March 19 - April 1, 2026

Ceramics & Food in Italy with Jeff and Hinako Shapiro

We have just recently returned from a very successful 2025 Ceramic Tour to Italy. Now, we are planning for next year. We will have the opportunity to see Italy through the eyes of artists, artisans, and local people. We get to see wondrous art, old and contemporary ceramics, obscure churches with frescoes, while trying local cuisine and wines from various regions. We have streamlined the trip even more and upgraded accommodations where possible. We have a driver who stays with us once we leave Rome, allowing us to travel off the beaten path.

3 nights in Rome

• Forum Hotel with breakfast and 2 dinners

• Museum Day trip with driver to Hadrian’s Villa estate in Tivoli with picnic lunch

• Studio visits

• Entrance to church tile frescoes

3 nights in Orvieto

• Hotel Piccolomini with breakfast, 2 dinners, and 1 lunch

• Private vehicle to Orvieto

• Possible studio visit in Todi on the way to Orvieto

• Intimate guided tour of the Duomo by a dear friend/artist who grew up across from the Duomo

• Studio visit with lunch of artisanal food and wine in artist’s studio (14th century enclave)

• Cave tour beneath the 13th century hilltop town of Orvieto

2 nights in Spannocchia (near Siena)

• Spannocchia classic estate accommodation with breakfast and 2 dinners

• Private vehicle to Spannocchia; Tennant farm - now ecotourism site in nature where I built a kiln 20 years ago

• Day trip with driver to Siena and San Galgano

3 nights in Faenza

• Hotel Vittoria with breakfast, 2 dinners, and 1 lunch

• Private vehicle to Faenza, with a stop in Volterra to visit the Etruscan Museum

• Day trip with guide to Ravenna

• Intimate visit to the Carlo Zauli Museum with Matteo, the son of Carlo Zauli - One of the most respected and influential Italian ceramic artists of the 20th century

• Guided tour of Museum of International Ceramics 

2 nights in Bologna

• Hotel Orologio with breakfast, 1 dinner, and 1 lunch

• Private vehicle to Bologna

• Lunch on local food street in the old part of Bologna

• Visit to artisan’s studio

• Entrance to exhibitions and churches filled with tile frescoes

This is a small and intimate trip, so we will only be taking 6 people in 3 rooms; preferably either partners sharing rooms, or friends who already know each other.

Total Cost - $7,400 per person
and includes:

• All 4 star accommodations where available

• Private taxi/van after leaving Rome

• Breakfast every day

• 12 dinners or lunches, with limited drinks

• Entrance to museums

• Studio visits

Not included:

• Air Fare

• Meals and drinks other than listed

• Local taxis Transit from and to airports

• Travel insurance

Since we are limiting participants to 6 people, please email us ASAP to receive instructions for how to send your deposit and reserve a spot on the trip.

Contact Jeff and Hinako Shapiro with any questions at: jeffshapiro62@gmail.com