Butter & Blossoms ~ A Secret Garden in Tuscany, March 24-28, 2026

A SECRET GARDEN IN TUSCANY ~ Chocolate Sculpture Painting

Join Tanaporn Vilailaks (Kwun) of Butter & Blossoms (known for her incredible, romantic cake artistry brand) as you explore floral designs using chocolate cream and palette knives. You’ll turn a cake into edible art, with timeless elegance and beauty, in this all-inclusive workshop in Italy!

Inspired by the charm of Tuscany, this experience brings to life the vision of a secret garden hidden within rolling hills and rustic stone houses. No matter the season, colorful blooms spill from wooden window boxes, cascading down ancient stone walls. Sunflowers and lavender sway in the gentle breeze, creating a dreamlike setting where flowers are always in full bloom.

In this three-day workshop, you’ll begin by learning Kwun’s basic techniques and simple flowers, as you build your confidence and refine your skills. As you progress, Kwun will teach you her amazing techniques for creating intricate designs with layered petals and fine details. Step by step, you will master the art of crafting a beautiful, sophisticated cake that captures the very essence of Tuscany’s timeless beauty.

Note that photos show the design intended for the lesson, but the final project may vary based on each student’s individual skill level. 

ABOUT Kwun

Tanaporn Vilailaks (Kwun) is a cake decoration artist and instructor, based at her own Butter & Blossoms studio in Bangkok, Thailand.

In 2017, Kwan began teaching buttercream painting by using palette knives – an art form for which she is my passionate. Using ordinary buttercream or chocolate cream, she creates 2D and 3D artwork on cakes that she refers to as “sculpture painting”, inspired by her love for flowers.

Over the years, Kwun developed her amazing techniques by using many different media, such as chocolate cream, to create virtually any type of beautiful flowers for cake decoration. In addition to hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, she has taught many workshops in Bangkok, as well as internationally.

WHAT YOU’LL Learn & Experience

  • How to properly prepare chocolate cream
  • Introduction to Kwun’s palette knife types and their uses
  • Demonstration of basic strokes and pressure control
  • Specific techniques for crafting beautiful petals
  • Hands-on practice of varied techniques for petal formation
  • Layering techniques that add dimension
  • Composition techniques for arranging flowers on cakes
  • Petal layering techniques for realistic flower texture
  • Use of palette knives to create delicate petal edges and detailed textures
  • Practice of color gradient, blending within the petals
  • Advanced color techniques to add depth and realism to each flower
  • Adding leaves and accents for a complete floral look
  • Photo session to capture completed creations
  • Recap and feedback, certificate of completion awarded by Kwun

CLASS Details

  • Duration: 3-day intensive workshop
  • Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate
  • Medium & Tools: chocolate cream & pallete knives
  • Flower Creation List: roses, wisteria, tulips, sunflowers, daffodils, iris, lavender, berries – plus greenery, and rustic house
  • Cake Setup: Three-tier dummy cake
  • Demonstrations: Kwun’s exclusive flower techniques plus how to prepare chocolate cream for optimal texture and consistency in floral decoration

DAILY SCHEDULE Overview

Day 1: Tuesday – March 24

  • Group pick-up Rome Fiumicino Airport
  • Welcome to Città della Pieve
  • Workshop overview with Kwun
  • Dinner by Chef Jordy

Day 2: Wednesday – March 25

  • Breakfast
  • Studio with Kwun
  • Lunch Mon Cafe
  • Studio wit Kwun
  • Food tour (i.e. walking dinner with wine pairing)

Day 3: Thursday – March 26

  • Breakfast
  • Studio with Kwun
  • Lunch Antica Cafe Matucci
  • Studio with Kwun
  • Church art walking tour
  • Pizza night!

Day 4: Friday – March 27

  • Breakfast
  • Studio with Kwun
  • Lunch on your own
  • Studio with Kwun
  • Farewell dinner prepared by Chef Jordy

Day 5: Saturday – March 28

  • Early morning departure to Rome Fiumicino Airport

ACCOMMODATIONS Boutique Hotel Vannucci

Hotel Vannucci began as a project of Vittoria Spinola, daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele II, who fled Pisa (and an arranged marriage with her elderly husband) to start a new life with her lover in Città della Pieve. Here, she and her soon-to-be new husband, Paolo, built two villas that became luxurious holiday accommodations for wealthy Romans vacationing in the countryside. In 1903 one of the villas became Hotel Vannucci, and today it maintains the elegance and refinement of its inception, with luxurious sleeping rooms, marble bathrooms and inviting gardens. A stay here is truly special, nestled just outside the medieval walls of the historic, and unspoiled, village of Città della Pieve.

VIEW the Photo Gallery

TRIP Inclusions

  • 4 night stay at Boutique Hotel Vannucci
  • Private group transportation to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport on arrival and departure days
  • All breakfasts
  • 3 delicious lunches
  • 4 delectable dinners
  • Daily accompaniment and support by onsite team of Strada Toscana
  • Entrance fees to all sites included in trip itinerary
  • Daily instruction with Kwun in a dedicated studio space

Not included: Airfare, ground or water transportation outside of that listed in the trip itinerary, alcoholic drinks, wines or meals ordered “on your own”, gratuities for drivers and staff

The Unexpected is Part of the Journey: Sometimes unexpected things come up. If there is unscheduled closing or schedule change, we carefully pivot to include something that is equally as wonderful and interesting, so that the quality of your experience is never at risk. ☺️

DATES and Details

  • Dates:
    • March 24-28, 2026
  • Trip Price: 
    • $3,295 USD – $3,795 USD per person (select room type upon booking)
  • Room Descriptions:
    • Single: Single occupancy, single bed, private ensuite bathroom
    • Classic: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
    • Superior: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with tub/shower combination
    • Deluxe: Double occupancy, double bed or two singles, private ensuite bathroom with tub and shower (specifically for couples or friends traveling together)
  • A $700 deposit is required to secure your space on this workshop
  • Arrival/departure airport is Rome Fiumicino
  • See our Terms and Cancellation Policy

BOOK NOW