Travel the Homo Faber way this summer and experience craftsmanship on the go

From three sisters who have created the first sustainable flower farm in Italy in the Tuscan hills to a kite maker in the middle of France who handcrafts colourful kites perfect for the beach, wherever you travel this summer find artisans nearby with Homo Faber Guide.

• In Italy, visit a boardmaker on the Adriatic coast
• In France, discover the willow farm of a basketweaving duo near to Bordeaux
• In Portugal, get an insight into Azujelo tile making in Faro

Wherever you travel this summer, whether it’s a staycation in your home country or abroad, take the chance to discover artisans and rising stars on your journey or at your destination. With over 37 countries to choose from, 1700 artisans to meet and 850 experiences, your next craftsmanship encounter is just around the corner. We’ve searched Homo Faber Guide to bring you some of our favourite new discoveries in Italy, France and Portugal.

Nestled into the picturesque landscape of the Val d’Orcia in Tuscany, Italy, a stone’s throw away from the famous hill top town Pienza, is the sustainable flower farm, Puscina. A family’s love for their farm and a respect for their local nature underpins the ethos behind this special place. It was set up in 2014 by three sisters to rescue the family farm that had fallen into disarray, now it brims with seasonal blooms and a joyful spirit of creativity as sisters Laura, Mara and Teresa Cugusi design their sustainable floral arrangements for weddings, local restaurants and special occasions. Their doors or gardens and wild meadows are open for all those looking to experience life on a flower farm. They run flower arrangement courses, guided tours of the garden, flower picking experiences and treasure hunts for families. For the three sisters this craft is a way to connect not only with people and creativity but with their roots and the earth.

While in the area, head south towards Umbria, near to the shores of Lago di Bolsena, where you can find the workshop of talented leatherworker Stefano Conticelli and participate in his taster workshop. Travel to Umbertide to explore the ceramic museum and shop of Rometti, witness the mastery of their handcrafted iconic pieces. For sea lovers, venture to the Adriatic coast to visit the workshop of boardmaker Eugenio Celli. His retro inspired surfboards are made using traditional woodworking techniques combined with 3D design.

Have you ever wondered who makes the kite installations for festivals? Michel Gressier is one such talented man. He handcrafts large-scale kites, which he describes as paintings for the sky, from his workshop in Tours, France. With their vibrant colours and patterns, they’re certainly eye-catching, varying in size, colour and form. From Octoplans to Hexaplans, each kite is unique and plays with light, wind, shadows and changing geometries. If you’re crossing France to reach the South or Southwest, let the wind blow you in his direction and perhaps even commission a specially made kite to take along to the beach.

From here wind your way to the coast, near to Rochefort to discover Sylvie Deschamps, a gifted master artisan embracing the rare craft of gold thread embroiderery. Sylvie’s workshop is the last in France dedicated to this local heritage craft. A little further down the coastline, meet porcelain maker Marik Korus and her delicate creations inspired by marine forms and the local nature of Charente-Maritime. Continue south to Bordeaux and make a visit to the atelier of silversmith Roland Daraspe, learn the secrets behind the ceremonial gifts he makes for the Elysée Palace. For nature lovers, visit the willow farm of basketweavers Karen Gossart and Corentin Laval and marvel at the techniques they use to create their striking pieces.

In the most southern part of Portugal, perched on sandy coloured cliff tops above aquamarine sea shores is the pretty town of Faro. It is here that sibling duo Rui and Maria Mascarenhas perpetuate not only a family tradition but a local tradition, that of Azulejo tile making. Together they master a myriad of age-old techniques from the aresta viva to the corda seca which enable them to handcraft both reproductions of traditional 16th century tiles and more contemporary interpretations for modern architecture. Both siblings learned the craft from their mother and came back to the family business following experiences in architecture and landscape design. They see themselves as both the custodians and innovators of this local heritage which has its roots in the Arab world. Commission your own tiles or enjoy watching this creative duo in action.

Take the time to travel nearby to the atelier of a young rising star who is making waves with her sustainable woven wall installations. Vanessa Barragão upcycles fabric deadstock to weave her colourful representations of marine landscapes. Just around the corner in Loulé, seek out the sound of beating copper in the narrow streets, then you’ll know you’re nearby to the atelier of coppersmith Analide Joaquim Correia do Carmo. This passionate master artisan recently returned to this once popular craft in a local quest by the Town Council to revive the tradition.