Across southern Italy, the centuries-old tradition of elaborate presepi (nativity scenes) is a distinctive and enduring expression of the region’s artistic and devotional culture. Among the most renowned nativity traditions are the lavish and theatrical tableaux from Naples, which depict an entire cross section of Neapolitan life alongside familiar biblical characters.

Artisans of Leisure takes travelers to the studios of renowned artisans who make nativity scenes in Naples, Puglia and Sicily.

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Italy is renowned for its rich heritage of traditional crafts, including leatherwork, ceramics, goldsmithing, bookbinding, perfume making, glassmaking and marbled paper.  Artisans of Leisure arranges for our travelers to visit historic workshops and enjoy hands-on private lessons in traditional crafts such as marbled paper.

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We recently returned from another wonderful trip through Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, a veritable storehouse of traditional Japanese culture, fantastic food, high-quality crafts, historic architecture and beautiful gardens.

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