1 Week in Italy - 4 Family-Friendly Itineraries

Itinerary #1: Family-Friendly Fun in Venice and Rome

Visit two of Italy's most classic cities on this itinerary tailored for ages five through 12. Follow in Marco Polo's footsteps and make your way through the canals in Venice, then search for ancient treasures at Roman hotspots.

Your travels on this highly interactive trip start in Venice, where you'll explore along the paths followed by the famous explorer Marco Polo to some of the city's best-known sites and paddle along the canals on a private gondola ride. You'll get hands-on with one of Venice's most recognizable hallmarks, the Carnival mask, in a mask-making workshop, then explore the passages of the Doge's Palace, the seat of the Venetian government for more than 1,000 years. The quests continue in the islands of the Venetian Lagoon, including Murano and its famed glassblowing and the lace-making and cookies of Burano. While children are scurrying about on scavenger hunts, parents can learn from expert guides about Venetian history and culture.

Travel over to Rome by high-speed train, where you'll drive around the Eternal City on a golf cart tour that will take you to all the top landmarks with ease. Try your hand at Italian cuisine in a pizza-making workshop, then hunt for treasures amid the archaeological sites at the Colosseum and Roman Forum, which can be brought back to life using 3D virtual reconstruction goggles. Channel your inner artists in a mosaic or fresco workshop, then see art in action with a scavenger hunt through the Vatican, including kid-friendly favorites like the Gallery of Maps and Pinecone Courtyard, before you wave goodbye to Rome. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Family Road Trip to Milan and the Lakes

Drive yourself around northern Italy with this itinerary that will take you through spots both fun and fashionable. Learn to cook in Milan, lounge in Lake Como, and visit the many parks of Lake Garda.

A self-drive trip is great for families that want to control their own travel speed and budget. Start this one in the fashionable city of Milan, where a private walking tour will take you to city highlights like the Piazza del Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping mall, La Scala Opera House, and the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which is home to Da Vinci's "The Last Supper." You'll learn to make pasta the Italian way before you hop in your car and head to Lake Como. Stop at the Alfa Romeo Museum or Spina Verde Regional Park along the way before you arrive at the lake's luxurious shores.

Once you arrive, you'll set out for a semi-private boat tour to see why Lake Como has been attracting nobility since Roman times. Your guide will lead you through tales of fortresses, naval battles, and the many opulent villas that adorn the lakeshore before you stop in Bellagio to sample local specialties and browse the boutiques. Take a free day to explore along the lake before you continue on to Lake Garda, Italy's most family-friendly lake. Its shores are lined with amusement parks, historical sites, and more, as you'll see from a guided boat tour with stops to swim and explore small islands. Take a free day to visit the parks, museums, cable car, and more. Finish up your trip with a chance to stretch your legs on a bike ride through the gardens of Sigurtà Park before you return to Milan for your departure. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Active Trip Through Naples, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast

If you want to make sure your family vacation gives you plenty of adventurous ways to burn off some extra energy, this coastal itinerary is for you. Hike, kayak, boat tour, and more through some of Italy's most popular coastal areas.

The adventures in this itinerary are best suited for teens who want to stay active and find the perfect backdrop for their next photo. You'll start in Naples, where you'll explore the city starting from atop Vomero Hill and slowly making your way downhill to the city's historic center on a guided urban trek. Next, head to Sorrento, but don't miss the stop in Pompeii along the way, where you can explore the vast ruins of this ancient city at your own pace, and arrive in Sorrento just in time for an evening stroll along the waterfront.

Dive into the blue waters off Sorrento with a beach day and sea kayak tour that will take you along the city's ancient Greek walls and villas, then pay a visit to the Punta Campanella Protected Marine Area for a second day of hiking and paddling amid its pristine bays. Your last stop is the Amalfi Coast, where you can take the ferry between popular spots like Amalfi and Positano as well as smaller villages. A day hike through the Valley of the Mills will lead you through the region's history with waterfalls, old paper mills, and picturesque lemon groves before you head back to Naples for your departure. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Rome and Sorrento with Small Children

Traveling with little ones can be a challenge, but this itinerary through both city and surf makes it smooth sailing. You'll get private tours through some of the most popular attractions in Rome, then recline on the coast in Sorrento.

Rather than being specifically targeted toward your children, this itinerary focuses on parents who want to see Italy while also minimizing any inconveniences caused by their still-young sprouts. Private tours and easy transfers will keep you moving even when your baby starts fussing.

Start off in Rome, where you'll cruise past the city's top sights by golf cart for your introduction to this metropolis. Private tours through the Colosseum and Roman Forum can take you straight to the highlights or areas of personal interest without having to worry about disturbing the group. Spend a morning relaxing in one of Rome's many gardens before you take a private tour of the Vatican, including, of course, the Sistine Chapel.

Make your way to Sorrento next, stopping in Pompeii for another guided tour at your own pace. Once you arrive in Sorrento, spend some time on the beaches and take a cruise along the Amalfi Coast, scoping out towns like Positano and Amalfi at a slower speed before you depart Italy. Learn more

More Great 7-Day Italy Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Italy? Check out these other 7-day Italy itineraries, with history-focused trips, food & wine getaways, and best-of tours to hit the highlights. 

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