Northern 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 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. (B)

Start your day with a classic Venetian experience – a water taxi ride through the city’s scenic canals to Venezia Santa Lucia train station. From here, board a train and travel across northern Italy towards the Ligurian coast for a day trip to the Italian Riviera – a region known for its tree-covered mountains and colourful seaside towns. Your first stop is Levanto, a charming town nestled between a wooded valley and the sea. During your time 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! (B/D)

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. (B)

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?) 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. (B/D)

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. (B)

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 trip well-travelled. (B)

With no activities planned for today, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, and visit the Vatican or take a tour of the Colosseum, just speak to your booking agent. (B)