7 Unique Artisan Experiences Around The World

Making a sword or knife in the Japanese tradition takes skill and artfulness. The Japanese sword, katana, has gained legendary status worldwide. The soul of the samurai is steeped in the katana, with master artisans continuing the arduous and skillful practice of crafting the iconic blades.

Samurai swords are uniquely Japanese. Made from quality materials with superior tools, they represent the zenith of handmade artistry. In Gifu Prefecture, visitors can not only witness a master sword-maker at work, but also craft their own blade under the trained eye of a Japanese government-certified swordsmith.

Learn more: Japan Tours

Armor became a way of life for knights in the Middle Ages, with suits personifying the strength, struggles, and honor of medieval warriors in Europe. Glinting in metal protecting their heads, arms, and legs, knights faced one another in battle and hand-to-hand combat.

Medieval Spanish armor remains a symbol of courtly love and brave warriors fighting for the Reconquista of Spain or royal guards venturing to the Crusades. Artisans in Spain continue in the steps of their fathers, shaping metal into armor and steel into swords in medieval Toledo.

Learn more: Spain Tours & Vacations

Italy is known for a cuisine that celebrates centuries, if not millennia, of gastronomic traditions. Pellegrino Artusi, a cooking school that was established in the late 19th century, carries on the traditions of its founder, Pellegrino Artusi.

Based on his cookbook, Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well, he is considered the father of the modern Italian kitchen. Like Dante Alighieri before him, the chef took a risk by publishing the book in Italian rather than the more common French, placing the spotlight on the mastery of Italian cuisine and its significance on the palate of the Western World.

Women in the Associazione delle Mariette educate students on the tradition and basic cooking methods needed to master Italian cuisine, from making fresh pasta to crafting the famous unleavened bread of the Emilia-Romagna region, known as piadina.

Learn more: Italy Tours • Popular Types of Pasta to Try in Italy on Vacation

When thinking of high-end, handmade Italian garments, your mind most likely wanders to Milan or the leather goods of Florence. However, the city of Naples has the world’s highest concentration of this type of menswear.

Naples offers a handful of shops renowned in the small but elegant menswear community for impressive craftsmanship and sophisticated, stylish threads designed with individual customers in mind.

Naples is no longer a secret destination for handmade fashion and while visiting tailors does not afford you the chance to learn the trade from the masters, taking the time to choose your preferred fabric and style, and stand for fittings, is an integral and insightful part of owning a personalized garment.

Learn more: Southern Italy

Chocolate has been a tradition in the French dessert zeitgeist since the wedding of Maria Theresa of Austria to King Louis XIII in the 17th century.

It became the flavor of the aristocracy before a small population of expelled Spanish-Jewish merchants built a community in South-West France offering the greater population a taste of the coveted cacao. Many confectioneries around France blend the pomp and taste of French chocolates, but the Chocolaterie de Puyricard finds strength in the cornerstones of tradition.

The chocolaterie has shunned mechanization for tastier handmade chocolates and their quality spills over into workshops in which guests can immerse themselves in the artistic world of master chocolatiers, who craft nougatine, caramels, fillings, dips, and sensational molds.

Learn more: France Tours & Vacations

Garuda statues and traditional paneling decorate the temples, museums, and houses on the Indonesian island of Bali. The iconic images feature legendary bird-like beings from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology, often connected to the Hindu god, Vishnu.

The Garuda has grown popular across Indonesia as a symbol of strength, the country’s coat of arms, and its national emblem, the Garuda Pancasila, which symbolizes the greatness of the island nation.

A private workshop in the heart of Bali brings the tradition of paneling and wood statues to life, with pieces standing multiple feet tall and crafted by a third-generation specialist. The studio contains handcrafted mythological sculptures and elegant Balinese furniture made from teak, jackfruit, and mahogany wood. The class provides an immersive experience of the art and sophisticated technique of woodcarving, with a view of lush rice paddies.

Learn more: Bali Vacations & Tours

The aboriginal nations of Australia are among the oldest cultures of people in the world, with fascinating traditions and secret customs shown only to community members. However, indigenous Anangu paintings have become educational, revealing stories, events, and ceremonial practices.

An exceptional lesson passes down the knowledge of generations, with strong connections to the land, cultural practices, and the ways in which locals keep their customs and people strong.

Your artwork not only serves as a memento of your time visiting the famous monolith at the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, it also teaches you to understand the ancient tools used in crafting the intricate symbols that share the stories of Creation Time, the Rainbow Serpent, and other legends precious to the Anangu.

Learn more: Australia Tours

Artisanal crafts inspire visitors from around the world to embrace preservation, a connection to past generations, and beauty in daily life. Discover the art experiences of Italy or embrace unforgettable cultural experiences.

From sword-making to chocolates, crafting noodles to exploring the depths of storytelling culture, a travel specialist with local knowledge can tailor any trip to your preferences to create your trip of a lifetime.