Northern Italy Family Holiday

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure begins in Venice with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. 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 tour. 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 short ferry crossing (traghetto) over to the Rialto area – 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.

Say goodbye to Venice with a classic Venetian experience – a water taxi ride through the city’s scenic canals! Glide to Venezia Santa Lucia train station, where you’ll board a train and travel across northern Italy, headed towards the Italian Riviera. The region is known for its tree-covered mountains and colourful seaside towns. Your first stop is at one of the most charming of these villages – Levanto. While you’re here, join a local family for a hands-on pesto-making class, where you’ll chop and blend fresh basil, olive oil, and other traditional ingredients. After learning the secrets of this iconic Italian sauce, cooking at home will never be the same!

Today, you’ll walk right into those famous images you’ve seen of the Cinque Terre’s coastline and pastel villages on sharp cliff faces. Explore the region’s footpaths, weaving between the villages and past olive groves and vineyards to breathtaking vistas. You can walk just a few sections if you like – all available paths offer excellent views of the scenery. If you’d prefer to relax, you’re more than welcome to take a train from village to village.

Spend some time relaxing on the coastline – maybe go for a dip in the water or seek out 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?) This evening, enjoy a delicious, included dinner at a local restaurant – the perfect way to end the day. Afterward, perhaps take a walk around the Duomo or hunt down the best gelato in town.

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 search for yet another flavour of 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 and of 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 the renowned sunset view across the rooftops.

Take a train to Rome this morning – home to the Colosseum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. When you arrive, join your leader on an orientation walk around the city, where you’ll see some of the iconic sights like the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, the Forum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. The kids will love the gelato tasting that comes next! What’s in the running for your favourite flavour in the City of Seven Hills? Cool down with your choice, then soak up a final free night in Rome. You might like to rejoin the other families and find the best spot for dinner – maybe head to Trastevere and cheers to a trip well-travelled.