Highlights
- Discover three Italian cities with the help of comfortable, high-speed trains
- Search for Venice's iconic winged lions on a citywide scavenger hunt
- Take a relaxed bike ride along the beaches of the Venice Lido
- Get hands-on in Florence as you learn to make fresh pasta and craft colorful paper
- Watch history come alive with a kid-friendly Colosseum and Roman Forum tour
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Venice, Afternoon Gondola Experience | Venice |
| Day 2 | Family-Friendly Venice Walking Tour | Venice |
| Day 3 | Lion Scavenger Hunt, Carnival Mask Painting Workshop | Venice |
| Day 4 | Explore the Venice Lido by Bike, Visit the Villa Pisani | Venice |
| Day 5 | Train to Florence, Family-Friendly Food Tour | Florence |
| Day 6 | Florence Treasure Hunt Experience, Free Afternoon | Florence |
| Day 7 | Tuscan Cooking Class, Florentine Paper Workshop | Florence |
| Day 8 | Train to Rome, Family-Friendly Colosseum & Forum Tour | Rome |
| Day 9 | Explore the Vatican & St. Peter's Basilica, Afternoon Gladiator School | Rome |
| Day 10 | Free Day in Rome: Activities, Museums & Gardens | Rome |
| Day 11 | Depart Rome |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Venice, Afternoon Gondola Experience
Welcome to Italy! Your trip starts in Venice, where you'll transfer from the airport to your hotel via private water taxi. Once you've settled in, kick things off with a classic gondola ride with a twist—each member of the family can take a turn playing gondolier as you navigate through the "Floating City's" famous canals! The excursion begins when you meet your expert guide and take a stroll through Cannaregio, leaving the busier, touristy section of the city behind as you learn about the daily life of Venetians.
Pass through the Jewish Quarter, where the Jewish community was first segregated during the 16th century, and stop in a typical bacaro (wine bar) to get a true taste of the city with some cicchetti (the Venetian version of tapas) and cold drinks. Then it's time to step into your traditional, flat-bottomed boat and learn the ropes as your experienced gondolier explains how to steer using a long wooden oar set in a distinctive oarlock known as a fórcola. Let the kids take the helm as you sit back and enjoy the views, gliding past atmospheric small canals and traditional neighborhoods.
Day 2: Family-Friendly Venice Walking Tour
You're off to discover some of Venice's most important landmarks today with a kid-friendly twist. It starts when you meet your guide in the central Piazza San Marco, the heart of the city's cultural and administrative district. From here, you'll venture into the hidden passages within the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace), skipping the lines and stepping into the historic and hidden world of political Venice through a secret door. Navigate isolated prison cells, torture chambers, and secret government archives, exploring areas even locals don't know about as your guide shares stories of the palace's dramatic history.
You'll also get a chance to view the general access areas of the palace, wandering through council halls and ballrooms as your guide points out priceless paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto. Your tour ends with a visit to the neighboring Basilica San Marco, once again skipping the long lines as your guide leads you through one of the city's most important landmarks. Learn about the building's mix of Byzantine, Gothic, and Romanesque architectural styles, hear stories of its history that dates back to the ninth-century CE, and see the spectacular gold Byzantine altarpiece known as the Pala d'Oro.
Day 3: Lion Scavenger Hunt, Carnival Mask Painting Workshop
Make sure the whole family wears their most comfortable walking shoes this morning—you're off on a scavenger hunt! Wind your way along misty canals and narrow alleys as you seek out some of the city's famous winged lions, found everywhere from the banners of the Rialto Market to the beloved bronze statue in the Piazza San Marco. As the kids keep a sharp eye out and count as many lions as they can, they'll learn more about this beloved symbol of Venice and get a fascinating look at the city as they go.
After following the Grand Canal from the Doge's Palace and passing by the Arsenale (an excellent place for lion-hunting), you'll part ways with your guide in Giardini Pubblici, a public park with sculptures, flower beds, lawns, and a playground for the kids. Relax and enjoy a picnic lunch here before continuing to your afternoon activity.
Carnival masks are another iconic symbol of Venice, and later today, you'll create your own in a workshop in the very heart of the city. Start by strolling over to a traditional costumes and masks atelier, only a few minutes away from the Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge. Here you'll be welcomed by experienced artisans and learn about the history of Venetian Carnival as you create your own mask using papier-mâché and decorative materials. Even less crafty family members can join in the fun, skipping the creation part and focusing on decorating a premade mask.
Day 4: Explore the Venice Lido by Bike, Visit the Villa Pisani
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Train to Florence, Family-Friendly Food Tour
Be sure to pack some snacks, activities, and your chargers before you catch the two-hour, high-speed train south to Florence. Spanning the banks of the Arno River, Tuscany's regional capital is home to countless masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture, plenty of parks, and its own distinct regional cuisine (it's also considered the birthplace of gelato, so prepare to sample plenty of the frozen dessert during your visit!).
After settling in at your hotel, you'll join a local guide for a flavorful introduction to Tuscany's culinary delights. Learn more about the region's gastronomy, culture, and history as you seek out off-the-beaten-path gelaterias and sample savory treats from the city's traditional markets, including kid-friendly local specialties like truffle paninis and handmade chocolate focaccia. Finish the tour with a glass of Chianti for the adults and a sweet dessert for the younger family members.
Day 6: Florence Treasure Hunt Experience, Free Afternoon
Today you'll discover more of Florence's medieval squares and Renaissance palaces on a morning walking tour—with a twist. With the help of an expert guide, you'll join a small group for 2.5 hours of games, treasure hunts, quizzes, and more as you explore the city's historic center in a playful and family-friendly way. Pass iconic sites like the Basilica di Santa Croce (the final resting place of Galileo and Michelangelo), admire the replica of Michelangelo's David in the Piazza della Signoria, and spot Giotto's Bell Tower on the mighty Cathedral of Florence, more commonly known as the Duomo.
A visit to the antique carousel in the Piazza della Repubblica is a crowd favorite, as is the stroll across the Ponte Vecchio—a 14th-century bridge that's famous for the shops and buildings that line its length. A walk across the bridge is like stepping back in time, as many of the shops have been in use since the 16th century. After parting ways with your guide, you'll have the rest of the day free to spend at your leisure.
The kids might like to picnic in one of Florence's parks, surrounded by views of the Tuscan countryside. Take your time to buy some local snacks from one of the markets in the center, then choose one of the city's many green spaces. Most of the larger gardens are on the south side of the Arno, including the Boboli Gardens and the Giardino delle Rose (Rose Garden). For something a little more educational and hands-on, you could also visit the interactive Leonardo da Vinci Museum, or consider the celestial spheres at the Museo Galileo, where you can peer through ancient telescopes.
Day 7: Tuscan Cooking Class, Florentine Paper Workshop
Let the kids sleep in this morning, then kick off a day of hands-on fun with a four-hour family cooking lesson, where younger children, teenagers, and parents can all roll up their sleeves and learn how to make classic Tuscan dishes. Under the guidance of a professional chef, you'll whip up kid-friendly classics like pizza and homemade pastas, with plenty of options to suit even the pickiest of eaters. After working together in the kitchen, you'll sit down to enjoy a family-style lunch featuring your creations. Buon appetito!
After your hard-earned lunch, stroll over to a local paper atelier for a two-hour workshop devoted to crafting Florentine marbled paper. This traditional art form dates back to the 16th century, and the colorful, swirling designs are synonymous with the city. Kids will love the hands-on learning approach, and taking their treasures home at the end is the best part. You can join in to learn the secrets of paper crafting from your skilled artisan instructors, but parents don't have to be present—you also might want to take advantage of this time and enjoy a kid-free visit to a museum or stroll through the city!
Day 8: Train to Rome, Family-Friendly Colosseum & Forum Tour
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in Florence, then gather up the family and head to the train station to catch a 1.5-hour train south to Rome. According to legend, Italy's capital was founded by brothers Romulus and Remus in 753 BCE atop Palatine Hill, which you'll explore later today. But first, drop your bags at your hotel and grab some lunch. You could follow the river to the charming, wisteria-filled Trastevere neighborhood, or hop over to Testaccio to try Roman street food specialties, such as supplì (deep-fried rice balls), pizza bianca, and porchetta (roast pork stuffed and rolled with herbs).
In the afternoon, delve into the history of the Roman Empire and follow in the footsteps of gladiators with a kid-focused, educator-designed tour that utilizes puzzles, riddles, and a treasure hunt to keep little ones engaged and entertained. Start at the Colosseum, the world's largest amphitheater built by the Flavian emperors in 80 CE as the epicenter of Ancient Rome's public entertainment. See the marble seats reserved for the Roman senators, and imagine the roar of 80,000 spectators calling your name.
Continue your trip back in time with a short walk to Palatine Hill, once an exclusive neighborhood for political leaders and emperors, where you'll see ruins of the sprawling palaces. Admire the umbrella pine-dotted views toward the Vatican, Circus Maximus, and the Roman Forum—the focal point of political life in Ancient Rome—and explore the forum's 2,000-year-old excavations that reveal temples, squares, and religious sites used by the empire's noble citizens. Meanwhile, your guide will bring the ruins to life and spark the kids' imaginations with fascinating stories of life in Ancient Rome.
Day 9: Explore the Vatican & St. Peter's Basilica, Afternoon Gladiator School
Start the day as the locals do with a cornetto semplice (croissant) at a neighborhood café, then meet your guide for an in-depth tour of the Vatican, designed to be fun for children but interesting enough to keep the whole family engaged. You'll begin at the Vatican Museums, founded by Pope Julius in the early 16th century and renowned for their classical sculptures and Renaissance masterpieces.
Wind your way through highlights like the Pio Clementino Museum, the Gallery of the Geographical Maps, and the magnificent Raphael Rooms before arriving at the Sistine Chapel, famous for its frescoed ceiling and Michelangelo's The Last Judgement. Take a moment to appreciate the extraordinary setting inside St. Peter's Basilica and see Michelangelo's dramatic La Pietà, then part ways with your guide and spend some time exploring the Basilica on your own; the kids might want to climb to the top of the dome or stroll around Bernini's celebrated Piazza San Pietro.
Afterward, grab some lunch in the city center, but don't get too full—the afternoon will be an active one! You're off to the Gladiator School of Rome, where the kids can spend two hours getting dressed up, learning ancient battle strategies, and testing their speed on an agility course. Instructors from the Historic Reenactment Group of Rome lead the class, which starts with a lesson on clothing and battle gear and ends with a tournament (and a prize for the winner). Afterward, you might want to stroll over to the adjoining museum to learn more about life in Ancient Rome.
Day 10: Free Day in Rome: Activities, Museums & Gardens
It's the penultimate day of your Italian adventure, and it's free for you to spend however you choose. If the family is keen to join more guided experiences, book a fun gelato-making workshop or hop on a Vespa for a sightseeing ride around the city. Adventurous kids might want to explore the trapdoors, secret passageways, and hidden rooms of Castel Sant'Angelo, while curious young minds will love the Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum, and soccer fans can see sporting history on a tour of the Stadio Olimpico.
You could also hop on a tour boat to explore the city banks from the Tiber River, or wander the ornate rooms of the Galleria Borghese, viewing the splendid frescoes at one of the world's most beautiful art museums. After, take a peaceful stroll around the surrounding gardens, where the kids can run off some steam amid the natural surroundings. For sweeping Roman views, ascend to the orange groves of the Giardino degli Aranci on the city's Aventine Hill, then find a local trattoria for a soul-warming bowl of pasta on your last night in the city.
Day 11: Depart Rome
It's time to say goodbye to Italy! Enjoy one last morning in the "Eternal City" before you transfer to the airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!
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