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Gladiators, Gondolas and Gold

Everyday Price From

$4,612

$5,425

10 days

No Countries

Overview

Buckle up for a travel adventure, all the highlights and some surprised on this most exciting of Italy family trips. Learn how to make pizza like a local, discover your inner artist as you make your own Carnival mask in Venice, and dine with a count on his estate.

Locations Visited

Rome, Vatican City, Pisa, Florence, Bologna, Venice

Countries Visited

Italy, Vatican City

Travel Style

Family Experience

Accommodations

9 nights included

Age Requirements

Minimum age 5

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Itinerary

COLLAPSE ALL EXPAND ALL

Day 1

Welcome to Rome

Ciao Roma! Feast your eyes and your stomach on the 'Eternal City' – the launch pad for an unforgettable adventure with la famiglia. Tread in the footsteps of the ancients before meeting with your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Kickoff Party that will rock Rome.

  • Accommodation

    Crowne Plaza Roma - St. Peter's Rome


  • Meals

    Dinner

Join a Local Specialist to delve into centuries of history and culture. Venture across the Tiber to the Colosseum, imagining a time when brave warriors fought to the thunderous roar of thousands. Then it's time for a cheesy Family Fun affair as we Dive Into Culture and learn how to make authentic Italian pizza, sharing a tasty slice or two of our culinary masterpieces with our loved ones.

  • Accommodation

    Crowne Plaza Roma - St. Peter's Rome


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Pizza Making

A cooking experience with all the trimmings! Learn how to make tasty Italian pizza from an expert and then share your masterpiece with the family.

Book your spot on the podium. It's time for Family Fun as you become a gladiator for the day. You'll learn how to wield a gladiator's sword and gain insights into military techniques with an expert. This afternoon, you’ll have some free time to explore the city with the family. Perhaps count the Spanish Steps or toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain to secure your speedy return to Rome. 

  • Accommodation

    Crowne Plaza Roma - St. Peter's Rome


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Gladiator School

Experience life as a gladiator with an included visit to a Gladiator School in Rome.

Embark on a scenic drive north through Tuscany's golden fields. Stop in Pisa to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Piazza del Duomo to snap a selfie in front of the famous Leaning Tower. Carry on to the Renaissance city of Florence, our home for the next three nights.

  • Accommodation

    Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Scenic Drive through Tuscany

View the stunning landscape of Tuscany on your drive today. 

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See Pisa's Landmarks

During an orientation, your Travel Director will show you the baptistery, cathedral and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The exquisite sights of Florence are brought to life on a walking tour in the expert company of a Local Specialist. See the magnificent Gothic Duomo and famous Baptistery before marvelling at Michelangelo's statue of David at the Academy of Fine Arts. Learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city's historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. Where better to Dive Into Culture and indulge in a refreshing gelato than in the city where it was invented? Tonight, join Count Miari Fulcis and his family for a Be My Guest experience, enjoying delicious specialities against the backdrop of picture-perfect olive groves and vineyards on their 15th-century estate in the Tuscan hills. Salute!

  • Accommodation

    Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Dine with Count Fulcis near Florence

Join Count Miari Fulcis for dinner at his 15th-century organic olive oil estate, used as a location for many famous films like 'Room with a View' and 'Tea with Mussolini', and enjoy eight generations of history with plenty of stories.

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Discover gelato tasting at a local gelateria in Florence

Indulge in an Italian gelato at a local gelateria in Florence.

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Florence City Tour

Join a Local Specialist to view the Multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.

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Florence Leather Demonstration

See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods, and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.

You have a full day at leisure to enjoy this remarkable Renaissance city. Florence is a living museum that you can explore on foot. Perhaps join an optional experience to the ‘Town of Towers’ – San Gimignano.

  • Accommodation

    Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Stop and smell the rich aromas of Bolognese sauce, spending the morning with a Local Specialist to explore the medieval city of Bologna. Then it's just a hop, skip and a jump towards the island city of Venice. Discover the 'Queen of the Adriatic' from the comfort of one of its traditional gondolas on an optional experience.

  • Accommodation

    Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana Venice


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Bologna City Tour

Join a Local Specialist on an exploration of Bologna. See the medieval squares and red-bricked façades of this historic city.  

Cruise to bustling St. Mark's Square on a private launch. View the exquisite Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica and the Campanile and the famous Bridge of Sighs, so named for the sound condemned prisoners made at catching their last glimpse of beautiful Venice. We then witness first-hand the exquisite tradition of Venetian glassblowing. Your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience helps to support the preservation of this precious Venetian tradition for generations to come. You’ll learn how this once-thriving Venetian art is being kept alive by talented glassmakers who delight in working their magic to craft the stunning treasures for which Venice is justifiably famous. Time for Family Fun as you learn about the art of crafting Carnival masks, decorating your own masks with enough paint, feathers and glitter to rival even the most elaborate masks seen at the annual event. This afternoon, consider an Optional Experience to the colourful island of Burano for a delicious meal.

  • Accommodation

    Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana Venice


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Learn about the History and Ancient Skills of Venetian Glassblowing

Discover the ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing and play a part in preserving this traditional craft. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. 

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Carnival Masks

Discover the great Venetian tradition of Carnival masks and paint and decorate your own.

Navigating the bustling canals to the Rialto Bridge and traditional food market, embrace the sights and sounds of Venice from the water before delving into the hidden highlights of Venice during a Small Group Sightseeing walking tour, working up an appetite for lunch at a local restaurant.

  • Accommodation

    Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana Venice


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Lunch

Highlights

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Discover a traditional food market by the famous Rialto Bridge

Savour the vibrant atmosphere of Venice during a walk through its calli to a traditional food market in the shadow of the famous Rialto Bridge.

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Venice Walking Tour

Embark on a sightseeing walking tour of Venice with a small group. 

Our unforgettable journey together has come to an end. All that's left to say is a hearty arrivederci as you prepare to return home with fantastic shared memories.

  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

Must-see Highlights

  • Explore Rome, Florence, Bologna and Venice 

  • Visit the Colosseum and gladiator school in Rome, the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, the Academy of Fine Arts and a gelateria in Florence and a glassblowing factory in Venice

  • View the ancient sites of Rome, Santa Croce Basilica and the Duomo in Florence, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and St. Mark's Basilica in Venice

  • Scenic Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square

What's Included

Travel Director

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Hotels

  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.

Meals

  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Sightseeing

  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Audio

  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

Transport

  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Optionals

  • Optional Experiences and free time

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Definite Departures Only

Special Offers

Airfare is not included, but can be added to quote upon request.

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Terms & Conditions

Trip Notes: 

  • Please note that airfare to and from your start/end destinations are not included in the cost of your trip. 
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Terms & Conditions: 

  • Prices listed are land only & do not include airfare to and from the start/end of the tour. 
  • Prices listed are per person, based on twin share. If you’re travelling solo, we can pair you with a same-sex roommate at no extra cost or you can upgrade to a single for an additional cost, subject to availability. Please note solo room share is not available on all trips. 
  • Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.  
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  • 'Price with Current Deals' reflects applicable promotions. Promotions and savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all tours/departure dates and are subject to availability. All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details. 
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