Family Excursion Through Rome & Florence

Today you will begin with an experience you and your family will never forget. You will arrive in this ancient, unmatched city and be met by your driver, who will take you to your luxurious hotel in the center of the city. Once you are settled in unpacked, you will be transferred to one of the most innovative and famous coffee shops in the world for a taste that you will not forget. Opened in 1800, your first stop will be the home of a fire-roasted coffee that some say creates the best flavors in Rome. As they craft this classic brew, elements of the process will be hidden behind a barrier to keep their world-famous method a secret. You can pair your authentic Italian coffee with a choice of the fresh pastries that have been made with local ingredients, and before you leave, you can pick up a bag of their high-quality coffee beans to take home with you.

After your coffee has cleared the cobwebs of international travel, you can venture across the street to the Piazza Navona. This square is heralded for its Baroque design, lively environment, and Bernini Fountain of the River at its center. Today, you will end your sightseeing experience with a private tour of the Leonardo da Vinci Museum. Here, you can witness his works, ideas, and goals through 3D holograms and prototypes that were designed from his notes and blueprints. Better yet, you will experience some of his work firsthand through interaction with the items that are on display, allowing you to enter the mind of this creative master.

You will begin your day with a light breakfast before begin whisked away by your driver who will transfer you to your private tour of the Colosseum. Here, you can stroll happily past the long, crowded lines up to one of the most culturally and architecturally significant structures in the world. Your tour guide will offer you the most exclusive experience of touring the Colosseum firsthand. You will be guided onto the platform where the emperor would sit to watch the games, and you will be able to hear the echo of the crowd as you stand where the gladiators once stood in the center of the arena. Finally, you will experience a new addition to this tour that has just recently become available.

Deep below the arena floor sits a fascinating maze of tunnels that lead to passages and chambers where the entrants would await their deadly matches. Gladiators would wait here and prepare for their fights to the death, but these holding areas also include what’s called the hypogeum. The hypogeum held cages for elephants, leopards, bears, lions, and tigers who would also participate in battles for spectators to enjoy. This area was only recently opened to the public, and tours are very limited. Your guide will walk you through the confusing maze of passages, taking you through the chambers and pointing out the various cages and systems that were used. You will also have the opportunity to see the elevator-like pulley system, which was used by slaves to lift the animals from the hypogeum up to the arena floor.

You will finish your time at the Colosseum with the chance to train like a gladiator. The perfect family activity of Gladiator School is led by highly trained historical re-enactors. You will begin with a tour through the local museum, which holds ancient artifacts, armor, and weapons that were actually used by gladiators. You can try on the armor and feel the authentic history that surrounds you before you and your family members are all given a tunic and leather gloves before being led through a lesson of genuine gladiator swordplay.

Today, your adventure begins early with a brief ride to Pompeii. You and your family will be traveling back in time to explore this ancient city, as its ruins have seemingly been frozen in time under the shadows of Mount Vesuvius.

Upon your arrival in Pompeii, your driver will lead you to the hotel that you will be spending the night in, giving you time to settle your belongings before embarking on the ancient ruins tour of a lifetime. Your driver will be ready to whisk you away on a tour through three cities that have been buried by the ashes of Vesuvius. You will begin on the wide cobblestone streets of Pompeii itself, where your guide will lead you through the Casa del Menandro or the House of Menander. This stands out as a highlight of the city as its 1,800 square meter area is imbued with ancient architectural detail, stunning art, and even Roman graffiti, giving us clues to who might have been the owner of this prestigious home when the volcano erupted. You will see incredibly well-preserved art that depicts scenes from the Iliad, the Wooden Horse from Troy, and Cassondra in some rooms, while others house the skeletons of those victims that have been found in the home. You will then experience the Roman created Temple of Apollo and touch the archaic stones that were used to build this 6th century BC structure.

Following your tour of Pompeii, your guide will lead you to Torre Annunziata, which was a once-thriving seat of the pasta industry that was destroyed in the Vesuvius eruption. You can walk through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Villa Oplontis, which is rumored to have been a summer home for the Empress of Rome, the second wife of Emperor Nero.

Once in Herculaneum, you will walk streets that have been restored to give you a feel for this ancient city that was frozen in its tracks. You can traverse the famous geometrical patterns of the streets of this city that overlook the bay. Your guide will show you the remains of the sporting grounds of the city, which contains a communal swimming pool and public baths near the beachfront. Because the public baths were not in the path of the flow of the lava from the eruption, they have been remarkably well preserved.

Early this morning, your private driver and local guide will meet you at your hotel. You can relax in the comfort of your town car as your driver expertly navigates the quick thirty-minute drive down the Amalfi Coast to safely deliver you to famous Naples. Your driver will give you the special delight of driving along the jaw-dropping vista of the coastal highway, taking you 500 feet above the sparkling expanse of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. You should have your camera ready because this is a drive that you will not soon forget.

Your short transfer with breathtaking views will lead you to the oldest castle in Naples, Castle dell’Ovo, which is a site that is linked to the cultural history of Naples itself. It was believed that Virgil hid an egg within a cage deep in the basements of this castle, and the fate of the city was supposedly linked to the fate of this hidden egg. This legend was held so closely that when an arch of the castle collapsed in the early 1300s, the presiding Queen announced that the egg had been safely replaced in order to pacify the rising panic of the citizens. Your tour guide will lead you through the Castle, describing its rich history and features before culminating your tour in peak position for you to indulge in an incredible panoramic view of the Bay of Naples.

Following your first tour of the day, your guide will lead you to what is widely believed to be the world’s first pizzeria. Naples is famous around the world for its creation of the Margherita and Neapolitan pizza. You can taste the slice or slices of your choice, choosing between the classics or a more modern choice like their fried pizza. Your guide will also mention that this is the birthplace of the quintessentially Italian dish.

After lunch, you will transfer to a private, underground tour of this charming city. Your guide will lead you through the dark and narrow passages that contain ancient aqueducts, secret passageways, and catacombs before learning the history of these hidden areas, taking in the wall art along the way that has been left by citizens of Naples at different times throughout history.

From gastronomy to the charming atmosphere, you will now have spent two days of experiencing much of the very best that Naples and Pompeii had to offer. Today, you can relax and enjoy a slow and leisurely day on the in the water at one of the world’s most breathtaking lakes. Lake Albano is only a short drive from the center of Rome, and your town car will pick you up in the late morning to transfer you to this volcanic lake that is nestled in the rolling green hills of Lazio. This lake hosted the 1960 Summer Olympics’ canoeing and rowing events, and its beauty has inspired classical art pieces by artists such as George Inness and Sylvester Shchedrin.

Your guide will be ready for you with kayaks at the water’s edge, and together, you will paddle through the pristine, cold waters of this exceptional crater lake. Your guide will be delighted to move at your pace, whether you are looking to relax and absorb the views or experience more of an exercise. You will be shown sites such as ancient Roman ports, sites of battles, and a prehistoric village, all while being surrounded by the picturesque roofs and streets of the town of Castel Gandolfo.

You will return to the beach where you can take the time to stretch out on the black volcanic sand and to soak in the sun and the atmosphere of this little oasis. Once you are ready, your guide will lead you up to the quaint streets of the town, where you will indulge in a wine tasting and light lunch at a restaurant that overlooks the lake. This rustic eatery has been open since the 1880s and has perfected the classic seafood and meat dishes of the area.

After lunch, you will stroll through the narrow streets and charming piazzas of the town. Your guide will point out the Papal Palace of Pope Urban VIII, which was crafted as a papal respite from the city in the 17th century. You will also be led through the town center, which holds celebrated art and architecture from the region’s history. Tomorrow, you have an early day, so your private car will return you to your hotel in the early evening.

Today, you will begin early with a luxurious ride in a first-class train car. During the journey, you will have the chance to relax and enjoy the short ride as you travel through the hills and valleys of Italy. You will arrive in Tuscany’s capital by mid-morning, giving you plenty of time to enjoy some of the most remarkable sites that are offered by the City of Lilies and the Birthplace of the Renaissance. We have arranged a transfer from the train to your hotel, so you will not have to worry about a thing as you prep for the last leg of your trip.

From your hotel, your private tour guide will pick you up to begin your VIP tour of the Uffizi Gallery. On this tour, you will be led through the work by Giotto, Duccio, da Vinci, and the Medici. Your expert guide will answer any and all of your questions about the artists and their work here at the Uffizi. From this section, you will be guided to a view that few are able to truly enjoy: the panoramic vista from the windows of the gallery. These windows offer an interrupted view of the Piazza degli Uffizi, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Vasari Corridor. Once you have thoroughly admired the view, you will walk through the masterpieces of Michelangelo, Raphael, Titan, and Caravaggio.

For lunch, you will delight in a breathtaking view of the Arno River and the streets of Florence from a hidden gem on the banks of the river. The tranquil surroundings and rich Tuscan cuisine of this restaurant will combine to make this an unforgettable meal. Your private car will meet you after your lunch to take you to the Galileo Museum, which is an experience that will delight those of all ages. Museo Galileo boasts a massive collection of tools that were designed by the man himself in addition to collections from the Medici family. You can walk through the halls that have been dedicated to Galileo to get a feel for one of the world’s greatest thinkers, astronomers, and engineers. You will even be able to try and read the time of day and year with the Monumental Sundial that is stationed to face south towards the river.

Today, you will wake up and enjoy a freshly brewed and perfectly Italian latte before exploring Florence together. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Duomo II, which is an essential experience for any trip to Florence. Here, you will meet your guide who will talk you through one of the world’s most famous and most intricately designed cathedrals. Designed in 1296, a visit to Duomo II is a trip to the past that cannot be replicated in America. The best way to appreciate the work of Filippo Brunelleschi along with the sweeping views of Florence is by climbing the steps to the top of the cathedral. You will follow your expert guide up the 463 stairs that lead to the top of this awe-inspiring structure. The climb will all be well worth it once you reach the peak and are able to delight in the incredible view of Florence.

After descending back to the floor level, you will have most likely worked up an appetite. Your guide will lead you across the Piazza della Signoria, pointing out the important architectural pieces and deep history that can be found here. For lunch, you will eat at a restaurant that serves authentic Tuscan cuisine. Your delicious lunch will be paired with a wine that was created by one of Florence’s most renowned families. The Frescobaldi family amounts to royalty in the history of Florence, and a taste of their locally crafted wine is the best way to experience an authentic taste of Florence.

After lunch, you can delight in one of Florence’s top gelato eateries. Located just a stone’s throw from Duomo II, this Gelateria is famous for gelato that is incredibly creamy and flavorful. You can order a cup or cone of the gelato of your choice, including toppings such as white chocolate, pistachio sauce, coffee, and an unbelievably airy tiramisu mousse. You will be amazed by the colorful and detailed display of this frozen delicacy. You may take your delicious gelato to go so that you can enjoy it on your next stop.

With your gelato in hand, you can take a stroll through the sunny Boboli Gardens, which is one of Florence’s largest and most beautiful parks. You will pass through sculptures, fountains, and even caves that were created between the 16th and 18th centuries, and together, you can discover the many pathways of these gardens and the Roman antiquities that can be found here. You will end your day with a Michelin-starred meal that will be complete with an open-view kitchen and a charming, outdoor seating. This restaurant uses herbs and vegetables that it grows on its private farm and hand-makes its bread each day to create a dining experience that is truly unique.

For your final day in Florence, you will begin with a late morning and a traditional Tuscan cooking class. Created to work for families of all varieties, this experience will allow you to bring home a true taste of Tuscany with the ability to recreate the incredible flavors that are specific to this cuisine. Your personal, professional chef will lead you through the local market, guiding you and your family through choosing the best ingredients to craft your traditional dish. Examples of some of the meals that you may cook are homemade pasta or classic bruschetta. From here, you and your family will be privately guided through the crafting of a perfect Tuscan meal with hands-on assistance from your instructor. You will finish your class by enjoying your handmade meal together along with a wine that will be paired specifically for the dish that you and your family create. Your expert instructor will also gift you a recipe booklet before you leave, so you are able to recreate the meal as a family upon your return home.

After your cooking class, your private driver will be waiting to transfer you and your family back to Rome for your flight home. It will have surely been a trip to remember, and you may even be planning your return trip before you board the airplane.