Italy Family Vacation: Rome to Amalfi Coast

In the morning, the scent of lilies and oleanders will emanate from the flower shops that are scattered around Rome. The fragrant flowers will fade beneath the aromas of espresso and pastries that drift out of the bars where locals enjoy their breakfasts before work. Your guide will meet your family in the hotel lobby for a day of ancient immersion, leading you into the depths of the Colosseum, the streets of the Roman Forum, and the stunning, preserved statues inside the Capitoline Hill Museum. Your family will marvel at the dramatic design and epic history of the Colosseum as you stand beneath the outer walls that stand 187 feet tall. The rich history of its construction will become tangible as you notice the remaining details that adorn the exterior, specifically the three different types of columns that decorate the various stories.

When you step inside the massive structure, your guide will impress your family with both fact and legend as their voice echoes across the amphitheater that once held up to 50,000 spectators. It will be easy to imagine the gladiatorial games that once took place at the center of screaming Roman citizens. For a special treat, you will go beneath the former stage into the Hypogeum, which is a labyrinth of walls and rooms where the gladiators once trained. Your children can imagine themselves practicing their technique before stepping in front of the enthusiastic crowd.

When you reach the Capitoline Hill Museum, the magnitude of the collection will strike you with awe while the size of some of the statues will mesmerize your children. Marble reliefs and statues depict the artistic aesthetic of the Roman Empire approximately two millennia ago, displaying frescoes that have been taken from palaces and temples. Your family will find a new and exciting view of the Roman Forum in the underground tunnel that connects the Palazzo Nuovo and the Palazzo dei Conservatori sections of the museums, giving way to the oversized marble heads that once topped the large sculptures.

Your guide will take you from the hotel to the stunning entrance of Vatican City at St. Peter’s Square in the morning. Your family will marvel at the sensational size of the dome that crowns the basilica, standing 448 feet above the plaza. After exploring the fascinating layers of the basilica, your guide will lead your family through the galleries of the museum, offering a glimpse of the incredible collection that highlights both the prestige of the Catholic Church through history and the culture of the Western World over time.

You will follow your guide as you notice the fantastic highlights that range from Egyptian mummies to Roman sarcophagi until you reach the Raphael Room. The former papal apartments will contain incredible frescoes that were painted by the Italian master Raphael. While your children look for the different designs or characters in the famous work School of Athens, the guide will provide unique insights into the processes of crafting the painting, as well as how Raphael used contemporary artists as references to historical Greek figures such as da Vinci and Michelangelo. The fresco helped connect the classical beliefs that reemerged during the Renaissance with the ideals of the artist in harmony with Christian theology.

Your private transfer will meet your family at the hotel in the morning and escort you to the train station for the high-speed train that will take you south to Naples. Upon reaching the pulsing pace of the southern city, you will continue by private transfer to the comforts of your hotel that overlook the glistening blue Tyrrhenian Sea. Your kids will marvel at the sight of the Castle dell’Ovo that rises out of a small peninsula. The strong, dramatic figure will resemble a fairytale castle with kings, queens, knights, and princesses.

During a mouthwatering street food tour, your guide will take you on a fabulous introductory tour of Naples that will pass through the enchanting aromas of arancini, which are fried rice balls, and the delightful scent of stewing ragú. You will traverse the historic main street of Via Toledo where local children will play soccer and teenagers will pass the time by watching passersby and snacking on gelato. Your family will become enamored with the flavors of Naples when you sample your first traditional pizza Margherita, which is named after the first queen of a United Italy in the nineteenth century. The simple flavors from the handmade dough, tomato sauce, melted buffalo mozzarella, and herbaceous basil will combine for a fantastic bite of customary Neapolitan tastes.

In the morning, Naples will fill with the scent of delicious sfogliatelle, which is a pastry that resembles a shell with delicate, flaky layers and is often stuffed with cream. Your guide will meet your family at the hotel for a fascinating tour into the historic heart of the city, beginning with the National Archeological Museum. The beauty of the ancient Roman empire will once again become the focus of your tour inside the museum as your family will discover captivating works that date back thousands of years, such as the colossal, 10-foot-tall marble statue of Hercules that was uncovered in the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. The mythic figure bulges with muscles and leans on his club after having defeated and skinned the Nemean lion.

You will continue your exploration of Naples by venturing inside the Capodimonte Royal Palace, bringing to light the elegance, prestige, and wealth of the former royal family. The complex houses more than 500 pictures that decorate the royal apartments, accentuating the eighteenth-century furniture majolica décor and porcelain collection. The assortment of art that has been amassed over the course of the royal family’s history includes works by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Botticelli. Portraits by Titian acted as the base for the Neapolitan National Gallery, depicting the family in the regal pomp of the time period. The Salottino di Porcellana remains an exuberant example of eighteenth-century flair with the walls and ceilings decorated with lavish, thick porcelain stucco.

After exploring the grandeur of the former royal palace, your family will have a private introduction into the historic artwork of mosaics. You will learn the best methods for outlining your designs and using the proper tools for breaking the tiles before molding them together to hold their unique and desired shapes. Your kids will find the art majestic and the ability to use a small chisel thrilling as you put together a dazzling custom-made art piece as if it were an impressive puzzle.

Your driver will meet you at the hotel in the morning ready to escort your family to the charming streets of Positano, but before transferring you around the gorgeous Bay of Naples to reach the Amalfi Coast, your private guide will immerse you in the ancient history of the region that is steeped in the legendary eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Your riveting tour of the ancient world will begin at Pompeii where the renowned city is covered in up to 20 feet of pumice and ash.

The casing around Pompeii helped preserve the mosaics, frescoes, and architecture for later generations and also offer a deeper knowledge of the daily life of the Roman port city. Your guide will lead your family along the treasured, cobbled boulevards to stand at the Roman Forum, where you will find the remains of the Temple of Jupiter. The structure was constructed in the year 80 BC after the colony was founded and once contained three cult statues of Jupiter. The enduring foundations stand beneath the looming figure of Mount Vesuvius in the background, revealing how close the active volcano remains.

Pompeii reflects the grandeur of the former, wealthy Roman port while Herculaneum will unveil more information about the lives of regular Romans in the preserved furniture, rooftops, and vases that are filled with oils and wine. The square structure that houses the College of Augustales was devoted to the cult of Emperor Augustus. The columns and arches retain their strength and give way to a lavish fresco that depicts Hercules as he entered Mount Olympus and another that features Hercules as he wrestled Achelous.

In the morning light, you will have a spectacular view of Positano, which is the most westerly town on the famous Amalfi Coast. The pastel-colored homes will climb the steep, maritime slopes that are fringed by terraced vineyards and lemon groves. The azure waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea will lap at the sands of Spiaggia Grande while the cafes set out tables and chairs along the cobbled lanes to that will provide ample panoramas of the coastline and the subtle scent of the sea breeze.

Your private driver will meet your family at the hotel ready to take you along the stunning scenery and gorgeous architecture for which the coastline is known. The splendor will become most notable in the town of Amalfi, where bright umbrellas will shade lounge chairs on the small stretch of pebbled beach, and the short boardwalk will offer a delightful place for your family to take a stroll. The town is the oldest maritime republic in Italy, gaining wealth through a long-standing trade with exotic destinations like the Byzantine empire.

The remarkable beauty of the architecture weaves into the mouth of the Valle dei Mulini with the main piazza capturing the former wealth and power of the navy in the elaborate design of the cathedral. Local children will kick the soccer ball around the small streets that lead to the main square while your family can climb the 62 steps that lead to the portico. The eleventh-century bronze doors will glint in the sunlight, once again reflecting the strength of trade between Amalfi and the Byzantines. The interior of the cathedral will spark wonder in your family as you walk beneath the lavish frescoes that decorate the vaulted ceilings.

You will return to Positano in the afternoon for a family-friendly ceramics class where you will learn how to craft using the famous majolica method. Your guide will demonstrate how to mold the clay into your desired shape and then baste the clay with an opaque white glaze that requires low heating, which will allow you to paint on top shortly following the application of heat. The layered base will keep the shape and integrity of your piece, and when the piece is finally fired in the kiln, it will become a handmade reminder of the Amalfi Coast that your family will take home.

You will travel by ferry to the Marina Grande on Capri in the morning where you will notice the captivating sea walls of the island that rise upwards of 200 feet above the Tyrrhenian waters. The image of colorful fishing boats wading in the marina will set a charming scene and enchanting introduction to the celebrated island that is known for capturing the hearts of Roman emperors and celebrities. You will take the funicular to the Piazzetta that tops the plateau where locals and visitors enjoy breakfast with a view over the azure sea.

The day on the island will be at your family’s whim, allowing you to wander along the cobbled streets of Capri Town that is lined with boutique shops, or to traverse the Phoenician steps to the town of Anacapri where the serene panoramic views across the island lead to the elegant hand-painted ceramic tiles that decorate the floor. For a stunning experience on the island, your family can venture to the Gardens of Augustus, which is a botanical complex with a leafy terrace and pergolas that are framed by blossoming flowers. A ribbon of walkways leads to the lookout with majestic views of the famous Faraglioni Sea Stacks nearly 300 feet below.

Upon returning to Positano in the evening, you will have a private cooking tour that will be perfect for your whole family with a focus on crafting the perfect Neapolitan pizza. Your private chef will uncover the secrets to preparing and cooking the best dough, which includes the ideal temperature for cooking the pizza in a woodfire oven. You and the kids will help mold the dough, getting the sticky combination of water and flour on your fingers before adding the best combination of toppings. You can sample selected, local vegetables and cheeses for a deeper connection to the regional cuisine, and when the pizzas are finished, you will dig into the delicious combination of tart, savory, crunchy, and milky flavors that stem from the sauce, cheese, and dough.

The shops of Positano will open in the morning, returning the vibrant ambiance to the cobbled lanes that wind up the hillside. The popular cobbler on Via Mulini continues to make handmade sandals for customers amid the exuberant facades of town that are painted white, pink, yellow, and green. At breakfast, your kids will share their favorite moments during your trip, ranging from the traditional Neapolitan pizza to the rich history of Pompeii. Your private transfer will greet your family at the hotel after breakfast and escort you to Naples Airport for your flight home.