GLADIATORS, GONDOLAS AND GOLD

• 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.

Arrival Transfer: Depart Leonardo da Vinci airport (FCO) at 09:30, 12:30, 15:00

Welcome Meet your Travel Director at 17:30

• Join a Local Specialist to delve into centuries of history and culture, including a guided tour of the Vatican Museums.
• Gaze up at the wonder of Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel and explore the Catholic shrine of St. Peter’s Basilica.
• 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.

Included Experience: Pizza Making

Optional Experience: Ancient and Christian Rome

• 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.

Included Experience: Gladiator School

Optional Experience: Piazzas and Fountains

• 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.

Included Experience: Scenic Drive through Tuscany, See Pisa’s Landmarks

Optional Experience: An Introduction to Florence

• 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.
• Tonight we Connect With Locals joining 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!

Included Experience: Dine with the Miari Fulcis Family at Maiano Societa Agricola, Discover gelato tasting at a local gelateria in Florence, Florence City Tour, Florence Leather 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.

Optional Experience: Visit to San Gimignano / Dinner in the Tuscan Countryside / Tuscan Dinner at Villa Machiavelli

• 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 to the island city of Venice.
• Discover the ‘Queen of the Adriatic’ from the comfort of one of its traditional gondolas on an Optional Experience.

Included Experience: Bologna City Tour

Optional Experience: Gondolas & the Grand Canal

• 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.

Included Experience: Learn about the History and Ancient Skills on Venetian Glassblowing, Carnival Masks

Optional Experience: Lagoon Cruise to Burano with Food and Drinks

• Navigating the bustling canals to the Rialto Bridge, we embrace the sights and sounds of Venice from the water before we Dive Into Culture and savour the flavours of Italy during a visit to a traditional food market.
• We delve into the hidden highlights of Venice during a Small Group Sightseeing walking tour, working up an appetite for our Farewell Lunch at a local restaurant.

Included Experience: Discover a Traditional Food Market by the famous Rialto Bridge, Venice Walking Tour

Optional Experience: Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Square

• 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.

Departure Transfer: Arrive at the airport at 08:00, 09:30