Family-Friendly Tour of Italy: Rome, Tuscany, Venice

What to expect on this itinerary
Rome, Tuscany, and Venice become your entrance into ways of the Old World during your custom-tailored Italy family tour embracing tradition. Enjoy an immersion into the timeless history of ancient ruins and sophisticated art, fabled cuisine, and grand architecture. Follow in the footsteps of gladiators and discover a medieval town standing on a soaring stone bluff. Uncover clues to the secrets of the Doge’s Palace and witness the grandeur of Michelangelo’s David. Bask in the tranquility of Tuscany’s renowned rolling hills and find a sweeping panorama of ancient Rome during your family vacation in unforgettable Italy. Begin planning your dream Italy family vacation by visiting the Italy family vacation itineraries page on Zicasso.
Customizable Itinerary
Rome – Arrive in Charming Rome with an Immersive Ancient History Tour
Rome is a fascinating city combining the eternal splendor of an empire with the evolving ambiance of the contemporary culture surrounding the banks of the Tiber River. Ponte Sant’Angelo crosses over the waterway connecting the heart of the ancient city with the former edges in front of the scenic Castle Sant’Angelo. The bridge was originally erected in the 2nd century and Bernini decorated the walkway with the 10 angel figures continuing to stand above the rushing Tiber waters. Your flight lands at Fiumicino Airport where your private transfer greets the family upon arrival.
The streets bustle with life around the boutique shops on Via Cola di Rienzo and the artisan studios in the chic neighborhood of Monti. After taking time to settle into the comforts of your accommodation, your guide greets the family in the hotel lobby for an introductory tour of Ancient Rome. The grand arena was a gift to the people of Rome inaugurated in 80 AD with a capacity of holding up to 50,000 spectators.
The Hypogeum reveals a hidden wonder of the labyrinth once confined beneath the wooden arena floor where gladiators trained. The arena contained 36 separate trap doors used during tournaments, games, and shows for special effects adding to the luster of events. The family has the special opportunity of going to the top of the Colosseum on the third level providing a fabulous panorama of the Roman Forum and Arch of Constantine reflecting the marvels of the empire’s preserved legacy.
What's Included:
Rome – Enjoy a Rome Walking Tour and Explore the Vatican’s Museums
Tuscany - Discover Orvieto’s Historic Streets en route to Val di Pesa
Tuscany – Relish a Pasta-Making Class, Olive Oil Tasting, and Castle Dinner
Tuscany – Find the Artistic, Political, and Architectural History of Florence
Venice – Travel to Venice for a Gondola Tour and St. Mark’s Square Outing
Venice – Search for Clues at the Doge’s Palace and Craft a Venetian Mask
Venice – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Relish the artistic intrigue of Florence while visiting the Accademia for Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of David
- Sample delicious olive oil while indulging in the marvelous flavors of hand-made pasta on a Tuscan farm with a private family-friendly cooking class
- Discover the serene canals of Venice with a gondola ride introducing you to the grandeur of La Serenisima
- Enjoy the art of making a traditional Venetian mask for Carnival with over 60 features deriving from the Commedia dell’Arte
- Bask in the grand characteristics of the Pantheon in Rome celebrated for its remarkable architectural design and noble tombs
- Witness the opulent work of Michelangelo inside the St. Peter’s Basilica in the form of the mesmerizing Pietà
- Experience the marvels of Ancient Rome on a private walking tour taking you to the newly refurbished top of the Colosseum for a panoramic view
- Uncover clues to a hidden mystery inside the Doge’s Palace in Venice where magnificent frescoes, elaborate apartments and the Staircase of the Giants decorate the opulent and secret galleries
- Enter the hidden chambers of Palazzo Vecchio for incredible frescoes depicting the Medici family and a room full of immersive period costumes
Detailed Description
Your 8-day Italy family tour is an immersive adventure into Roman antiquity and the warm culture of Tuscany, the opulent lives of Venetian nobles and the lavish artwork of the Florentine Renaissance. The heritage of history becomes tangible embracing the past for its rich differences highlighting the ways in which contemporary life has evolved. Your remarkable exploration takes you to the iconic cities of Rome, Florence, and Venice while leading the family away from the crowds for intimate experiences unveiling the complexities and intricacies of Italy, sure to capture the imaginations of children of all ages.
Rome is the capital of Italy and foundational in the Western World’s cultural emergence. Two nights in the captivating city lets the family become deeply involved in the majesty of antique art decorating ancient architecture surrounding the modern pace of the people. Explore the Colosseum and Roman Forum for a different perspective on the ancient world and its preserved architectural integrity. Traverse the streets of the historic city center where Baroque, Renaissance, and ancient beauty combine. Discover the immeasurable grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum, home to works by Raphael, da Vinci, Giotto, and Michelangelo.
Tuscany possesses an engrossing spirit emanating from the treasured rolling hills and cypress trees. Three days surrounded by the charms of vineyards, and olive orchards provide you access to the Umbria. Umbria is known for its sensational cathedral and ancient foundations, in addition to celebrated flavors of Tuscany’s regional cuisine. Make pasta from scratch under the guidance of a traditionalist chef, and sample olive oil pressed on a local orchard. Enjoy dinner in a historical castle and witness the marvels of the Renaissance in Florence. Whether visiting the Accademia to view Michelangelo’s David or wandering through Palazzo Vecchio in search of a hidden chamber filled with frescoes, the city embodies the gorgeous essence of Tuscany.
Venice contains countless stories trickling through the canals and legends spreading from the domes of St. Mark’s Cathedral. Two nights in the captivating city allows the family time to explore the waterways on a traditional gondola and uncover the mysteries of St. Mark’s Square. Find secret rooms filled with magnificent mysteries in the Doge’s Palace and capture the opulence of Carnival when crafting handmade masks in the fashion of the Commedia dell’Arte. Stroll alongside the Grand Canal, wander over the iconic footbridges and dine at friendly restaurants overlooking the lapping water for a complete understanding of the fascinating city.
We work closely with the best Italy family travel services to ensure that you have a fully personalized trip of a lifetime.
Starting Price
$2,900 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 6971 reviews
Our trip was absolutely amazing and the planning done by Zicasso's travel company surpassed my expectations. The attention to detail was amazing: from excellent and punctual drivers to assistants who helped us with the water taxis in Venice to the lounge access for trains. It was truly white-glove service that made my trip seamless and allowed me to enjoy every moment because every detail was handled.
The excursions were fantastic. I especially enjoyed the cooking class at a farm in Tuscany and the Vespa tours in Rome. There was a nice mix of private excursions for the walking tours and boat rides, to a few shared excursions, such as the cooking class.
The hotels the travel company booked were chic, boutiquey Italian hotels and each had its own charm (from the former palace in Venice to the castle in Chianti), and we loved them. We would absolutely recommend to anyone booking a trip to Italy!
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Zicasso's team was excellent with planning and execution of the itinerary to meet our specific needs.
I was able to add an additional city on short notice!
We had knowledgeable local city guides and all drivers were professional.
We had a wonderful family trip!
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We had an excellent experience with Zicasso's travel company. We are a family of four and spent 18 nights going through Italy and France. We worked with the company to make arrangements to see the cities and sites we wanted to visit. They offered great options for hotels and activities. They stayed in close contact with us during the trip and made additional arrangements upon request. The company provided outstanding service making arrangements and during the trip. We were very satisified and have already recommended them to our friends.
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I can confidently say that Zicasso's travel specialist is truly dedicated to providing her clients a luxury experience. From the outset, we had a 20-minute call where she wanted to learn about our dream vacation and get to know us. She was attentive to every request we made and organized our itinerary accordingly. During the trip, she texted us daily to inform us about our drivers and guides for the next day. Additionally, she checked to ensure our trip was progressing smoothly.
Here are some highlights:
Rome: We were greeted at the airport by our agent, who expedited our passage through passport control. The following day, we started our exploration at the Vatican. Our agent had purchased our tickets in advance, allowing us to skip the line. She also planned the remainder of our self-guided tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and other ancient sights. We accomplished so much in just two days!
Florence: We took part in a pasta-making class with a chef who was fantastic! Her husband was also quite charming. Our experience there was truly wonderful. Special thanks to our driver, who was incredibly helpful and informative.
Sorrento (Amalfi Coast): We began with a visit to Pompeii, where our guide, also arranged by our agent, was spectacular! His passion and extensive knowledge made the experience enjoyable. Next, we had a fun blind wine tasting. When we arrived at our amazing hotel, we were greeted with a surprise.
While in Rome, we encountered a minor issue, which our agent resolved quickly. She even went above and beyond by ordering us a bottle of prosecco to celebrate. We also took a car tour of Positano and Ravello, guided by a local from Ravello who was informative, knowledgeable, and delightful. We loved her! Our day ended with a lovely sunset cruise off the coast! Both days had excellent drivers.
This trip was a dream come true for my husband and me. Without a doubt, our agent made it the luxurious experience we desired. I highly recommend her and her team!
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The trip went very well! Our Zicasso travel specialist did a thorough job planning our vacation to Italy. We would definitely use her again.
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Our trip was a 10 out of 10! There is no way it could have been any better. Zicasso's travel expert and the tour company's team were incredibly responsive (not that we had any issues) and the itinerary was so impeccably curated.
Every greeter, driver, and tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and professional, and hotels were immaculate. It was such a relief to know that every last detail was taken care of and we didn't have to worry about anything.
We highly recommend our travel company and would definitely use them again.
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