Reviewed · TOURS
Design your own Postcard of Rome – tour with artistic activity
A postcard you actually made in Rome. This is a small, hands-on drawing experience with Valentina that turns iconic sights into your own mail-ready artwork, with only a short walk (up to 1km) and plenty of time to sit and create.
I love that the class is built for real people, not art-school prodigies. You get a guided setup and a kit, and you also get to keep the notebook and postcards you create. The main thing to consider is that it depends on weather, since it runs outdoors.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance
- A 2-hour Rome sketch session that becomes a postcard
- The “design your postcard” part, what you actually do
- Rome walking distance, and why the sitting stops are a big deal
- What you keep: notebook and postcards, and why that changes the value
- The art kit: supplies included, and what they help with
- Seeing Rome while you draw, the landmarks angle
- Price and value: what you get for about $48
- Who this is perfect for, and who might want something else
- Practical tips before you go to Viale Madama Letizia
- Weather, group size, and the small-class feel
- Should you book this Rome postcard workshop?
- FAQ
- How long is the Design your own Postcard of Rome tour?
- Where does the tour start and end?
- Is there a lot of walking?
- Do I need to be good at drawing to join?
- What art supplies are included in the drawing kit?
- Can I keep the postcard and notebook I create?
- Are food or drinks included?
- How large is the group?
- Is it outdoors, and what happens in bad weather?
- Can I cancel for free?
Key highlights at a glance

- Small group setting capped at 10, so you get personal help instead of just watching
- All skill levels welcome, including total beginners who want an easy win
- Short, low-stress walking, max 1km, with stops where you can sit on benches or the ground
- Keep what you make, including both the postcards and the notebook
- Art supplies included, with multiple tools like wax crayons and colored pencils
- Outdoor Rome viewpoint time, so you draw while you actually look at the city
A 2-hour Rome sketch session that becomes a postcard
This tour is for travelers who want a break from checklists. Rome can feel like a nonstop sprint, even if you love it. Here, you slow down on purpose and turn what you see into something tangible you can send home, or keep as a souvenir.
It is also a good reminder that you do not need to be good at drawing to enjoy art. The whole point is comfort and momentum. Valentina’s teaching style leans practical and supportive, with lots of guidance on what to do next, how to place lines, and how to choose colors that make your subject readable.
You are outside the whole time, and that matters. Drawing on location forces you to pay attention to angles and details you would otherwise blur past. In the process, you end up with a postcard that feels personal because it is literally your view of Rome.
The structure is simple: a short walk, a place to sit, then drawing and coloring. You keep your materials when you’re done, which makes the price easier to justify than another generic souvenir.
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The “design your postcard” part, what you actually do

The activity is built around one big idea: you will create a postcard illustration using your own hand, with direction along the way.
Here is what that tends to look like in practice. First, you start with a short orientation and a bit of guidance on how to approach the subject you’re drawing. Then you move slowly, not far, to a spot where you can sit comfortably. From there you sketch, layer color, and refine your work until it looks like something recognizable.
You will have a drawing kit in your hands, so you can focus on the process instead of shopping for supplies. The kit includes postcards, a notebook, and different types of colors. Depending on what you choose to use, that can include wax crayons, colored pencils, and pencil. The mix is important because it lets you switch styles as you go, which is especially helpful if you feel stuck.
A key detail: Valentina guides you personally. That is not vague encouragement, it is hands-on advice to help you get results at your level. Multiple people have described her as patient and flexible, and that shows up in how she adapts suggestions to what you can do in the moment. If you can only manage basic lines, you still end up with something that reads as a real postcard view.
Also, the goal is not a perfect art piece. It is a clear image that feels like you, and that you can send.
Rome walking distance, and why the sitting stops are a big deal

The tour includes a short walk, with a maximum of 1km. That sounds small because it is small. But what matters more is that the stops are chosen for drawing, not for speed.
You can stop where you can sit on the ground or on benches. This is a clever setup for beginners. When you can settle in, you can look longer. You can take your time without your legs telling you to hurry up. And you can keep your work steady, which makes a noticeable difference when you are trying to sketch architecture or landmark shapes.
There is also a footstool included. That may sound like a tiny extra, but it helps you position yourself comfortably while sitting. Better comfort leads to better drawing, because you’re not constantly adjusting your body mid-stroke.
One more benefit: the walking is short enough that it works well if you are sightseeing already. You can do this as a creative pause in the middle of your Rome days, not as a major separate commitment.
What you keep: notebook and postcards, and why that changes the value

A lot of tours end with a photo and a memory. This one ends with something you can hold, mail, and keep.
You are able to keep the notebook and postcards created by you. That changes how you should think about the price. You are not just paying for an instructor’s time. You’re also buying a guided art session plus physical output you keep.
That physical output is a big deal for gift-giving. A friend receives a postcard that is clearly connected to you and to your exact moment in Rome. Even if your drawing is simple, it carries the story of where you sat, what you looked at, and how the city looked that day.
And if you want a souvenir that is more meaningful than a fridge magnet, this is one of the most direct ways to get it. It is personal labor, with guidance that helps you succeed.
The art kit: supplies included, and what they help with

The drawing kit is included, and it is not limited to just one medium. You get postcards, a notebook, and various colors. People often gravitate toward whatever tool feels easiest. Here, the variety helps you adapt as the subject comes together.
Wax crayons and colored pencils are both useful in different ways. Crayons can create bold marks and fill areas with quick color. Colored pencils tend to help with more controlled lines and shading. The pencil supports the foundation sketch. Having all of these on hand means you can move step by step rather than guessing how to make something look right.
You are also free to bring your own material if you prefer. That can be great if you already travel with a preferred sketch set. Still, the included kit makes the tour convenient for light packers.
One practical note: since the goal is to produce a recognizable postcard illustration, you do not need fancy equipment. You need guidance and the right tools in reach.
Another shape for the same afternoon in Rome:
Seeing Rome while you draw, the landmarks angle

This activity is designed around Rome as your subject, not Rome as background noise. You spend time outdoors to appreciate the beauty of the city while sketching.
In the experience, iconic architecture often becomes the focus, and the Colosseum is a common postcard subject for participants. That is useful to know if you have one must-draw landmark in mind. Even if you are flexible, it helps you pick what to expect visually.
More importantly than the specific monument is the teaching method: Valentina helps you see familiar spots under a different angle through drawing. People describe it as a way to take iconic scenes and translate them into lines and shapes. Once you do that, the city feels less like a postcard image and more like something you can understand.
You also get a slower rhythm for looking. That can be a relief after days of standing in crowds, trying to photograph everything in the same camera settings.
Price and value: what you get for about $48

At $48.06 per person for about 2 hours, this is not a bargain class compared to a free street sketch. But it is also not trying to be a private atelier session.
You are paying for three things that normally cost money on their own:
- A guided instructor who adapts to your skill level
- A provided drawing kit, including postcards and color tools
- A small-group format with enough attention to help you succeed
The value gets better because you keep everything you make. Many tours hand you tips and memories. This hands you finished postcards plus a notebook. That output makes the cost feel more justified, especially if you like sending mail or want a meaningful souvenir.
If you are the kind of traveler who enjoys craft activities but hates feeling judged, this is also a good use of time. You are basically buying a comfortable learning environment with Rome as the studio.
Who this is perfect for, and who might want something else

This tour fits best if you want Rome in a gentler mode. It is especially good for:
- Beginners who want structure and reassurance
- Couples who like shared activities
- Families with children, since the format is relaxed and accessible
- Anyone who wants an unusual souvenir that is not mass-produced
It can work well for solo travelers too, since the group is small and the instruction is personal.
Who might want a different plan? If you want a deep, detailed history tour or a long walking route that covers many neighborhoods, this is not that kind of experience. It is focused and short-walk, art-first. If you want to maximize monuments in a single day, you may use this as a complement, not your only Rome activity.
Also remember it is weather dependent because it happens outdoors. If your trip has uncertain forecasts, build a little flexibility into your schedule.
Practical tips before you go to Viale Madama Letizia
The meeting point is Viale Madama Letizia, Roma RM, Italy, and the activity ends back at the same place. It is near public transportation, so you do not need a car.
A couple of small practical points that will help you get the most out of the class:
- Wear comfy shoes even though walking is short, because you will likely sit, stand, and adjust positions
- Bring a layer if the weather shifts, since you are outdoors
- If you already have a sketch preference, you can bring your own materials, but the included kit is designed to work well
- If you feel unsure about drawing, that is normal. The teaching style is built to help you start and keep going
You also get a mobile ticket. That means less to print and less to carry.
One more perk for peace of mind: it is capped at 10 people. That usually translates to a more relaxed, hands-on vibe.
Weather, group size, and the small-class feel
Because the class is outdoors, the organizers plan for weather. If conditions are bad, the activity is rescheduled or you receive a refund. That is important because you should think of this as a creative session, not just a quick stroll.
The group size cap of 10 travelers is a big part of why the experience feels personal. With a smaller group, Valentina can watch what each person is doing, offer targeted advice, and help you fix common stumbling points as they happen.
People also describe her as warm energy and flexible. That combination matters because drawing can make you self-conscious, even when you know you should just have fun. Having an instructor who keeps the atmosphere positive makes it much easier to relax and create.
Should you book this Rome postcard workshop?
Yes, if you want a real activity with a real payoff. If your Rome style includes one or two unique experiences that help you slow down, this works.
Book it if:
- You want to learn enough to finish a postcard that looks like the landmark, not just a doodle
- You like the idea of keeping what you make
- You prefer a small group and personal guidance
- You want a break from rushing between major sights
Skip it if:
- You mainly want a long guided tour that covers lots of ground and many stops
- You hate outdoor activities in any weather scenario, since it can be rescheduled
If you are unsure, here’s the tie-breaker: if you’ve ever wished you could draw again, or you want a souvenir that feels made by you, this is one of the most satisfying ways to make that happen in Rome.
FAQ
How long is the Design your own Postcard of Rome tour?
It lasts about 2 hours.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at Viale Madama Letizia, Roma RM, Italy, and ends back at the same meeting point.
Is there a lot of walking?
No. The walking is kept very short, with a maximum of 1km.
Do I need to be good at drawing to join?
No. The experience is for all skill levels, and Valentina will show you how to make the postcard and offer suggestions tailored to your level.
What art supplies are included in the drawing kit?
The drawing kit includes postcards, a notebook, and various pencils and colors (including options like wax crayons and colored pencils). A footstool is also included.
Can I keep the postcard and notebook I create?
Yes. You are able to keep the notebook and the postcards created during the activity.
Are food or drinks included?
No. Food and beverages are not included.
How large is the group?
The activity has a maximum of 10 travelers.
Is it outdoors, and what happens in bad weather?
It requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or receive a full refund.
Can I cancel for free?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
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