Gelato and Gladiators
ITINERARY
1-3
Rome
City
Are you ready for your Italian family adventure? Once you land in Rome you'll be met by your private driver and taken to your hotel. Situated in a stately early 20th-century building, the Ludovisi Palace is perfectly placed for exploring nearby attractions if you feel like some first-day excitement.  

The next day you'll head out to catch some of the city's most iconic sites. Head to the Colosseum and see the spot gladiators once fought while emperors watched, then swing by the forum and visit Julius Caesar's tomb. Next, it's on to the city's beloved Trevi Fountain where you can all toss a few coins into the water for luck and take a mandatory fountain photo. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you please. Feeling peckish? Ask your guide to point you in the direction of one of Rome's famous gelaterias. Or if you're traveling with older kids, you might like to arrange a visit to the underground crypts, which are filled with the skeletons of Capuchin monks.  

Get a good night’s rest, for tomorrow you battle! In the morning you'll head to the Gladiator School where you'll armor up and don a helmet and (fake!) sword as you learn how to fight like an ancient Roman warrior. After a two stint as a would-be gladiator, you'll swap your armor for an apron and head off on a pizza-making class. Over the course of five hours, you'll learn how to make the dough, roll it out and select the perfect toppings. For dinner tuck into your masterpiece, and then enjoy some dessert. This is a family memory you’ll cherish – and can recreate at home with your new skills – forever! 

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4-5
Venice
City
Say farewell to the capital city of Rome and hop in your private transfer to the train station. From here you'll take a first-class train to Venice; the journey takes around three and a half hours and is a fantastic opportunity to check out the region’s varied and spectacular countryside. Once you arrive in Venice, a private driver will transfer you to your hotel where you can check-in and drop your bags off. Freshen up, as later that evening you'll all head out for a gondola ride on Venice's dreamy waters. This iconic activity is a must-do while you're in the city and a great way to appreciate its beauty.  

Got a budding artist in the pack? Today you'll all get crafty with a family mask making lesson. These designs are synonymous with the city and during your lesson, you'll paint a traditional Venetian style papier mache mask that you can take home as a souvenir. Once you've got all the glue off your hands, it's on to the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs for a walking tour of the city. After sights are seen, the remainder of the day is yours to spend as you like. Why not take a ride on the Vaporetto? Venice's public transportation system runs the length of the Grand Canal and is a fun way to see the city through the eyes of a local. 

 

6-10
Lake Garda
General Tour
Today you'll pick up your private hire car and make your way to Lake Garda. Once you arrive, check-in and take some time to settle in and soak up your stunning new lake surroundings. The following day is yours to spend exploring the scenery in your hire car; why not take a windsurfing lesson on Lake Garda at the Shaka Surf Centre?  

The following day it's on to Sirmione, at the very south of Lake Garda, for a private tour. Here you'll swing by the Castello Degli Scaliger and the Roman Ruins, before sampling Gelato and spending some time relaxing and playing together on the beach. Your last day is yours to spend as you like; thrill-seekers will love a trip to Gardaland theme park, meanwhile, a ride on the Funivia Malcesine - Monte Baldo, a gondola, makes for a fun excursion. Those who want to explore a bit further can even arrange a day trip to Lake Como.