Explore Italy's rich history and culture with your family in this 7-day itinerary.

Pompei is a city in southern Italy’s Campania region overlooked by the active volcano at Vesuvius. It’s known for its ancient city, Pompeii, which was buried by the 79 A.D. eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Ruins here include the frescoed Villa of the Mysteries and the city's amphitheater. In town, the Catholic pilgrimage site of the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Rosary has mosaics and a grand cupola .

Pompei

Venice

Florence is famously known as&nbsp;the birthplace of the Renaissance, with its stunning architecture, world-renowned art museums, rich history, and iconic cultural landmarks. It is a vibrant and thriving city that is a must visit destination in Italy.

Florence

Rome is the capital of Italy and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The city is home to a wealth of historical and cultural attractions, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. Rome is also a great place to enjoy Italian food, wine, and culture.

Rome

Discover the ancient ruins of Pompeii.

Pompeii Archaeological Park

Monumental 3-tiered Roman amphitheater once used for gladiatorial games, with guided tour option.

Colosseum

Vast excavated area of Roman temples, squares & government buildings, some dating back 2,000 years.

Roman Forum

Trastevere

Explore the Vatican and its stunning art.

Vatican Museums

Late Renaissance church by architects including Michelangelo & holding up to 20,000 worshippers.

St. Peter's Basilica

Day 2 Florence

Picturesque medieval arched river bridge with Roman origins, lined with jewelry & souvenir shops.

Ponte Vecchio

Landmark 1200s cathedral known for its red-tiled dome, colored marble facade & elegant Giotto tower.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Palazzo Vecchio

Iconic cathedral with a cavernous gilded interior, myriad mosaics & an on-site museum.

Saint Mark's Basilica

Ornate Gothic palace buildings hosting exhibitions with duke's rooms, prison & armoury tours.

Doge's Palace

Ornate covered 16th-century stone footbridge crossing the Grand Canal, with shops & restaurants.

Rialto Bridge

Bologna

Sorrento

Amalfi

Region made famous for its picturesque & colorful villages squeezed between the mountains & the sea.

Cinque Terre

Pisa

Spacious destination with fanciful pools & slides for both kids & adults, plus picnic areas.

Isola Verde Acqua Park

Famed volcano known for the destruction of Pompeii in AD 79, with a hiking trail to the top.

Mount Vesuvius

Positano

Colorful houses dot this lively fishing island with seafood restaurants, a lace museum & bell tower.

Burano

Known for its unique glass art, this island features studios, demonstrations & souvenirs for sale.

Murano

The Bragozzo local boats in Venice

Iconic square & gathering place dating back to the 12th century & dominated by St. Mark's Basilica.

St. Mark's Square

Neo-Baroque splendor & modern art at an iconic 1700s cafe, turning out coffee, cocktails & snacks.

Caffè Florian

Michelangelo’s famed Renaissance-era marble sculpture depicting the nude biblical character David.

David of Michelangelo

Popular, elevated hike in the mountains along the the Amalfi Coast offering dramatic ocean views.

Path of the Gods

Elegant square dating from the 1st century A.D., with a baroque fountain, street artists & bars.

Piazza Navona

Famous chapel in the Vatican Museums, best known for Michelangelo's 16th-century painted ceiling.

Sistine Chapel

Elaborately adorned 14th-century tower (56 meters at its tallest point) with a world-famous lean.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Large medieval baptistery praised for its acoustics, with panels by renowned sculptor Pisano.

Battistero di San Giovanni

Grand marble-striped cathedral known for its ornate Romanesque bronze doors & carved 1300s pulpit.

Cattedrale di Pisa

Museum exploring the history & craft of Venetian glassmaking, from the 15th century to the present.

Glass Museum (Murano)

Aqueduct-fed rococo fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi & completed in 1762, with sculpted figures.

Trevi Fountain

Firenze Santa Maria Novella

1930s train station for domestic journeys & routes over Europe, including the Orient Express.

Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia

Gourmet food hall on top floor of historic market, with Italian & international fare & events.

Mercato Centrale

Airport with domestic & international flights, duty free shops, rental cars & city bus links.

Naples International Airport

Network of trails exploring the scenery, flora & fauna around the slopes of an active volcano.

Vesuvio National Park

Steps with irregular butterfly-shaped design, built in 18th century at French diplomat's bequest.

Spanish Steps

Scenic hiking trail connecting the Cinque Terre, with expansive ocean views & lush landscapes.

Sentiero Monterosso - Vernazza

Sentiero 7A Corniglia-Volastra-Manarola

Cinque Terre Walk And Drink

Iconic temple built circa 118 to 125 A.D. with a dome & Renaissance tombs, including Raphael's.

Pantheon

Vast urban park with formally landscaped gardens, a lake & villas now housing important museums.

Villa Borghese

Arched bridge named for sighs of prisoners crossing it en route from the Palazzo Ducale to prison.

Bridge of Sighs

Grand Canal

Art museum with Michelangelo sculptures, including David, plus Renaissance painting & Russian icons.

Accademia Gallery

Museum exploring the city’s history & famous sites through models & a panoramic 3D movie.

Welcome To Rome

Fly into Venice (land at 17:45)

Bus 35 to St Lucia (21 mins)
Water taxi 2 to Rialto (15 mins)

Transfer from airport to hotel 

Venice Day 1: Sightseeing 

Venice Day 2: Sightseeing 

Venice: Day 3 - Murano and Burrano

Water taxi no.2 from Rialto to St Lucia (15 mins)

Station St Lucia direct to Bologna
Bus from Rialto to St Lucia

10:01 (11:39)

Travel to Bologna

Vast train station that's a hub for high-speed services to destinations across Italy.

Bologna Centrale

Friday 28th March

Sat 29th March

Sun 30th Mar

Mon 31st Mar

Tues 1 Apr

Weds 2nd Apr

Thurs 3rd Apr

Fri 4th Apr

Evening to potter around

The Doge's Palace, right on the edge of the lagoon, is the most important historic building in Venice. For over a thousand years, this was the seat of power of the Republic of Venice. The republic may have disappeared into modern Italy, but the Doge's Palace still stands as a fascinating museum.

Highlights:

Plunge into the history of Venice with a Doge's Palace guided tour. Your guide will point out all the interesting sights within the complex, including some stunning original paintings.

Address and opening hours:

Piazza San Marco 1, 30124 Venice. Open Sunday-Thursday, 9:00 AM-7:00 PM, and Friday-Saturday, 9:00 AM-11:00 PM.

Doge’s Palace

A religious site for over a millennium, St Mark's Basilica is one of the finest churches in Italy. You'll be dazzled by the gold decor inside, including incredible ceiling mosaics. This building is a stunning example of the luxury and wealth that prevailed in the Republic of Venice.

Highlights:

Feel like a VIP with an after-hours tour of St Mark's Basilica. You'll have the church almost to yourself on this visit, which includes a trip into the spooky crypts.

Address and opening hours:

Piazza San Marco 328, 30100 Venice. Open Monday-Saturday, 9:30 AM-5:15 PM. Opening times vary on Sundays and holy days.

St Mark’s Basilica

Large canal front covered market with stalls trading in fish, seafood & vegetables.

Rialto Market

When you think of Italian culture, what comes to mind? Food, of course. Eat like a local with a trip to the Rialto Market, the city's central market. This was where Italian coffee culture first started, so be sure to enjoy a cup of steaming hot espresso.

Highlights:

It's easy to get lost wandering the wealth of stalls. Take a lunchtime food and wine tour of the Rialto Market and your guide will helpfully lead you to the best products and finest wines around.

Address and opening hours:

Prima de la Donzella 306, 30125 Venice. Open Monday-Saturday, 7:30 AM-3:00 PM. Closed Sundays.

Rialto market

Glass is a traditional Venetian industry. You can see the painstaking glassblowing process in action at the Murano Glass Factory. This is a fabulous way to discover a remarkable tradition.

Highlights:

A Murano Glass Factory guided tour includes a demonstration of a master at work, a tour of the factory, and even a glass of prosecco.

Address and opening hours:

Fondamenta Manin 1, 30141 Venice. Open Monday-Sunday, 9:00 AM-5:30 PM.

Murano glass blowing

The single best shopping street in Venice is Salizada San Samuele. This is where you'll find independent boutiques selling unique clothes and jewelry. If you're after Italian designer gear, head to Salizada San Moisè.

Shopping

Imposing 16th-century square cathedral tower with an angel-topped spire & belfry offering sea views.

St Mark's Campanile

Climb to the top for 360 degree view of Venice

Campanile

The historic city of Venice is built on 118 islands connected by more than 400 bridges and separated by around 170 canals.

Venice 

Library & anatomical theater in a 16th-century building with frescoes & an array of coats of arms.

Biblioteca Comunale dell'Archiginnasio

Evening in Bologna

Bologna Day 1

Day 1: Florence

Train to La Spezia and Cinque Terre towns

Train to Pisa

https://www.trenitalia.com/it.html

https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-italy.htm

Rail timetable

What are the Cinque Terre? These five villages – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – are linked via a coastal footpath and a railway line (and, less directly, by very slow little mountain hairpin roads). Walking between the towns is really good fun and can be done in one day (approximately six hours) or over several. 

If you fancy introducing your children to multi-day hikes, this is a brilliant and easy initiation. The distances between each town are not great and the views are continuously beautiful. The towns are colourfully painted and packed with cafes and restaurants. Some of the paths are very uneven so if you’re visiting with toddlers or a baby, a carrier will be much easier than a buggy for negotiating the bumpy paths.

Cinque Terre can be easily reached from Pisa in just over an hour by train (with a quick change at La Spezia) so you can do a really interesting two centre Italy family holiday by combining a few days in Pisa with a few days strolling along the Ligurian coastline. 

From La Spezia, the train takes 7 minutes to get to the nearest town, Riomaggiore, and around 15 minutes to get to the furthest town, Monterosso.

If you base yourselves in Sorrento, you can benefit from the Circumvesuviana train which runs to Naples as well as to Pompeii and Herculaneum. 

Sorrento as a base

Climb

https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Esentieri-outdoor.php#/

Official hiking guide

There are several trails between the towns, but the most popular is The Blue Trail, which connects all five towns and is 7.5 miles total in length.

https://www.incinqueterre.com/en/trail-number2-blue

NB check for route closures

Blue Trail

Take photo holding up the tower!

https://www.opapisa.it/en/tickets/prices/

Buy tower tickets in advance 

Sat 5th Apr

Sun 6th Apr

https://ilpapirofirenze.it/en/collections/notebooks

Paper marbling workshop 

https://avm.avmspa.it/it/content/orari-servizio-di-navigazione-0

Vaporetto schedule

Photo on the Tre Ponte Burano

Piazza Baldassarre Galuppi

Piazza Galuppi is the heart of Burano, and it’s here that you’ll find many of the island’s shops and restaurants.  It’s a huge piazza with ‘branches’ so be sure you cover it all. 

21 Day Family Adventure through Italy: Venice to

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