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Map of Northern Italy Family Holiday including Italy

Piazzas, pizzas and Pisa, plus plenty more!

Delight on a family-focused cultural exploration of the best sights and finest food that Italy has to offer on this 8-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. There’s something for all ages in Italy as you whisk through Venice to Rome on this family-focused escapade – now that’s totally amore.

Start
Venice, Italy
Finish
Rome, Italy
Destination
Italy
Style
Comfort
Theme
Family
Code
ZMFD
Physical rating
Ages
Min 5
Group size
Min 2, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Try your hand at mask making in Venice at a local specialised Venetian Atelier, ready to help your family discover this unusual artform for yourselves.

  • Test your family’s fitness with a hike on the renowned paths of the Cinque Terre, and test their culinary skills with a hands-on pesto making class in Levanto.

  • 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.

  • Explore the wonders of the Vatican Museums using an audioguide so you can linger over the many wonders inside and go at your own pace.

  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?

  • The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Train travel is a fast way to traverse long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. Italian trains are comfortable and all have toilets. Please note that you will have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'What to Take' section of the Essential Trip Information.

  • Summer temperatures can be extreme in many regions of Italy (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

  • Please note that rooms in Europe can seem rather small by American or Australian standards and often there are no double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.

italy rome trevi fountain sculptures mansion waterfall
Little girl sitting in-front of colosseum, rome, italy
Cinque Terre coast view, Italy
Leaning tower of Pisa in Italy
Two little girls at Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Painted Ceramic Venetian Masks in Venice
Brother and sister in Venice, Italy

Itinerary
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Welcome to Venice, Italy. 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. Your Italian adventure will begin with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. There are no activities planned before the meeting, but 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 Ca Formenta (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information for each member of your family. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

After breakfast, venture out 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. Once the walk comes to an end, 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 too. 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.
Accommodation
  • Kosher House Giardino Dei Melograni or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Venice - Traghetto Boat Ride
  • Venice - Venetian Mask Making Class
  • Venice - Leader led orientation walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

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 through 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 got a grasp of these traditional Italian culinary techniques, cooking at home will no doubt become that much better.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Pensione Moderna or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cinque Terre - 'Il Laboratorio del Pesto' Making & Demonstration
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information

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, vineyards and onwards to idyllic, breathtaking vistas. You can choose to walk just a few sections if you like – all of the 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.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Pensione Moderna or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cinque Terre - Day Trip, including Cinque Terre Pass
Optional Activities
  • Cinque Terre - Coastal Cruise - EUR30
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Remember to bring comfortable footwear such as trainers or light hiking shoes. The walking distance will depend on which option you choose:
Option 1 - Corniglia to Vernazza (approx 2.5hrs) easier and flatter and has a mid point stop with a cafe'
Option 2 - Vernazza to Monterosso (3hrs) is harder and has no mid point stop this option takes takes you across uneven surfaces, narrow passages without shade from the Italian sun and over many staircases – both up and down. A good level of fitness is recommended should you choose this walk.

Due to recent landslides in the area, it is currently not possible to walk the Via dell'Amore from Riomaggiore to Manarola and the coastal section between Manarola and Corniglia. These sections will be passed by train instead. Please also note that, due to safety reasons, some sections of any path can be closed at short notice.

Spend some time relaxing on the beautiful Cinque Terre coastline – perhaps go for a dip in the waters or source out some fresh local seafood. Afterwards, travel on an early afternoon train to Pisa (approximately 2.5 hours). Once you arrive, take a bit of time to explore the Field of Miracles while taking in the intricately structured architecture of Duomo Cathedral, Piazza Del Duomo and of course, the World Heritage-listed Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Casa San Tommaso or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pisa - Pisa Visit & Orientation walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Today you will take the train from Pisa to Rome but not before you get the chance to try some of the city’s famous gelato and snap some family photos with the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, or, if you’re daring enough, scale up the 300 spiralling stairs to get a better view of the field below (own expense). After you arrive in Rome, the evening is yours to enjoy your way. You may like to settle down to a traditional Roman dinner in a trattoria – known to be simple but full of flavour.
Accommodation
  • Hotel San Marco or Similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Vatican City is the smallest country on the planet yet holds many of the Catholic world’s most significant sites. Today you’ll get to explore some of its highlights including the St Peter’s Basilica, The Sistine Chapel, and Piazza San Pietro. Explore the wonders of the Vatican Museums using an audioguide so you and your family can go at your own pace. Tonight is free for you to eat the best Roman pizza and gelato in town – it’s not hard to find them, but it takes local knowledge to eat away from the tourist traps and in authentic places. Luckily you’ve got a local leader to show you the way and give you all suggestions!
Accommodation
  • Hotel San Marco or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Vatican City - Vatican Museum
  • Rome - Leader-led orientation walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your Northern Italy Family Holiday comes to a close today and there are no further activities planned. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to end! If you would like to extend your stay in Rome, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 2 dinners

Transport

Train, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotels (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Venice - Traghetto Boat Ride
  • Venice - Venetian Mask Making Class
  • Venice - Leader led orientation walk
  • Cinque Terre - 'Il Laboratorio del Pesto' Making & Demonstration
  • Cinque Terre - Day Trip, including Cinque Terre Pass
  • Pisa - Pisa Visit & Orientation walk
  • Vatican City - Vatican Museum
  • Rome - Leader-led orientation walk

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Northern Italy Family Holiday trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
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Important notes

Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.

Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old.

A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.

A Single Supplement is available on this trip, please ask your booking agent for more information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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