Leisurely Italy With Small Children: Rome, Sorrento & Naples - 10 Days

Welcome to Italy!

Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will meet you and take you to your accommodation in Rome. On the way, you'll enjoy a short, 30-minute driving orientation of Rome, the Eternal City. Hop on board a comfortable golf cart for a family-friendly and private driving tour of Rome that lets you zip through the city. Kids love exploring Rome’s highlights in an easy and fun way! Allow yourself to soak in the city’s incredible landmarks and hidden gems as you relax and enjoy the ride. 

The tour starts at the centrally located Piazza della Repubblica, although if you’re staying in the city center, you can begin at your hotel. On your tour, you’ll visit Santa Maria Maggiore with its gorgeous portico and ride down charming cobblestone streets to the amazing daily flower market at Campo de Fiori. Your guide will share the history of Rome with you while visiting the big sites, like the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Circus Maximus, to name a few. 

You’ll also explore beyond the main highlights and zip off the beaten path. Zig-zag through the beautiful residential streets of Palatine Hill to reach one of the city’s secret spots, the keyhole! Stop at Largo Argentina, the spot where Julius Caesar was famously assassinated, before winding your way down to the Piramide Cestia. Pass through the Testaccio neighborhood and stop at the Mouth of Truth. Watch as visitors slip their hand into the statue’s mouth and learn the curious story behind this unique Roman legend.

Explore this historic and mesmerizing city with a private expert guide leading the way. You’ll visit the city’s most ancient landmarks, including the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and of course, the Colosseum. At the end of the second century, these three sites were the main hubs of politics, commerce, and social activity in Rome.

Your private Ancient Rome Tour begins with the Colosseum, the world's largest amphitheater. Walking through the ancient arena is like stepping back in time to the days of the Roman Empire. At its prime, the Colosseum held 50,000 spectators and was the central venue for gladiator fights. View the Arch of Constantine, admire the Temple of Venus, and learn about Ancient Rome's most famous and illustrious citizens, such as Julius Caesar, Emperors Augustus and Nero, and the Flavian Emperors who built the Colosseum. 

Continue with a tour of Palatine Hill, the centermost of Rome's seven hills. Your private guide will divulge intriguing stories of the neighborhood’s famous residents, including political leaders and emperors. You’ll admire the Domus Augustana, the Domus Flavia, and the Domitian’s Palace and Stadium. Enjoy views of the Circus Maximus, plus the Aula Regia, the Temple of Apollo, Livia’s House, the Temple of the Victory, Romulus and Remo’s ancient village, and more.

Next, dig deeper into this important archaeological zone by visiting the extensive excavation of the Roman Forum. Your private guide will describe what Roman life was like 2,000 years ago. Admire the ruins of ancient temples, theaters, and government buildings, and venture down the streets of ancient Rome, covered in original stones. You’ll pass through the Forum along Via Sacra, where you'll view landmarks such as the Arch of Titus, the Temple of Divo Romolo, the Maxentius’ Basilica, the Temple and Grave of Julius Caesar, the Curia (Roman Senate), the Temple of Saturn, and much more. End the tour along Via dei Fori Imperiali to admire the Imperial Fora and Trajan’s Market.

Spend a leisurely morning amid the beautiful parks of Rome and the gardens of Roman villas. Depending on where you are, choose among Villa Borghese, Villa Pamphili, Villa Torlonia, or the Gianicolo Hill and discover the green spots of the city. Mingle with the locals, give your children some free space to play. Relax and admire the architectural details of the villas, enjoy a coffee or aperitivo. We recommend buying delicious fruits and snacks from one of the markets of Rome before you head to the gardens so you can pause for a picnic.

In the afternoon, you'll explore one of the most beautiful and popular sites in Italy, the Vatican, with the help of a private expert guide. You’ll discover the highlights of the Vatican Museums, climb the Dome, and visit St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as enjoy a walking tour of Saint Peter’s Square. With VIP passes, you can start early and skip the lines at the Vatican Museums, entering before it’s open to the general public. If you’d like to start later in the morning, you’ll still be able to skip the lines.

The highlight of the Vatican Museums certainly is the famous Sistine Chapel. You’ll first pass through the 16th-century Raphael Rooms, which feature paintings by Renaissance artists who adorned the walls of Pope Julius II’s apartment. As you enter the glorious Sistine Chapel, you’ll feast your eyes on Michelangelo’s incomparable frescoes. Look up and see the divine hand of God reaching out to Adam in the ever-famous depiction of the "Creation of Adam". Look ahead and see Michelangelo’s "Last Judgement", as Christ decides the fate of both the damned and blessed. Enjoy a few moments of silent reflection as you stand surrounded by masterpieces.

Next up are the Papal Palace collections. Explore the great Roman and Greek statues and marvel at the architecture of the buildings. You'll admire the heavily decorated Gallery of the Candelabras, enjoy the trompe l’oeil in the Gallery of the Tapestries, and learn about the history behind the impressive Gallery of the Maps. With your private guide, you can tailor your visit to include any highlights that interest you! You’ll learn about the fantastic history of the powerful popes and delight in bits of gossip and other little-known stories about life in Vatican City.

Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica and climb the Dome. From the top, you can admire a vast, panoramic view of Rome! Make your way directly into the Basilica and follow your private guide as you view the magnificent and ornate decor. Visit Michelangelo’s "Pietà" and walk Saint Peter’s square to admire the open-air gallery of the Vatican.

If you'd like to extend your tour, you can learn about the spectacular mosaics covering the internal surface of the calotta of Saint Peter Basilica’s dome and visit the Internal Fabbrica dei Mosaici di San Pietro, where you can see the super-selected artists designing and manufacturing the famous Saint Peter’s mosaics.

After a private transfer from your hotel to the train station in Rome, you’ll enjoy a comfortable high-speed train ride to Naples. This direct route takes about one hour and 15 minutes. At the train station in Naples, a private driver will transfer you the rest of the way to your accommodation in Sorrento, which takes about 45 minutes.

Sorrento is a long-time favorite with Italian and international vacationers for its beautiful views, tranquil atmosphere, and terraced lemon groves. Today is a full day to explore on your own, deciding where to go and how much time to spend on the beach. Whatever your interests we suggest starting with a walking tour of the historic town center.

The city's focal point is the Piazza Tasso, a central square built over a gorge that splits the city. Other notable sights in and around Sorrento include the nearby bay of Marina Piccola, the ruins of Villa Pollio in Capo di Sorrento, the church monastery San Francesco d'Assisi, the 11th-century Duomo, and the Basilica di Sant'Antonino. The latter houses the remains of Saint Anthony, Sorrento's patron saint, who died in the 7th century.

The beaches along the southern coast are some of the most beautiful in Italy. As a result of this, many people choose to spend all or part of their trip on this small stretch of coastline in the summertime, and the beaches can be extremely busy and overcrowded. In contrast to the small sandy bays around the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento’s beaches are rockier but the added advantage is there are fewer people surrounding you. The main beaches in the city are around the Marina Grande and Marina Piccola ports. A short drive away are some lesser-known beaches definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing day involving sunbathing and swimming in crystal clear waters. 

Enjoy a scenic boat tour along the incredible landscape of the Amalfi Coast and its two “pearls” of Positano and Amalfi. You’ll cruise along one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, stopping to admire its highlights, swim in its clear sea, and relax far from the crowds.

You’ll start in the morning from Sorrento and make your way to Amalfi, where you’ll enjoy plenty of time to see the sites, shop in the boutiques, and admire the town’s colorful and charming architecture. Along the way, you’ll pass landmarks, such as the ancient fishing village of Marina Grande, the ruins of a Roman villa near Bagni della Regina Giovanna, a natural waterfall, Leranto Bay, and other interesting attractions along the picturesque Sorrento coastline.

Admire the views of the Li Galli, Nerano, and Fiordo di Furore islands as you cruise along in a relaxing and traditional wooden gozzo boat. At some point, your captain will drop anchor so you can swim and hang out on board with snacks and drinks. You’ll enjoy 90 minutes each in Amalfi and Positano, ending your adventure with a limoncello tasting as you sail back to Sorrento. 

Enjoy a comfortable private transfer from your hotel in Sorrento to your accommodation in Naples, which takes about one hour. Along the way, you'll stop for a two-hour visit to Pompeii. An expert tour guide will lead you through these impressive ruins on an exciting excursion designed specifically for kids and families. Your tickets allow you to skip the line to make the most of your time.

Learn what makes authentic Neapolitan pizza the best pizza in the world with a family-friendly cooking class. Uncover all the secrets of this great Italian wonder in the exclusive company of a private chef. To start, your guide will lead you to the restaurant of one of the oldest families of Neapolitan pizza makers. Your pizzaiolo and his staff will greet you and introduce you to the art of pizza making, guiding you through every step of the process. Even toddlers can get in on the kneading process.

In a cozy and friendly atmosphere, you'll enjoy eating your delicious handmade lunch. This pizza class will enhance your experience of Naples and give you the chance to take the recipes back home. You can make these dishes whenever you want, impressing your family and friends with your newfound cooking skills.

Spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. Explore from Piazza Cavour and walk into the city center towards the magnificent Duomo di Napoli. The cathedral is dedicated to the Santa Maria Assunta, the assumption of the Virgin Mary. The San Lorenzo neighborhood has many churches to explore, but one of the most interesting is the Church of San Lorenzo Maggiore which hides the remains of an underground Greco-Roman market.

Further into the city, the main street Via Toledo leads to the waterfront. In this area are many grand buildings, including the Royal Palace, San Carlo Theatre, and the Castle Nuovo. Take your time to visit these three sites, including the two museums inside the castle. Along the Lungomare is a spectacular fountain, the Fontana dell Immacolatella. Here is a great place to end your day before taking the metro back to the top of the city.