Ancient history and Renaissance art come to life inside the opulent palaces and the dramatic castles of Rome and Florence. Your kids will dig their hands deep into pasta dough while making traditional Roman cuisine, look into the lens of an ancient telescope once used by Galileo and don the lavish clothing of the Medici court inside a hidden gallery. Bike along an ancient Roman highway and wander into the subterranean tunnels of early Christian catacombs. You will uncover the endless majesty of...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Rome – Arrive in the Eternal City for a Family-Friendly Introductory Tour
Rome is a city of inspiring places that conjure up images of knights and kings, along with the ancient structures that bring to mind gladiators and powerful emperors. Your flight will land at Fiumicino Airport, and your private transfer will await your family’s arrival. Inside the heart of the old city, the elaborate history of an unforgettable empire will unfold and show how its influence informed the evolution of Western Civilization. Your hotel will look out to a view of the shining dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, and your guide will meet your family in the lobby ready to lead you on an introductory tour of the city that will spark wonder in parents and children alike.
The pearled façade of the Basilica of St. John Lateran frames a structure that has been in use since its original construction in the age of Constantine. The kids will marvel at the sheer grandeur of the architecture and its ancient age as the piazza opens to the café tables that line the outer ring while locals sit and sip on wine as they watch visitors pass through the streets. On the opposite edge of the square stands the church of Scala Santa, which contains 28 steps brought from Jerusalem in the 4th-century AD, and the staircase is believed to have come from directly from the palace of Pontius Pilate.
What's Included:
Day 2
Rome – Explore the Ancient Life of Rome in the Ruins of the Empire
Day 3
Rome – Tour the Vatican Museums and Enjoy a Traditional Puppet Show
Day 4
Rome – Relish a Full Day Tour Biking along the Antique Appian Way
Day 5
Rome – Discover Rome at your Leisure and Enjoy a Private Cooking Class
Day 6
Florence – Transfer to Florence with an Immersive Walking Tour of the City
Day 7
Florence – Visit the Uffizi Gallery and See Artisan Craftsmen on the Oltrarno
Day 8
Florence – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Immerse your family in the Renaissance during a private tour of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence which features a room filled with historical costumes
- Watch the kids as they train to be fierce gladiators during a private course before you explore the depths of the Colosseum
- Enjoy a traditional puppet show as it shares cultural legends and local folklore
- Traverse a portion of the old road known as the Appian Way on bicycles before you venture into ancient catacombs
- Enjoy a hands-on cooking class and learn the art of Roman cuisine, as you make pizza or pasta during your private instruction
- Witness the majestic three-dimensional illusion of the frescoed ceiling of the Church of St. Ignatius
- Delight in a tour of the Vatican Museums as the kids scour the masterworks of past centuries on a guided scavenger hunt
- Walk along the labyrinthine streets of the Oltrarno for a hands-on demonstration of the artisan craft shops that have made some of Florence’s most celebrated goods for over 500 years
- Venture beneath the Circus Maximus to view the ancient ceremonial grounds of a unique Roman era cult hidden under the contemporary city
Detailed Description
Rome and Florence captivate the hearts and minds of children of all ages. Whether big or small, young in age or young at heart, the splendor of the ancient streets and antique artifacts will enchant your entire family during your 8-day family tour. You will arrive in Rome to meet your private transfer at the airport baggage claim. Enjoy all of the comforts of your hotel located in the heart of the city before your private guide will escort your family on a remarkable introductory tour of the city’s unique history. Next day, your guide will lead your family to the training grounds of gladiators where the kids will embark on an excursion into the historical realm of warriors. After gladiator training concludes, you will continue into the depths of the Roman lifestyle on a tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
Venture beneath the Circus Maximus to find a subterranean temple of a popular Roman cult. Next day, your guide will provide your kids with a scavenger hunt inside the Vatican Museums to combine the luster of the art with the unique symbolism hidden around the grounds. In the early afternoon, you will venture to a historical puppet theater to take in a show dedicated to the traditional storytelling technique of marionettes, along with sharing the cultural heritage of local mythology. Next day, your family will mount bikes to ride along a preserved ten-mile stretch of the ancient Appian Way.
Your guide will point out historical monuments on the road as you journey towards the ancient catacombs. The next day is your families to relish the wonders of Rome at your leisure, from the frescoes of St. Ignatius to the villas of Tivoli. In the afternoon, you will partake in a private cooking class to learn the secrets of traditional Roman cuisine, including pasta or pizza making. The following you’re your family will transfer to Florence and settle in the historical city center. Your guide will take you on a magnificent tour of the open-air museum quality of the city.
Inside Palazzo Vecchio, you can don period costumes and witness frescoes painted by da Vinci and Michelangelo. Next day, visit the illustrious galleries of the Uffizi Gallery followed by a tour of the labyrinthine streets of the artisan district known as the Oltrarno. Witness the master craftsmen at work before you participate in a hands-on demonstration of their work. Spend time the next day to explore the Galileo Museum along the banks of the Arno River before your private guide escorts the family to the Florence airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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