Introduce your family to the enchanting cities of Italy on a journey to Rome, Florence, and Venice that engages travelers of all ages in history, world-famous art and architecture, and delicious cuisine.

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary Request Itinerary or Ask Us A Question or Call 855-215-8690
 Exploring the arts of Florence with your daughter
Exploring the arts of Florence with your daughter
 The iconic Duomo of Florence
The iconic Duomo of Florence
 Michelangelo's <i>David</i> in the Accademia in Florence
Michelangelo's David in the Accademia in Florence
 A lesson in making pasta
A lesson in making pasta
 Girls enjoying gelato in Florence
Girls enjoying gelato in Florence
 The Grand Canal at dusk
The Grand Canal at dusk
 Gondola ride through the canals of Venice
Gondola ride through the canals of Venice
 Masked reveler in Venice
Masked reveler in Venice
 Mask making in Venice
Mask making in Venice
 Piazza San Marco, Venice
Piazza San Marco, Venice
 Interior of the Basilica of San Marco
Interior of the Basilica of San Marco
 The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum
 The Sistine Chapel's frescoed walls and ceiling
The Sistine Chapel's frescoed walls and ceiling
 The vast interior of St. Peter’s Basilica
The vast interior of St. Peter’s Basilica
 Piazza Navona, Rome
Piazza Navona, Rome

Italy for Families: A Tailor-Made Journey to Rome, Florence, and Venice

10 days from $8,795

Introduce your family to the enchanting cities of Italy on a journey to Rome, Florence, and Venice that engages travelers of all ages in history, world-famous art and architecture, and delicious cuisine.

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary

or call 855-215-8690

Tour Details

TOUR BROCHURE

brochure

WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY

After you do a Tailor-Made trip with Smithsonian Journeys, you won't want to travel any other way. Our Mother-Daughter trip to Europe was nothing short of spectacular experience and service wise. Book your trip today! 

- Malia, J.

JOURNEYS DISPATCHES

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Overview

This following itinerary is a sampling of the experiences that we offer on a tailor-made journey to Italy. Working with our country specialists, you can customize your itinerary to fit your timing, your budget, and your interests, including accommodations, activities, and the places you visit.

​​Home to gladiators and emperors, Michelangelo and da Vinci, pasta and gelato, Italy is a destination that enchants as much as it enlightens. Embark on a journey to three spectacular cities—Rome, Florence, and Venice—and offer your family a fascinating encounter with the ancient ruins, Renaissance art, and historic architecture that they’ve read about in their schoolbooks. Set out on kid-oriented tours of famous sites such as St. Peters Basilica, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, and the Doge’s Palace in Venice. Then get a taste of everyday Italian culture, visiting craft workshops, making your own Venetian masks, and cooking up a delectable Tuscan meal! 

Highlights Include

  • Explore Rome’s highlights with a private guide on family-oriented tours of  the Colosseum, the Forum, and the Sistine Chapel.
  • Venture into an archaeological site beneath a Roman palace, and hop on Vespas for a fun, guided tour of Rome’s lesser known gems.
  • See some of the world’s most famous works of art, from the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s David to Brunelleschi’s dome. 
  • Learn to make pasta from scratch with a local chef in Florence and make your own Venetian Carnival mask with a master mask maker in Venice.

After you do a Tailor-Made trip with Smithsonian Journeys, you won't want to travel any other way. Our Mother-Daughter trip to Europe was nothing short of spectacular experience and service wise. Book your trip today! 

- Malia, J.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 — Rome, Italy

Fly into Rome and meet your private driver for the transfer to your hotel, a former monastery in the heart of Rome. Take the remainder of the day to settle in and explore the surrounding Trastevere neighborhood.

Day 2 — Rome

Step back in time this morning as you discover the most famous sites of ancient Rome with a private guide. Venture into the Colosseum, an amphitheater so big it could fit an entire football field inside—and learn about the gladiator games held here for centuries. Continue to the Roman Forum, and imagine the likes of Julius Caesar and Hadrian strolling amid the temples and boulevards of this ancient capital of the Roman Empire. After a break for lunch, head to the Palazzo Valentini for a fascinating audio-visual tour that takes you right underneath the building and reveals some of the ancient Roman sites recently discovered buried deep under the city.

Day 3 — Vatican City / Rome

Cross into the world’s tiniest country: Vatican City. Join your private guide for a family-oriented tour that includes the Vatican Museums. This morning you will have a private tour of St. Peter's Basilica, capped by one of the world’s largest domes, and the highlights of the Vatican Museums, including Michelangelo’s legendary Sistine Chapel. In the afternoon, set off on a memorable Vespa tour around the city, discovering lesser-known neighborhoods and the hidden gems of Rome.

Day 4 — Florence

Head to the train station and enjoy premium class seats on your journey to Florence. A private driver awaits to escort you to your hotel in the city center. During a free afternoon, consider walking just a few blocks to Florence’s Duomo, where you can climb both the bell tower and Brunelleschi’s famous dome for spectacular views of the city.

Day 5 — Florence

Meet up with your private guide for a walking tour of Florence geared for all ages. See one of the great masterpieces of the Renaissance, Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery, then enjoy time to explore on your own this afternoon. Watch street performers in the city’s piazzas and stop for a gelato, climb on the vintage carousel on Piazza della Repubblica, or go exploring in the Boboli Gardens.

Day 6 — Florence

Tuscan food is not only delicious—it’s also fun to make! Spend the morning at a Florentine cooking school, where you’ll have a private class with a local chef. Whip up a traditional Tuscan menu, including pasta made from scratch, and then enjoy your creations for lunch. You’ll have free time this afternoon to discover more of Florence. Perhaps visit another of the city’s wonderful museums, such as the astronomy-focused Museo Galileo, or climb up to Fort Belvedere for sweeping views over the rooftops of Florence.

Day 7— Venice

Take the train to Venice, and continue by private boat to your hotel on the Grand Canal. After time to relax, embark on a gondola cruise through the picturesque waterways of the city.

Day 8 — Venice

Begin the day with a private walking tour of St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace. With your private guide, you’ll have access to secret rooms in the palace not normally open to the public. This afternoon, take part in a Venetian tradition: making your own Carnival mask! During your private mask-making workshop, learn about the annual festival, which dates back to the 12th century, and the symbolism of the elaborate masks and costumes worn for the occasion.

Day 9 — Venice

A private boat awaits you today for a tour of some of the islands in the World Heritage-listed Venetian lagoon. Your first stop is Murano, where artisans have crafted colorful glasswork for centuries. Stop in at a glass factory to watch a glassblowing demonstration, and see a variety of creations, including beads, vases, and intricate glass animals. Continue to Burano, lined with brightly painted houses and known for its lace-making tradition. Enjoy time to explore the island before returning to Venice for a final afternoon at leisure.

Day 10 — Return home

Today, travel to the Venice airport by private water taxi in time for your flight home.

Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)

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