Best of Italy Family Holiday

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure begins in Venice with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. This watery wonderland of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas – practically unchanged for 600 years – is literally sinking under the weight of its sites. If you arrive early, there are plenty of things to keep you and the family busy. Take a walk around the maze of streets behind Piazza San Marco and begin to understand the complex canal system of Venice. The Grand Canal is a great place to start, as you can stroll over the Rialto Bridge and browse the endless amounts of boutique shops that sell Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware. After the meeting, enjoy dinner with the other families at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, venture out with the family and explore Venice on an orientation walk. There are only two ways to get around this city – on foot or by boat. Wander around at the Doge’s Palace, the Piazza and Basilica di San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs, taking in the views of the waterways as you go. Then, take a quick gondola ride over to Rialto – the heart of the city. Take some free time to explore the city and consider catching a Vaporetto (water bus) to San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for a panoramic view of Venice. Otherwise, travel down the Grand Canal via Venetian gondola and immerse yourself in the waterside culture, or check out the Palazzo Ducale, overflowing with paintings from Italian masters. Meet up again in the afternoon at the private workshop of a professional mask maker, where you’ll learn to make your own mask using traditional working methods treasured by the people of the city.

Take a morning trip to the Italian Riviera – studded with tree-coated mountainsides and colourful towns sitting in the background of the Ligurian Sea. The first stop is Levanto – sitting between a thickly wooded valley and the ocean. During your stay here, chop and blend up basil, olive oil and other ingredients at a fun pesto-making class with a local family. Once you’ve grasped these traditional Italian culinary techniques, cooking at home will undoubtedly become that much better!

Venture out on the footpaths of Cinque Terre – a region famed for its coastline and pastel villages on sharp cliff faces. These paths weave between the villages past olive groves and vineyards and on to breathtaking vistas. You can walk just a few sections if you like – all available paths offer excellent views of the scenery. Otherwise, you’re more than welcome to take a train from village to village if you’d prefer to relax.

Spend some time relaxing on the coastline – maybe go for a dip in the water or source some fresh local seafood. After, you’ll take an early afternoon train to Florence, stopping at Pisa along the way. Enjoy some time to explore the Piazza dei Miracoli (the Miracles Square) while taking in the intricately structured architecture of Duomo Cathedral, Piazza Del Duomo and of course, the World Heritage-listed Leaning Tower of Pisa. Grab the iconic photo with your kids (does it look like they’re pinching the tower?) When you’ve seen the sites, carry on to Florence and maybe spend the night walking around the Duomo or searching for the best pizza.

This morning, head out on a leader-led orientation walk in Florence and take in the beauty of this art haven. Stop at Piazzale Michelangelo and then enjoy a free afternoon to see the sights at your own pace. The kids might like to go on the hunt for a refreshing gelato, or if the family is seeking out more art, there are plenty of museums to check out. Maybe visit the Uffizi – one of the world's oldest art galleries and a work of art in itself. If you want to see Michelangelo's iconic statue of David, head to the Galleria dell' Accademia. In the evening, maybe climb back up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a renowned sunset view across the rooftops.

Take a train to Rome this morning – home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colosseum. When you arrive, join your leader on an orientation walk around the city, where you’ll see some of the iconic sites like the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, the Forum, the Victor Emmanuel Monument, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. The kids will love the gelato tasting that comes next! Hunt for the best flavour in the City of Seven Hills to cool down, then soak up a free night. You might like to rejoin the other families and find the best spot for dinner – maybe head to Trastevere to find a little candlelit table and cheers to a good group!

Today is a full free day to explore Rome at your own pace. Maybe check out the inside of the Colosseum – as you witness the sheer scale of the tiered seating that circles this architectural marvel, you can imagine the roar of ancient crowds as gladiators fought in the arena. Or, you could check out the Vatican Museums. Beyond the must-see Sistine Chapel, you can also see the Vatican Gardens (accessible only by guided minibus tour), where popes have walked in prayer for more than 700 years, or visit the impressive Gallery of Geographical Maps, where forty maps of Italy’s regions fill a 120-m-long corridor and frescoes line the ceiling. You’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet the new members of your group. After, perhaps head out for pizza, pasta and wine – when in Rome!

Jump on the train today as you journey to one of the world’s most famous ancient sites – the preserved city of Pompeii. On 26 August 79 AD, Mt Vesuvius erupted, spewing molten rock and ash all over the city and causing a thriving Roman trading centre to be frozen in time. Spend a few hours on a walking tour around Pompeii – you and your kids will be captivated by the incredible stories behind this ancient tragedy as your local guide brings the history to life. The finely preserved ruins include villas, temples, theatres and a once-bustling marketplace. Your hotel this evening is located very close to the archaeological site, so you won’t have far to go once you decide to call it a day.

This morning, head to Mt Vesuvius for a short walk to the summit for views over the Bay of Naples. Soak up the view and snap plenty of photos before walking across the cinders to the lip of the central crater. Don’t worry – although Mt Vesuvius is still considered to be an active volcano, the last eruption was in 1944 and there's no sign of recent volcanic activity. See first-hand the awesome power of the volcano that engulfed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, then make the descent. Continue to the Amalfi Coast town of Minori – a beloved holiday spot for thousands of years. With its fine piazzas, maze of old streets, sidewalk cafes and sparkling ocean, there is truly something for everyone here. Arrive around lunchtime, then soak up a free afternoon to explore at your own pace.

Take a free day to explore Minori at your own (or your kids) pace. There are many beaches to choose from, though the nicer ones will be more crowded (particularly during summer, from June to August). Hire a few deck chairs if you want to relax, or if you’re feeling active, maybe rent a paddle boat or kayak and explore the sea. The walk from Minori to Ravello is also beautiful and a great way to see the region – while it’s only about an hour each way, it’s steep and there are a lot of steps, so it’s moderately difficult. The views along the way more than make up for any huffing and puffing but remember to pack plenty of water and sunscreen before leaving. Tonight, why not head out to a local restaurant with your family and try the Minori speciality, scialatielli (thick ribbons of fresh pasta).

Leave Minori in the rear-view mirror this morning and make the drive past mountains to an agriturismo – a working farm that also provides meals and accommodation. While you won’t be staying here tonight, you will get to spend 1.5 hours in the gorgeous surrounds, sampling produce grown on site – a sure way to get your kids to eat their veggies! Continue to Sorrento, another beautiful resort town, famous for its lemons and surrounding plunging cliffs. Arrive early in the afternoon and enjoy free time to explore.

Head to the port this morning and board a lifted hydrofoil boat to Capri. Cruise across the Bay of Naples before arriving in the holiday destination favoured by the Roman emperors. Capri’s dramatic rocky coastline is pierced by natural grottoes, while narrow roads wind inland through citrus groves, past villages of white houses with flower-filled gardens. Though its unmatched setting and natural beauty means it’s popular with visitors, there are still many hidden corners and treasures to explore. Wander around the Marina Grande and the little town of Capri before taking a bus up to Anacapri for the best views of the island and bay from the top of Monte Solaro (reachable by cable car). Around mid-afternoon, you’ll take the ferry back to Sorrento, where you'll learn the secrets behind Italy's famous sweet treat in a gelato making demonstration – yum!

There are many options for your free morning today – maybe grab a gelato while you’re here, as Sorrento has some of the finest scoops in Italy. This afternoon, you’ll get a hands-on lesson in crafting everyone’s favourite Italian dish – pizza! Watch a cooking demonstration in a gorgeous location (an agriturismo with incredible views of Mt Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples), then enjoy the fruits (or dough) of your labour for dinner. Eat, laugh and enjoy a glass of wine while the kids explore the farm alongside the adorable wild rabbits. Soak in the southern Italian hospitality and toast to your final night on this family adventure.

Wave arrivederci to Italy and your new friends – with no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Those who have booked transfers will be taken to the airport to board their onward plane, while those who have not are free to leave at any time after check-out. If you need help booking extra accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.