One hour and a sniff later, you own perfume. In the heart of Florence, you blend scents in a real artisanal workshop at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, then walk out with a fragrance tailored to you. I love the hands-on mixing part, and I also love that you leave with a 30ml bottle plus a formula you can reference later.

One heads-up: this class asks you to travel light. There’s no luggage or large bags allowed, and the accessibility notes are a bit mixed (the info says wheelchair accessible, but it also says not suitable for wheelchair users), so plan around that before you book.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group (up to 10) means you get time to smell, ask, and re-check choices.
• Central Florence location inside Antica Spezieria San Simone makes it feel like an old craft stop, not a tourist show.
• You build a custom scent from different essences, with guidance as you decide what fits you.
• You take home 30ml, plus the formula and certificate tied to your blend.
• Coffee break included (coffee, tea, or water) while your perfume gets prepared.
• Italian/English instruction keeps the process clear even if you’re not fluent.

Antica Spezieria San Simone: a classic perfumery inside Florence

If you want one Florence activity that isn’t another church dome or another line for a museum ticket, this is it. The setting is Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, a traditional-style shop where the craft feels built into the walls. You’re not just watching from a chair. You’re doing the work—smelling notes, making decisions, and turning those choices into a finished bottle.

The location matters. Being in the center of Florence means you can pair this with other stroll time the same day. You also get a sense of place: perfume here isn’t treated like a generic souvenir. It’s treated like a skill that locals have kept alive.

One practical detail: you’ll want to bring a camera. There’s no mention of needing fancy gear, but you’ll likely want photos of your bottle setup and the shop’s working area.

What happens when you arrive: the master perfumer introduction

The class starts with you meeting your instructor and being guided through the process. You’ll hear about the history of perfume making in Florence, and the teaching style is designed to connect the story to what you’re doing with your nose.

This part is worth paying attention to because it changes how you choose scents. Instead of picking random “pretty smells,” you learn the logic behind blending—why certain notes work together and how the final perfume becomes more than the sum of its parts.

You’re also working with a real professional-led structure. The session includes a master perfumer instructor who guides you through combining different aromas and delicate notes from the essence kit. The goal is not to rush you toward a guess. The goal is to help you reach something that fits your taste.

Smell, pick, and blend: how you craft your signature fragrance

This is the core of the experience, and it’s more interactive than you might expect. You’ll smell a range of aromas and then build a fragrance that’s personalized to you. The master perfumer helps you combine different scents into a finished perfume, using a kit of various essences.

Here’s what I think you’ll enjoy most: the choices feel personal, not academic. You don’t need perfume training to make progress. You just need patience and a willingness to compare smells side by side.

Also, the class uses a step-by-step approach. That matters because perfume is sensitive—small changes can shift how something smells on skin. You’ll be guided through the blending process so your final result matches the combination you aimed for, not just the initial sniff.

A small timing note that helps you

The session is 1.5 hours. That’s long enough to choose, blend, and have time for a break, but it’s not so long that the experience drifts. Expect a focused flow: learn → smell → decide → create → collect.

The history lesson: why Renaissance-era perfumery isn’t just trivia

Florence has always been serious about scents, and this masterclass uses that context in a way that helps you make better choices. You’ll hear about perfumery traditions tied to the city, including references to Renaissance-era master alchemists such as René le Florentin, the personal perfumer of Catherine de Medici.

But the value isn’t just the story. The history helps you understand that perfume-making is a craft with rules. You’re learning a framework for combining aromas, not just getting a craft souvenir.

If you’re the type who usually skips “history bits,” give this one a chance anyway. The lesson supports the practical blending you do afterward. It turns the class from random mixing into something that feels intentional.

Coffee break and shop time: a real reset, not a rushed pause

While your perfume is being prepared, you get a coffee break with coffee, tea, or water. In a class like this, a pause is smart. Your nose gets tired. Your brain needs a reset so you can judge smells with more clarity.

This is also when the workshop vibe becomes part of the experience. The setting is an artisanal shop, so you may have time to notice details in the space and look at other scent options inside the store (without it turning into a hard sell).

A practical tip for comfort

Street noise can travel into central shops, so if you’re easily distracted, ask for a quieter setup while instruction happens. A calmer room helps you focus on what you’re smelling.

Your 30ml bottle, formula card, and certificate: bringing Florence home

Here’s a major reason this class feels like real value: you don’t leave empty-handed.

At the end, you collect:

• A 30ml bottle of your personalized fragrance
• Your formula (so you can recreate or reorder later)
• A certificate of your new skill

That formula piece is important. It turns the class into something lasting rather than a one-time souvenir. You’re not hoping you can recreate your blend from memory. You have a reference.

You also get your perfume in a size that feels substantial. And because the bottle includes the formula, you can think of it as your own signature “Florence scent,” not just a novelty.

If you’re planning to wear this as a travel reminder, 30ml is plenty for months of use. If you’re gifting, the personalized aspect makes it feel thoughtful even if the recipient isn’t a big perfume person.

Price and value check: is $82 fair for a custom perfume class?

$82 per person for a 1.5-hour masterclass can sound steep until you compare it to what you’d pay for a similar bottle in a store. The big value driver here is what’s included in your price.

You’re paying for:

• A guided perfume-making session with a master perfumer
• A custom blend created through the class process
• A 30ml bottle of what you make
• The formula and a certificate
• A coffee break

In practical terms, you’re buying both a lesson and a finished product. That’s different from paying for a perfume workshop where you only get a tiny sample.

Also, because the group size is limited to 10, your time isn’t disappearing into a crowd. The class has a “you’re doing it with guidance” feel, which is part of why it’s priced like a real workshop instead of a quick activity.

Timing, packing, and what to expect in the 1.5 hours

Plan for a clean, light start. You’ll need to follow the rule about no luggage or large bags. If you’re doing this on a travel day, keep your daypack small. Otherwise you’ll waste time figuring out where things can go.

What to bring is simple:

• A camera (mentioned as what you should bring)

Nothing else is listed, so don’t show up with a suitcase and hope it works out.

Because the class is only 1.5 hours, you’ll want to treat it like a scheduled appointment. Build it into your day when you can focus. You’ll be selecting scents, so you’ll get more out of it if you’re not rushing to catch a tour bus right afterward.

Language and clarity

Instruction is available in Italian and English. If you feel like you’re losing the thread, ask for clarification as the process moves along. The class is designed to be guided, so questions should be part of it.

Who should book this Florence perfume masterclass (and who might not)

This class is a great fit if you want:

• A hands-on activity that leads to something you can use at home
• A break from museum-heavy sightseeing
• A fun shared experience for couples and friends
• Something that feels creative without requiring any prior skill

It’s also a nice option if you’re picky about scents. You’ll be able to compare notes and craft a blend that matches your preferences rather than buying what looks good in a bottle.

When to reconsider

If you rely on wheelchair access, double-check the notes. The activity info includes a wheelchair accessibility statement, but it also explicitly says not suitable for wheelchair users. That contradiction is enough that you should confirm directly before booking.

Should you book this Florence perfume masterclass?

I’d book it if you want a Florence souvenir that feels personal and usable. The biggest selling points are the 30ml takeaway, the formula and certificate, and the small-group, guided blending that turns smelling into creating.

I’d skip it only if you need an activity that’s easy with bulky luggage or if your mobility needs don’t match the provided accessibility notes. If those points are fine, this is one of the more memorable, practical ways to take Florence home—literally, in liquid form.

FAQ

How long is the Florence perfume masterclass?

It lasts 1.5 hours.

What do I take home after the class?

You take home a 30 ml bottle of your personalized perfume. You also receive a certificate and a formula for your blend.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes the perfume masterclass with a master perfumer instructor, your personalized perfume bottle (30 ml), and a coffee break (coffee, tea, or water).

Where is the meeting point?

The class takes place at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone in Florence.

What languages do the instructors speak, and is it a large group?

Instruction is in Italian and English, and the group is limited to 10 participants.

What should I bring, and can I bring luggage?

You should bring a camera. Luggage or large bags are not allowed.

Is this activity wheelchair accessible?

The info includes both a wheelchair accessible note and a note stating it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Because of this mismatch, confirm with the operator before booking.

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