JOIN JOHN GRADY BURNS in Italy!

You’ll be based in a beautifully preserved medieval hilltop village, where history and charm set the stage for creativity. Under John Grady’s guidance, you’ll discover his distinct approach to floral design—complete with his most effective strategies, techniques, and insider tips. Beyond the workshop, you’ll savor exceptional local cuisine, delight in thoughtfully curated experiences, and immerse yourself in breathtaking scenery at every turn. This isn’t just a workshop—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime journey filled with beauty, inspiration, and unforgettable moments.

ABOUT John Grady Burns

John Grady is a Natchez, Mississippi native and graduate of Mississippi State University, where he studied under Professor Emeritus Ralph Null. His early career included floral design for the White House, embassies, and dignitaries in Washington, D.C.

Over the past three decades, John Grady has become as well known for his teaching as for his event work. He taught floral design for 13 years at Kennesaw State University and another 10 years at Halls Atlanta Floral Design School. In addition, he has led workshops and demonstrations across the country, from garden clubs and symposia to private classes at his shop, Hal Garner at Nest, in downtown Natchez. For ten years, John Grady also taught on Spring Island, South Carolina, offering hands-on sessions in gardening, floral design, foraging, and more.

A four-time author, including Personally Yours and Evergreen, John Grady continues to inspire through lectures, seminars, and programs nationwide. He is on the national speakers list for the Garden Club of America and is an active member of several garden clubs in Natchez.

HIGHLIGHTS Of the Workshop…

• Discover the art of bespoke floral design, where you’ll develop your own natural interpretation of beauty.
• Work with fresh spring flowers, learning how to let each bloom guide you to its most striking placement.
• Experiment with natural armatures and creative structures, blending organic forms with professional techniques.
• Embrace sustainable practices, exploring beautiful alternatives to floral foam that allow flowers to thrive in water.
• Create inspired everyday designs, along with special personal florals for weddings and events.
• Explore flowers to wear, carry, and share — from delicate pieces to bouquets and gifts.
• Build a seasonal floral arch, a showpiece that can be tailored to any time of year.

✨ This isn’t just a workshop in design — it’s a chance to create beauty that feels both personal and timeless!

WHO Should Attend

• flower enthusiasts and hobbyists
• beginning floral designers
• experienced floral designers
• event planners
• wedding planners
• lifestyle bloggers
• design enthusiasts
• photographers
• anyone who wants to improve their floral design skills

ITINERARY

Day 1, April 6: Arrival 

• Highlights: Arrival, welcome and overview with John Grady, village tour
• Dinner

Upon arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, you’ll be greeted by our private drivers and transported to the rolling hills of central Italy. Your home for the next few days is a charming boutique hotel in the unspoiled medieval village of Città della Pieve. After checking in and taking a little time to settle, you’ll gather with John Grady for a workshop introduction before setting out on a guided stroll through the historic heart of the village.

As evening falls, savor a sunset aperitivo, followed by a welcome dinner crafted by Chef Jordy—a perfect beginning to your Italian journey.

Day 2, April 7: Floral Class & Flower Farm

• Highlights: organic flower gardens, onsite instruction with John Grady
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll journey with our drivers through the rolling hills of Tuscany to Puscina Flower Farm, a family-run paradise devoted to organic flower growing. Here, John Grady will share his insights into the artistry of floral design with a special demonstration, inspiring you to see the blooms in a whole new way. You’ll then enjoy a guided exploration of the gardens—home to hundreds of flower varieties—before gathering your own stems to work with later. A farm-fresh lunch, featuring seasonal Tuscan ingredients, will be served beneath the shade of an ancient olive tree.

In the afternoon, return to the studio for a hands-on workshop with John Grady, creating beautiful compositions from the flowers you personally selected. The day concludes in true Italian style, with an aperitivo and light dinner at a warm and welcoming local café.

Day 3, April 8: Floral Class & Pasta Class

• Highlights: instruction with John Grady, pasta-making with Cristian
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll join John in the studio for a session focused on sustainable alternatives to floral foam. John Grady will introduce both natural and professional armatures, followed by a demo to spark inspiration. You’ll then put your new knowledge into practice, creating a design with the mechanics of your choice. At midday, enjoy a relaxed lunch at a local café.

In the afternoon, John Grady will guide you through creating a hand bouquet, a versatile design that can also be placed in a vase. Later, we’ll stroll to our friend Cristian’s welcoming bistrot for a lively pasta-making lesson, rolling and shaping your own handmade pasta. Afterwards, sit down together for a convivial dinner featuring your creations, paired with local wines.

Day 4, April 9: Floral Class & Church Art Tour

• Highlights: Churches & Renissance art tour, instruction with John Grady
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a guided walking tour of Città della Pieve, with visits to its historic churches and remarkable works of art. Late morning, return to the studio where John Grady will introduce the many possibilities of wearable flowers—from shoulders and wrists to shoes. Following his demo, you’ll create your own unique wearable designs.

At midday, gather for lunch at a local café, before heading back to the studio for an afternoon of creative exploration. This session is designer’s choice: a chance to refine a technique, revisit a favorite design, or let your imagination run free, with John Grady available for guidance and personalized instruction.

As evening falls, enjoy a warm aperitivo in a private home, before heading to a lively pizzeria for a casual dinner together.

Day 5, April 10: Installation & Celebration

• Highlights: instruction with John Grady, arch installation
• Breakfast, dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll join John Grady in the studio before moving on to a specially selected site, where he will guide you in creating a structural floral design on an architectural element—a chance to think big and bring flowers into dialogue with form and space.

Midday is free for a leisurely lunch on your own, with time to enjoy the cafés and trattorie of Città della Pieve.

In the afternoon, return to the site for last-minute touch-ups, followed by a photo shoot to capture your finished creations. The workshop culminates with a celebratory farewell dinner, a festive evening to toast your artistry, new skills, and the memories made together in Italy.

Day 6, April 11: Departure 

Early morning transport to Rome Fiumicino Airport. 

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Daily group and individualized instruction and demonstrations with John Grady Burns
• 5 nights at Boutique Hotel Vannucci in Città della Pieve
• Private transportation to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport on arrival and departure days
• Private transportation to/from all towns and sites in the itinerary
• Daily breakfasts
• 3 lunches
• 5 dinners, featuring regional specialties and local wines
• Use of vessels, cutters, styling tools, and props throughout the workshop
• Pasta-making lesson
• Aperitivo in a private home
• Pizza night!
• Styled photo shoot with a local photographer
• Opportunities for shopping and exploring on your own
• Daily accompaniment by a Strada Toscana host or guide
• 🌟 BONUS! Each student will receive a copy of one of John Grady’s design books!

Not included: Airfare, trip insurance, transportation outside of that listed in the trip itinerary, alcoholic drinks or meals ordered “on your own”, gratuities for drivers and hotel 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. ☺️

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 Photo Gallery

DATES & DETAILS:

• Dates: April 6-11, 2026
• Trip Price: $3,795-$4,295 USD
• Room Descriptions (Note that all rooms include A/C, free WIFI, safe & hairdryer):
  • Single Standard: 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
  • Superior Double/Twin Occupancy: Double bed or two singles, private ensuite bathroom with tub/shower combination
  • Deluxe Double/Twin Occupancy: Double bed or two singles, private ensuite bathroom with separate tub and shower
• A $700 deposit is required to reserve your space
• View our terms and cancellation policy

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