Experience Overview
Explore the delights of Italy on a family-focused cultural exploration of the best sights and finest food that Italy has to offer on this eight-day tour of the country’s best. Get exploring in the winding canal maze of Venice, dip your toes in the ocean by the beautiful Cinque Terre coastline, make and taste authentic Italian pesto, savour delicious Tuscan cuisine, get the perfect snap of the Learning Tower of Pisa and try as much gelato as you can (how many flavours can the kids try before you leave?). There’s something for all ages in Italy as you whisk through Venice to Rome on this family escapade – now that’s amore!
Highlights
- Try your hand at mask-making in Venice at a locally specialised Venetian Atelier, ready to help your family discover this unusual art form for yourselves.
- Test your family’s fitness with a hike on the renowned paths of the Cinque Terre, then test the kids’ culinary skills with a hands-on pesto-making class in Levanto. Yum!
- Oh, and did we mention the food? During your family’s adventure-filled days, be sure to try as many Venetian, Tuscan and Roman favourites you can – your group leader will have a heap of suggestions.
- Head to the World Heritage-listed Leaning Tower of Pisa to take photos with your family, including the classic “here’s me holding up the tower!” shot.
- Spend a full day exploring Florence – the city of the Renaissance and the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region – and discover the gorgeous Duomo, plenty of pizza places and Michelangelo’s David.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Cooperativa Coraggio. Donations help them regenerate 22 hectares of unused public land to create local jobs and produce organic food in Italy. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Trip Details
Product Code: 3192
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Train,taxi
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Family
Supplier Code: ZMFD
Starts: Venice, Italy
Finishes: Rome, Italy
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Dinner (2)Accommodation: Hotels (7 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 3605 (CAD 451 /day)
Itinerary
Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure begins in Venice with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. This watery wonderland of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas – practically unchanged for 600 years – is literally sinking under the weight of its sights. If you arrive early, there are plenty of things to keep you and the family busy. Take a walk around the maze of streets behind Piazza San Marco and begin to understand the complex canal system of Venice. The Grand Canal is a great place to start, as you can stroll over the Rialto Bridge and browse the endless amounts of boutique shops that sell Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware. After the meeting, enjoy dinner with the other families at a local restaurant.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, venture out with the family and explore Venice on an orientation walk. There are only two ways to get around this city – on foot or by boat. Wander around at the Doge’s Palace, the Piazza and Basilica di San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs, taking in the views of the waterways as you go. Then, take a quick gondola ride over to Rialto – the heart of the city. Take some free time to explore the city and consider catching a Vaporetto (water bus) to San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for a panoramic view of Venice. Otherwise, travelling down the Grand Canal via Venetian gondola is a great way to immerse yourself in the waterside culture, or the Palazzo Ducale overflows with paintings from Italian masters, making it well worth a visit. Meet up again in the afternoon at the private workshop of a professional mask maker, where you’ll learn to make your own mask using traditional working methods treasured by the people of the city.
Included Activities:
- Venice - Traghetto Ride
- Venice - Venetian Mask Making Class
- Venice - Leader led orientation walk
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Take a morning trip to the Italian Riviera – a region studded with tree-coated mountainsides and colourful townships sitting in the background of the tranquil Ligurian Sea. The first stop on this trip is Levanto – nestled between a thickly wooded valley and the ocean. During your stay here, chop and blend up basil, olive oil and other ingredients as you enjoy an authentic pesto-making class with a local family. Once you’ve grasped these traditional Italian culinary techniques, cooking at home will undoubtedly become that much better!
Included Activities:
- Cinque Terre - 'Il Laboratorio del Pesto' Making & Demonstration
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Venture out on the footpaths of Cinque Terre – a region of Italy famed for its coastline and pastel villages on sharp cliff faces. These paths weave between the villages past olive groves and vineyards and on to idyllic, breathtaking vistas. You can walk just a few sections if you like – all available paths offer excellent views of the majestic scenery. Otherwise, you’re also more than welcome to take a train from village to village if you’d prefer to put your feet up and relax.
Included Activities:
- Cinque Terre - Day Trip, including Cinque Terre Pass
Optional Activities:
- Cinque Terre - Coastal Cruise (41 EUR)
- Cinque Terre - Via dell’Amore trail (10 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Spend some time relaxing on the beautiful Cinque Terre coastline – maybe go for a dip in the water or source some fresh local seafood. After, take an early afternoon train to Florence, stopping at Pisa along the way. Enjoy some time to explore the Piazza dei Miracoli (the Miracles square) while taking in the intricately structured architecture of Duomo Cathedral, Piazza Del Duomo and of course, the World Heritage-listed Leaning Tower of Pisa. Grab the iconic photo with your kids (does it look like they’re pinching the tower?) When you’ve seen the sights, carry on to Florence and maybe spend the night walking around the Duomo or searching for the best pizza.
Included Activities:
- Pisa - Pisa Visit & Orientation walk
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, head out on a leader-led orientation walk in Florence and take in the beauty of this art haven. Stop at Piazzale Michelangelo and then enjoy a free afternoon to see the sights at your own pace. The kids might like to go on the hunt for a refreshing gelato, or if the family is seeking out more art, there are plenty of museums to check out. Maybe visit the Uffizi – one of the world's oldest art galleries and a work of art in itself. If you want to see Michelangelo's iconic statue of David, head to the Galleria dell' Accademia. In the evening, maybe climb back up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a renowned sunset view across the rooftops.
Included Activities:
- Florence - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Take a train to Rome this morning – home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Colosseum. When you arrive, join your leader on an orientation walk around the city, where you see some of the iconic sights such as the Colosseum and Arch of Constantine, the Forum, the Victor Emmanuel Monument, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, via dei Condotti and the Spanish Steps. The kids will love what comes next – a gelato tasting! Hunt for the best flavour in this City of Seven Hills and then enjoy a free night. You might like to rejoin the other families and find the best spot for dinner. Maybe head to Trastevere and find a little candlelit table to cheers to a trip well-travelled.
Included Activities:
- Rome - Leader-led orientation walk
Optional Activities:
- Vatican City - Vatican Museum (25 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
With no activities planned for today, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, and visit the Vatican or take a tour of the Colosseum, just speak to your booking agent.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
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