-era ideas of herbs, flowers, and fruits being part of medicine and healing. In other words, it’s not only about smelling good. It’s about understanding where fragrance ingredients came from and why they mattered.

Your Scent Lesson: How Perfume Is Actually Built

After you’re welcomed into the shop-and-lab space, the workshop focuses on what you’ll need to build a perfume that feels like you. The structure is simple: you start with context and then move into blending.

You’ll get an introduction to the history of perfumery in Florence. That matters because perfume isn’t one ingredient—it’s a system. In the old apothecary world, scent was tied to apothecaries and medicine, with herbs, flowers, and fruit-derived notes treated as purposeful materials, not just pleasant smells. Hearing that backdrop helps you understand why the instructor keeps talking about ingredient selection and balance.

Then comes the hands-on part: your master perfumer leads you through the art of perfume-making, including how to select ingredients and blend scents. This is where your nose and your judgment take over. Even if you’ve never blended anything before, the guidance is built for beginners, and the class experience is designed to keep you active rather than passive.

One review highlight is the instructor style. A past participant described the instructor as patient and kind, with a wealth of knowledge about customizing scents. Another noted that the instructor was engaging and made the blending process click. That combo—expert direction plus calm teaching—makes a big difference when you’re learning a skill you can’t instantly Google.

Your Custom Blend: Turning a Kit of Essences into a 30 ml Bottle

The best part of this workshop is also the most practical: you create something you can take home and wear. Your process ends with your very own unique custom-made perfume, created from a kit of essences. So you’re not just assembling a pre-made scent by following a checklist. You’re making choices based on fragrance blending.

You’ll work with the kit provided in the workshop. The guidance from the perfumer matters most at the “decision points”—when you’re choosing which notes to emphasize, balancing what you like, and adjusting your blend toward something that feels coherent rather than random. This is the difference between smelling individual ingredients and building a perfume formula.

At the end, you receive a 30 ml bottle of your personalized fragrance. That’s not a tiny souvenir vial. It’s a real bottle sized for everyday use, travel, gifts, or saving for special occasions.

If you’re the type who likes experiences where you can recreate the result later, this is also satisfying. Even if you don’t rebuild the exact formula again, you’ll leave with a better understanding of how fragrance layers work—and you’ll know what kinds of ingredients you personally gravitate toward.

Why This Workshop Feels Like Good Value at $29

Let’s talk value, not just cost. At $29, you’re paying for more than a short activity. The price covers a small-group tour in English, a welcome into the store and artisanal laboratory, an introduction to the history of perfumery in Florence, hands-on custom perfume creation, and the 30 ml bottle you take home.

For a creative workshop, the inclusion of the bottle is key. Many scent experiences are mostly demonstrations, or they involve extra charges once you decide what you like. Here, the personalized take-home perfume is part of the package, which makes the math feel fair.

The other value ingredient is the time. The class runs about 1 hour 30 minutes. That’s long enough to learn the process and make real choices, but short enough that it won’t eat your whole day. In a city where you’ll want time for sights, walking, and good meals, this fits nicely as a planned break.

Also, the small-group nature helps. The experience description notes intimate attention, and reviews support that vibe. When you’re learning scent blending, you benefit from being able to ask questions and get feedback rather than racing through the steps.

Getting There: Meeting on Via Ghibellina Without a Pickup

This is an easy workshop to plan because it starts and ends at the meeting point. The start location is Via Ghibellina, 190, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy, and the tour ends back there. There’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll want to build your own route to the meeting spot.

That sounds obvious, but it’s worth highlighting for Florence travelers. You’ll likely be walking or taking a short ride to get to the historic center. Since the workshop keeps you local to one place, it’s a good choice if you want a predictable, low-transport hassle day.

One practical tip: arrive early enough to find the right storefront and settle in. The experience is about scent work, and once you’re in the lab environment, you don’t want to be rushed at the start.

Also, you’ll get a mobile ticket, so have your phone ready. A quick check at the beginning can save you stress if you’re meeting close to appointment time.

Small-Group Flow: What a Max 30 Traveler Limit Changes

The group size is capped at 30 travelers. That cap matters because it can keep the experience feeling more interactive instead of purely observational. Even with a limit that sounds large on paper, a one-and-a-half-hour workshop format often keeps things moving at a personal pace.

You’re guided through ingredient selection, blending, and final perfume creation. That kind of work goes better when the instructor can see what everyone is doing and correct small issues. Based on the tone of past reviews, the instructors bring patience and guidance, not just a quick rundown.

So if you want a workshop where you actually create and not just watch, this format is the right kind of structure. It’s also a good fit for people who want a hands-on souvenir that doesn’t feel generic.

Who This Florence Perfume Workshop Suits Best

This is ideal if you fall into any of these categories:

• You love fragrance and want to understand how perfumes are constructed, not just which bottle looks pretty.
• You want a creative Florence activity that feels different from gallery-only days.
• You enjoy small-group, guided making experiences where you can ask questions.
• You’d like a take-home gift that’s personal—your own custom scent, not a mass-produced spray.

It also works well as a date idea or a friend activity, because you’ll talk about your scent choices while you blend. The workshop invites conversation naturally: what you like, what you’re adjusting, and what direction your perfume is taking.

If you’re someone who dislikes hands-on crafts, or you’re hoping for a lecture-only history experience, you might find this more active than you expected. This workshop is built around making something with your own selections.

One Thing to Watch: Passport Copy Issues

Here’s the only real red flag from the feedback you provided: one participant said their booking was later cancelled because the operator requested an actual photocopy of their passport, even though they felt it wasn’t stated clearly during booking. They also said they didn’t get a straightforward explanation when they asked why the photocopy was needed.

I can’t confirm whether this is common or whether it happens only in certain situations, but it’s a enough of a snag that you should prepare. If you book, do two things:

• When you receive confirmation, check the instructions closely for document requirements.
• If anything about copies comes up, respond quickly so you don’t get stuck with last-minute issues.

For most people, the experience likely runs smoothly. Still, in a city full of tight schedules, paperwork surprises can ruin your plan faster than you’d think.

Should You Book This Perfume-Making Workshop in Florence?

I’d book this if you want a hands-on Florence experience with a real take-home payoff. The 30 ml bottle is a strong reason on its own, and the workshop format means you’re not just learning about perfume—you’re making it. If you like the idea of blending scents under expert guidance inside an apothecary-style setting, this is a very practical way to spend 90 minutes in Florence.

I’d hesitate if document requirements make you nervous, or if you’re the type who hates last-minute admin. The passport photocopy complaint is the only major “watch out” item in what you shared, so treat it seriously, not casually. Also, since there’s no hotel pickup, plan to handle getting to Via Ghibellina on your own.

If your schedule is flexible, you also have peace of mind: the experience offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That’s a helpful safety net if something changes.

FAQ

How long is the perfume-making workshop?

The workshop runs about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start in Florence?

It starts at Via Ghibellina, 190, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.

Do I get a bottle to take home?

Yes. You receive a 30 ml bottle of your personalized perfume at the end of the workshop.

Is the tour in English?

Yes. The tour is in English.

Is this a small-group experience?

Yes. It is a small-group tour, and the maximum group size is 30 travelers.

What’s included in the price?

Included are the small-group English tour, welcome into Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone and its artisanal laboratory, an introduction to the history of perfumery in Florence, the creation of your custom perfume from a kit of essences, and the 30 ml bottle you take home.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.

If you tell me your travel dates and whether you’re traveling solo or with someone, I can help you figure out where this fits best in a Florence day plan.