Complete Italy Family Vacation

Day 1 – Rome: Welcome to Rome
Your exciting Italy family vacation begins with your arrival at Rome’s airport where our driver will provide a warm welcome to Italy and private transfer to your hotel on the city’s most famous shopping street, Via Condetti, with views of the Spanish Steps. Once you’ve checked in, the rest of the day is yours, but you might want to enjoy a stroll with numerous attractions nearby, not only the Spanish Steps but Trevi Fountain, which is less than a 10-minute walk away. One of the most popular things to do in the city is tossing three coins into the baroque fountain, which legend tells provides benefits like guaranteeing a return trip to Rome. You’ll find many shops and cafes just steps away as well.

Day 2 – Panoramic Ancient Rome by Private Car
Your tour today will provide an excellent overview of ancient Rome and beyond. It’s the perfect intro that will allow you to get to know the city and all that it offers so that you can make the most of it during your leisure time. The three-hour excursion will reveal the Lungotevere, the waterfront promenade following the Tiber River along with the well-preserved walls of ancient Rome, Circus Maximus, the ancient chariot-racing stadium in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills, the Roman Colosseum, and spectacular Villa Borghese. You’ll conclude at St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church, built between 1506 and 1626, spread over more than 226,000 feet. Enjoy time to wander St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding area as well.

Day 3 – Rome: Rome for Kids Tour
Get ready for an incredible adventure that will take you back in time to ancient Rome where the captivating stories behind the nearly 2,000-year-old Roman Colosseum will be revealed. You’ll join our local guide for a deep dive into the city’s iconic symbol, the world’s largest standing amphitheater. The young explorers in your family will enjoy the chance to step into the shoes of a gladiator to learn and practice gladiatorial fighting techniques. It’s an interactive experience providing the perfect mix of education and entertainment that allows everyone in the family to fully engage and ask plenty of questions while uncovering the extraordinary tales from centuries ago and creating memories that are sure to last a lifetime.

Day 4 – Sorrento: Transfer from Rome
As your time in Rome comes to an end, prepare for a seamless transition to your next destination, Sorrento, the gateway to the magnificent Amalfi Coast. Upon checkout at your hotel, our driver will meet you to provide private transfer to the Rome Termini Train Station. You’ll board the highspeed train bound for Naples, a 90-minute ride. Upon arrival, another driver will be waiting to provide private transfer to your hotel in the heart of Sorrento which sits on famous Piazza Tasso, the main square. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. You might head to one of the many cafes on the square, ideal for people watching while marveling at landmarks like the baroque church of Santuario del Carmine.

Day 5 – Sorrento: Private Pizza-Making and Mozzarella Tasting Tour
Today you’ll enjoy what many families feel was a highlight of their time in Sorrento, delving into some of its most delicious flavors and learning how to make pizza in the country where it was created. Your private driver will pick you up at your hotel, transporting you to a historic citrus grove. Here you’ll enjoy a tasting of many products, including olive oil, marmalade, rustic bread, just-picked oranges and lemons, and fresh lemonade. Next, head to a farm where you’ll watch a mozzarella-making demonstration and enjoy a tasting alongside salami and wine before diving into your pizza lesson. A skilled instructor will teach you how to make traditional Neapolitan pizza and when it’s ready, enjoy it beneath a shady citrus tree.

Day 6 – Sorrento: Amalfi Sunset Coastal Cruise

Of course, marveling at the beauty of the Amalfi Coast is the reason so many visit this breathtaking region. Today you’ll get to see it from a different perspective: on the water. The two-hour private excursion sails on a classic Gozzo Sorrento boat and you’ll be guided by your personal crew. It begins by traveling to the glamorous isle of Capri where you’ll pass the historic fishing village of Marina Grande. Check out Roman ruins, a cascading waterfall, and other sights along the coast, stopping at the tip of Capo di Sorrento where you can enjoy a refreshing dip near an ancient Roman villa, Pollio Felice. At sunset, enjoy wine, Prosecco, and appetizers

Day 7 – Florence: Transfer from Sorrento
Your family vacation continues by traveling to the city known as the “cradle of the Renaissance,” Florence. To reach this spectacular city, your driver will meet you upon checkout at your hotel to provide private transfer back to the Naples train station. With highspeed train tickets in hand, you’ll hop aboard for the three-hour journey. Upon arrival in Florence, another driver will be waiting for you to bring you to your hotel on the banks of the Arno River. Once settled in, the rest of the day is yours. You might relax and enjoy the exceptional river and city views or perhaps take a walk to explore the shops on the renowned Ponte Vecchio bridge, just over a 10-minute stroll away.

Day 8 – Florence: Florentine Gondola Tour
Give your feet a break with a unique tour today that allows you to marvel at some of the most beautiful sights of Florence by traveling in a gondola on the Arno River. Join a local guide for this gondola tour that provides a different perspective of the city and its landmarks along the riverbanks. It includes all the major hotspots, including the Ponte Vecchio bridge, which was the first to cross the Arno, appearing in a 996 AD document. While it was destroyed by a flood in the early 12th century, it was reconstructed soon after. You’ll also see the pretty 16th century Ponte Santa Trinita bridge and the five-arched Ponte alla Carraia bridge. At sunset, enjoy the gorgeous colors while sipping Prosecco.

Day 9 – Florence: Private Pisa Discovery
A day trip will bring you to the city of Pisa, just an 80-minute drive to the west. You’ll take private transfer from your Florence hotel to meet a local guide in Pisa for a visit to Campo dei Miracoli, which translates to “The Square of Miracles.” An important center of European medieval art, it’s one of the world’s finest architectural complexes and home to the city’s main religious monuments and its four most iconic attractions. You’ll get an introduction to the Pisa Cathedral, the 13th -century Campo Santo with its long marble wall flanking the northern boundary of the square, and the Leaning Tower. Dating to the 12th century, the bell tower is famous for its tilt which started before construction was completed.

Day 10 – Bologna: Transfer from Florence to Bologna
Say farewell to Florence as you journey to your next destination, taking private transfer to the train station with highspeed train tickets in hand for the just over 30-minute ride. Upon arrival, another driver will be waiting to provide private transfer to your hotel in the historic center, a short walk from the medieval Towers of Bologna. After settling into your room, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. If you want to enjoy a stroll while getting to know the city, head to the porticos which stretch for over 24 miles in the historic center. On a hot day, they provide welcome shade that will allow you to be outdoors and take advantage of fantastic photo ops that include impressive columns and frescoes.

Day 11 – Bologna: Walking Tour of Bologna
Get to know Bologna on a walking tour with a local guide that will uncover the delights of the historic center, with the opportunity to enjoy delicious local bites along the way. Starting at Piazza Malpighi, marvel at the 13th-century gothic-style Basilica di San Francesco, then continue to the University of Bologna where you’ll visit the elevated medieval tombs. Continue to the two squares that adjoin the city’s heart, Piazza del Nettuna and Piazza Maggiore, which are framed by Renaissance and medieval palaces. Visit the interesting Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio, a 17th-century anatomical lecture hall at the old medical school, and the lively market district, concluding at the two Leaning Towers where you’ll have time to grab an ice cream or lunch.

Day 12 – Venice: Transfer from Bologna to Venice
It’s time to head to the final destination of your trip: Venice. Return to the train station in Bologna by private transfer to catch the highspeed train for the 90-minute ride to the Floating City. At the Venice train station, our driver will be waiting to provide private transfer to your hotel for the next three nights, which overlooks the Grand Canal. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours. Located in the San Polo district, here the traders sell their wares to the central market beneath the Rialto bridge, shouting distance away, making it easy to explore. This is also a prime spot for dining, with a wide range of restaurants to choose from if you’re ready to sample tasty Venetian cuisine.

Day 13 – Venice: Family Scavenger Hunt
A fun, entertaining, and educational experience will be enjoyed today, led by a local Venetian. You’ll embark on a family scavenger hunt, designed for the younger members of the family. They’ll head out on a quest to discover clues and find objects that are hidden among charming small squares and the tangled maze of narrow streets. You’ll cross the Rialto Bridge where its fascinating secret will be revealed and discover many parts of the city that are only known to ancient traders of the Venetian Republic that existed for 1,100 years from 697 AD through the late 18th century. Taking on the role of the merchants, you’ll search for the elusive winged lion, and more as you get to know Venice inside and out.

Day 14 –Venice: Rowing Like a Gondolier
Today you’ll enjoy an experience that you’re unlikely to ever forget. You’ll step into the shoes of a real Venetian gondolier. While these gondoliers are required to undergo rigorous training and multiple tests in order to master their craft, you don’t have to endure that but you will get to know the fundaments of the art of rowing. Start with a lesson on the core techniques and positions used while gaining invaluable insight into this centuries-old tradition. Afterward, you’ll get into a traditional batelina and navigate the canals, passing below iconic bridges while seeing many of the city’s sights from a unique perspective on the water. Concluding at the rowing pier, here you’ll enjoy a Venetian aperitif to celebrate.

Day 15 – Venice: Departure
After two full weeks discovering some of the most alluring destinations in Italy from Rome and the Amalfi Coast to Florence, Bologna, and Venice, your Complete Italy Vacation soon comes to an end. When it’s time to check out of your hotel, your driver will be waiting to bring you to Venice’s airport where you’ll catch your flight home, ensuring a smooth start to your journey. We wish you safe travels and hope to see you again on another unforgettable trip. Of course, if you have the time and would like to extend your time here or visit other destinations, our travel experts will be happy to assist.