Kid-Friendly Vacation: Rome to Venice

The second day of the trip will feature a full-day tour of some of Rome’s main attractions as well as a unique Roman gladiator experience. After breakfast, the day will begin with a private tour of the Colosseum. Dating back to the first century, the Colosseum is still the largest amphitheater that has ever been constructed. You will be in awe of its size as you traverse the levels of seating and learn about the epic battles and spectacles that once took place. You will have the opportunity to discover the Colosseum underground and go onto the arena floor where you will walk in the steps of the gladiators. After leaving the Colosseum, you and your family will get the exclusive chance to attend a Roman gladiator school. During this hands-on adventure, you will suit up in a traditional tunic and take hold of your sword as you learn the fighting techniques and customs of the ancient gladiators.

In the afternoon, the guided tour will continue to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Palatine Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome and according to the legend, is the location of the cave where the she-wolf cared for the founders of Rome: Romulus and Remus. You will enjoy the scenic view from this elevated standpoint. From Palatine, you will descend to the Roman Forum where the many ruins will bring ancient Rome to life once again. In the evening, you will dine on a traditional Roman pasta dish, bucatini all’ Amatriciana, before the day comes to a close.

Another riveting day will await you for day three of the trip, which will feature a private tour of more of Rome’s landmark attractions. First, you will visit the Trevi Fountain. Standing at 85 feet tall, the fountain will amaze you with its flowing water and realistic statues. It will also be the perfect spot for a family photo, and you will be sure everyone throws a few coins in the fountain for good luck before the tour continues. A short walk will bring you to Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps. The square got its name from the Spanish Embassy that is located there, and the steps were built to connect it to the Piazza della Trinità dei Monti and the church at the top of the hill. As you walk up the over 100 steps, you will enjoy the views of the streets and tourists below. Depending on when you visit, you may also get to see the steps beautifully decorated with seasonal décor.

You will take some time for a hearty lunch before the afternoon tour continues to Vatican City. From the towering Egyptian obelisk in St. Peter’s Square to the priceless art and statues inside St. Peter’s Basilica, you will do and see it all during your visit to this holy site. You will be in awe of Michelangelo’s Pieta sculpture that was carved out of a single slab of marble and in amazement of the incomparable Sistine Chapel. With visions of the Trevi Fountain and St. Peter’s still on your mind, you will enjoy the evening at your leisure.

The sights of Rome will disappear into the rearview as your private transfer begins the ride towards the picturesque Umbria on day four. Just a short ride from Rome, the small city of Orvieto is perched on tufo, which is volcanic rock, 1,000 feet above the valley below. A local guide will greet you upon your arrival at this unique hilltop city and lead you on your private tour. A family ride on the funicular will land you in the historic center where you will see the cathedral as it is covered in colorful mosaics. The exciting tour will then go underground. You will have the chance to journey through caves and tunnels that date back 2,500 years, and that will seem to be frozen in time under the city above. You can take your time to appreciate the many shops that are decorated with handmade ceramics before the day’s voyage continues towards Tuscany.

By evening, your private transfer will arrive in the capital of Tuscany, Florence. Known for its Renaissance art and architecture, Florence is a city that will fascinate you at every turn. After checking into your luxurious hotel, you can begin to explore the city on your own. Perhaps a savory dish of pappardelle or tagliatelle pasta and a sweet pistachio flavored gelato will be the perfect end to your day.

The smell of cappuccinos brewing in the local cafes will signal the beginning of another incredible day. An exclusive tour of Florence’s main attractions will begin as your private guide leads you through the city. First, be sure to pause for a family photo as you traverse one of Florence’s most well-known bridges, Ponte Vecchio. Renaissance art will be on full display as you visit the Uffizi Gallery. You will stand in awe at the many works of great artists such as Botticelli and da Vinci, and you will quickly see why the Uffizi is one of the most visited museums in Italy. Your tour will then continue to Florence’s Cathedral, which is known in Italian as the Duomo di Firenze. The colorful marble exterior will greet you and once you are inside the mosaics and frescoes will delight you. You will finish your tour of the cathedral with a climb to reach the cupola where you can enjoy the views and up-close look at the cathedral’s famed dome.

You will have some free time for lunch before visiting the Accademia Gallery in the afternoon. Home to timeless works of art, the tour of the gallery will be highlighted by viewing Michelangelo’s David. After the day’s tour ends, you will certainly have worked up an appetite, and luckily, a delicious meal will be coming up next. In the evening, you and your family will enjoy a private pizza making class in an authentic, local restaurant. You will learn the ingredients that are required to make the perfect dough before choosing your toppings and indulging in your delicious handmade pizza for dinner.

On day six, your private transfer will depart Florence in the morning to begin the scenic drive to Pisa. Another perfect family photo opportunity will await you in this iconic and memorable city. A local guide will greet you upon arrival and provide a walking tour of Pisa’s attractions. You will traverse the main square, Piazza dei Miracoli, and see the cathedral and Baptistery. Pisa’s Cathedral will impress you with its detailed marble exterior and gold and mosaic-filled interior. Next, you will tour what will certainly be the highlight of your stop in Pisa: the great Leaning Tower. Everyone in the family will enjoy climbing to the top of the tower and looking out at the beautiful city.

You can enjoy lunch in Pisa before continuing the drive to the Veneto region of Italy. You will arrive in Venice by early evening and will take a private boat ride to check into your lavish waterfront hotel before embarking on an exclusive evening gondola ride. You will glide across the famous Grand Canal as your gondolier takes you around the many winding waterways. This special ride will be the ideal way to begin your stay in the magical city of Venice.

The soft breeze from the Venetian lagoon will be a welcoming wake-up call on day seven of your trip. After breakfast, a local guide will begin a private tour of some of Venice’s best attractions. When you arrive at the unparalleled St. Mark’s Square, you will quickly become enamored with its sights and sounds. St. Mark’s Basilica will be impressive both inside and out. The detailed exterior with the winged lion statue, the symbol of Venice, and an ornate interior that is decorated with patterned marble floors and myriads of gold mosaics will be unforgettable. No visit to Venice would be complete without ascending the famous bell tower, which is known as the Campanile. The bell tower will provide fascinating views of Venice and its waterways that everyone will remember. The tour will then continue to the Doge’s Palace where you will learn about the history of the centuries-old building while exploring the current day museum. Once back outside in St. Mark’s Square, the whole family can dine on an outdoor lunch at one of the many mouthwatering restaurants.

In the afternoon, you will experience an exclusive private Venetian mask making class at a local workshop. The tradition of Venetian masks dates back hundreds of years, and today, you and your family will become master artisans in your own right. You will learn some of the many techniques that are used to design these colorful creations as you paint and decorate your very own mask. With your new souvenir in hand, you will enjoy the final evening at leisure as you continue to explore all this floating city has to offer.

You can enjoy your last family outing where you can discover the many bridges of Venice on day eight. One more opportunity for a great family snapshot will await you at the Rialto Bridge. Considered Venice’s most famous bridge, it is also the oldest bridge that crosses the Grand Canal. You can take a few minutes to watch the many colorful boats that drift under the bridge before returning to your hotel where private transfers will take you back to the mainland of Italy and then to Marco Polo Airport for your return flight home.

During the course of your 8-day trip, you will have experienced the very best of Italy’s enchanting cities. From Rome to Florence to Venice, this will certainly be the best family vacation of a lifetime that everyone will cherish forever.