Family-Friendly Highlights of Italy: Venice, Florence, Rome & Naples - 14 Days

Welcome to Italy! Your travels start in Venice, where you'll be transferred on a private water taxi from the airport to your hotel.

Enjoy a scenic canal ride in a traditional Venetian gondola, one of the most quintessential activities in Venice. You’ll experience the quieter, more evocative side canals of the city, which offer a relaxed and romantic ambiance. 

Next up, get your bearings and enjoy a fun, family-friendly orientation walking tour of beautiful Venice. Along the way, your kids will complete an exciting scavenger hunt, which engages the whole family and provides an excellent introduction to the city’s main sites. You’ll also visit residential neighborhoods to discover the authentic side of Venice.

You’ll start in the famous and buzzy St. Mark’s Square, where you’ll meet your guide. Enjoy walking away from the crowds and through the backstreets of the lovely Cannaregio and Castello districts. By exploring off-the-beaten-path streets, you’ll discover hidden Venice and listen to stories about some of its famous residents, including Marco Polo. This famous globe trotter traveled for 25 years to the furthest corners of Asia, from where he brought several interesting items back to Venice. One souvenir is truly amazing—can you find which one?

As you follow your guide throughout Venice, you’ll solve riddles, puzzles, and games to discover this mysterious object. Wander the city, complete activities, and learn about the glorious past of Venice, known as the Serenissima Repubblica. 

A full-day boat tour is the best way to explore the Venetian Lagoon and its best-known islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello.

You'll start in Murano, home of famed glassblowing. Pint-sized travelers aged 5-12 can explore this art style via scavenger hunt to solve the mystery of a secret glass formula. Meanwhile, the whole family can enjoy watching a master glassblower at work and visits to the Glass Museum, a collection ranging from the 14th to 19th century, and the ancient Church of Santa Maria and San Donato.

Hop over to Burano, best known for its multicolored houses and elegant lace. Sample one of the bussolai specialty cookies before continuing on to Torcello. Now the island is nearly deserted, but it was once a cradle of Venetian civilization. You'll find some excellent restaurants as well as some of the lagoon's most ancient monuments, now surrounded by vegetation, including Santa Maria Assunta, the first cathedral in Venice, and the church of Santa Fosca.

Discover the Venetian culinary scene on this fun, interactive, and family-friendly food tour with a scavenger hunt. Kids especially love learning about typical cuisine from Venice as they explore different areas of the city. Your guide will take you through Venetian gastronomy, from the past to the present, leading you through bustling markets and helping you taste traditional dishes.

Hey, kids—a very important royal guest is coming to Venice to visit the Doge’s Palace, and they chose you to help the team of chefs! You’ll scavenge the city’s food scene to find the missing ingredients, discover traditional recipes, and solve a strange mystery.

Along the way, you’ll pass through the Rialto area in the San Polo district. Follow your guide through narrow alleys and off-the-beaten-path streets as you solve puzzles, riddles, and games. Make your way to the famous Rialto Market to explore the colorful fruit, plump vegetables, and various fish. In the end, you’ll become a “star chef” and enjoy the tastiest side of Venice.

Once you've completed your tour, you'll hop aboard the high-speed train to Florence, just over two hours away.

You’ll find some of the world’s most recognizable art and architecture in Florence, from Michelangelo’s "David" and Botticelli’s "Birth of Venus" to the 1,000-year-old Ponte Vecchio medieval bridge. If you're looking for something more hands-on, visit the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, which is as interactive as the man himself would want, or consider the celestial spheres at the Museo Galileo, where you can peer through ancient telescopes.

The charms of Florence aren’t just found in its museums. Check out the many parks and gardens, including the Iris Garden that holds 250 endangered species; rambling markets; and celebrate the city’s status as the capital of gelato with as many scoops as you can handle.

In the afternoon, you'll discover the delicious craft of gelato-making with a workshop in the heart of historic Florence. In the ambiance of an authentic family-run gelateria and gelato-making school, you’ll learn the ins and outs of producing that perfect scoop of creamy goodness with the help of a true professional. Identify the differences between gelato and ice cream, learn about the ingredients used, and practice the special process that makes gelato so creamy and delicious. 

Once you know the basics, you’ll create your own gelato, choosing various flavors and high-quality ingredients. Your teachers will provide everything you need, including gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives. This hands-on, family-friendly experience is great fun and an excellent way to dive deeper into the culture of Florence, one of Italy’s favorite gelato destinations.

Explore two of Tuscany’s must-see cities: Lucca and Pisa. Stroll around the typical Italian streets of Lucca, take a picture with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and for parents, deepen your knowledge of fine wines while sipping a glass of red Chianti. 

Your first stop is Lucca. This city isn’t just famous among foreigners; Italians also love to visit! Step back in time and enter the city through its thick Renaissance-era city walls. We recommend renting a bike to ride atop the city walls. Do you want to avoid the crowds of the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro? Have a snack at Piazza Antelminelli instead, a favorite local spot in Lucca.

The second stop of the day is the Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of the most famous sites in Italy. Here you'll have plenty of time to take iconic photos and admire one of Pisa's top universities, the Scuola Normale. You can also visit the Piazza dei Miracoli and the Cathedral of Pisa.

The last stop of the day, a winery, is all about Tuscany's famous cuisine. Start with a family-friendly wine tour and learn about the region’s renowned wine history and production process. Next, taste a few delicacies while parents pair your Chianti red wines typical Tuscan side dishes like olives and affettati (an assortment of ham). You'll feel like a part of the family in this winery's intimate setting.

Once you return to Florence, spend some time in the city's beautiful parks surrounded by the Tuscan countryside. The parks are places to find tranquility and spend quality time admiring the architecture and landscape designs inspired by Renaissance Florence. Find some delicious local snacks from one of the markets in the center and then head for a leisurely walk through open parks and gardens. Most of the larger gardens are on the south side of the Arno River including the Boboli Gardens and the Giardino delle Rose (Rose Garden), known as a beautiful sunset spot.

Head south to Naples today via high-speed train, a ride of just over an hour.

Once you arrive, it's time to go explore the city with a local guide, and then taste the local specialties. The philosophy is to give you the chance to choose between many restaurants, with many dishes, and go out for dinner with locals. In Naples, you can find the best kitchens in the world as long as you know where they are. 

Dinner is served at a local restaurant selected by you and your host. Look for Neapolitan specialties like seafood, especially mussels, but there's always pizza for pickier party members. You'll be accompanied throughout the evening so if you have questions about the best dishes on the menu or the magical city of Naples then you'll have assistance immediately. Drinks are also offered to compliment your food including local wines for the parents.

Soak in the experience and fall in love with authentic Italian cuisine in the Napoli style.

Learn what makes authentic Neapolitan pizza the best pizza in the world with a family-friendly cooking class. Uncover all the secrets of this great Italian wonder in the exclusive company of a private chef. At the restaurant of one of the oldest families of Neapolitan pizza makers, your pizzaiolo and his staff will greet you and introduce you to the art of pizza making, guiding you through every step of the process.

In a cozy and friendly atmosphere, you'll enjoy eating your delicious handmade lunch. This pizza class will enhance your experience of Naples and give you the chance to take the recipes back home. You can make these dishes whenever you want, impressing your family and friends with your newfound cooking skills. 

Afterward, set out on your own to wander through the city.

Explore from Piazza Cavour and walk into the city center towards the magnificent Duomo di Napoli. The cathedral is dedicated to the Santa Maria Assunta, the assumption of the Virgin Mary. The San Lorenzo neighborhood has many churches to explore, but one of the most interesting is the Church of San Lorenzo Maggiore which hides the remains of an underground Greco-Roman market. Further into the city, the main street Via Toledo leads to the waterfront. In this area are many grand buildings, including the Royal Palace, San Carlo Theatre, and the Castle Nuovo. Take your time to visit these three sites, including the two museums inside the castle. Along the Lungomare is a spectacular fountain, Fontana dell Immacolatella. Here is a great place to end your day before taking the metro back to the top of the city.

Discover Pompeii with your family in an entertaining and unique way. This kid-friendly exploration of Pompeii’s ancient ruins is an interactive, workshop-like experience. Your little ones will stay engaged and excited about Ancient Rome and enjoy some take-home activities.

Not only is this tour made for children, but it’s also led by children, meaning your kids will take on the role of the guide and lead the way. After receiving a special map, you’ll navigate the archeological site, finding your way through games, riddles, clues, and mimes. The map reconstructs the ancient city and how its inhabitants lived. Completing the games will help your entire family better understand Pompeii and award kids with character stickers to add to their map, which they can take home.

Enjoy seeing all the highlights of Ancient Pompeii, including the Forum, theater, bathhouse, and tavern, plus private homes, temples, and more. At the end of the tour, each child will receive an activity book to continue the adventure on their own.