Italy - Family Signature

This tour is designed for those who would like a limited guided tour. Meet your private guide & driver at the hotel to be dropped off at the 3D Rewind venue where you will begin your three-dimensional (3D) journey through the history of the Imperial Rome. After the 3D virtual adventure into the ancient Rome, you'll continue by walking to the Roman Colosseum, one of the most important monuments of ancient Rome. A masterpiece of classical architecture, the Colosseum is an enormous amphitheatre where gladiators, Christians and wild beasts once battled to the death in front of 50,000 spectators. There, you'll have the opportunity to visit (from the exterior) the monument with your guide. Following your exterior visit of the Colosseum you'll see the imposing triumphal Arch of Titus was erected in 81 AD by the Emperor Domitian in honor of the victories in battle of his brother and father in Judea and you will admire the Via Sacra (Sacred Way), the route followed by religious and triumphal processions. Continue by walking to the Roman Forum enjoy exterior explanation of the Roman Forum, one of the most important monuments of ancient Rome. After the highlights of the Imperial Rome you will pass by Venice Square where you'll see the imposing Altare Della Patria and then continue your walk towards Piazza Navona. This charming square exudes a relaxed atmosphere and features beautiful architecture within its church and fountain. Indulge in some retail therapy, or continue to explore the treasures of Rome independently. Your driver will then drive you back to your hotel.

Master the basics of hand-to-hand combat at a genuine gladiator school on the ancient Appian Way! You'll discover the secrets of Imperial Rome's gladiator games, get hands-on with ancient Roman history and have the best fun you can imagine! During your two-hour lesson, your gladiator instructor will teach you how to fight with authentic weapons used by the gladiators of ancient Rome. Dressed in a traditional gladiator tunic, belt, leather protective glove and rudis (training sword), you can let your imagination run wild as you play like Spartacus for a day, fighting off ferocious lions and sword-wielding warriors! Next, learn the basic techniques of gladiatorial sword fighting and take part in an optional gladiatorial tournament. All participants receive a certificate of accomplishment. If you are not feeling so brave, you can always watch the activity from the great viewing platform. Are you up to the challenge of this truly Roman experience combining culture, sport and ancient legends?? (Your tour includes a two-hour gladiator lesson led by members of the Historic Group of Rome, Hire of gladiator clothing and weapons, complimentary drink & entrance to the Gladiator School of Rome Museum).

Meet your guide and driver at the hotel to head to the Vatican, the center of Christianity, for a 4 hour private tour. You’ll be fascinated by the Vatican Museum which houses one of the most impressive collections in the world. Admire the many works of art and visit the Sistine Chapel, dominated by the efforts of Michelangelo. The conception and execution of the ‘Creation of the World’ and ‘Last Judgment’ are positively titanic. You will also visit the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica which took over 100 years to build and features Renaissance and Baroque styling. Resting on over the 800 pillars and adorned with 44 altars, St. Peter’s is by far the largest church in the world! Inside the Basilica it is not allowed to speak at high tone; for this reason your guide will whisper in a microphone and you will be provided with a radio headset to clearly hear the description of one of the biggest wonders of Christianity. Return to hotel. (Entrance fee included).

Meet your driver for a private train station transfer.

Enjoy the train ride from Rome to Florence. Train duration is approximately 1 hour 30 mins.

Take a private train station transfer in Florence.

Travel back to the Renaissance period during this half day walking tour that explores the renowned Italian city of Florence.  This guided tour ensures that you visit some of the many landmarks and sites that have made Florence a global tourist hub, and one of Italy’s most beautiful cities.  This walking tour begins with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, boasting some true masterpieces of art including Raphael’s “Madonna of the Goldfinch” and Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Annunciation.”  The tour continues with a walk through the Signoria Square to marvel at the re-created duplicate of Michelangelo’s statue of “David.”  Next is a visit to the elegant Ponte Vecchio, which translates to “old-bridge,” dating back to 1345, this bridge was actually built to replace the once previous bridge structure that was unfortunately swept away during a vicious flood.  Along either end of the bridge, take this opportunity to view, and purchase if you’d like, some of the many items for sale including souvenirs, snacks and jewelry.  Your final visits on this tour include stops at the 14th century Cathedral Square to view the Duomo, the Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower.

Sleep in this morning and relax at your hotel.

Learn to make Pizza and Gelato just like the Italians do! Join this late afternoon class! Their chefs will be happy to introduce you to the history of these Italian glorious creations!

Make pizza in oven with their professional pizza chef, called pizzaiolo. You will learn how to make tender, flexible yeast dough that stretches to almost paper-thinness, and even the trick for a flavourful yet light tomato sauce. Even if you bake pizza in your own oven, these techniques are universal and using them really makes a difference. With the pizzaiolo, you’ll make your very own pizza, you’ll stretch it, sauce it, bake it, slice it. It will be the best pizza you ever tasted, and you made it yourself! The chef will tell you why gelato remains Italy’s favourite dessert while giving an insight to the ‘gelato culture’ that continues to grow. You will get to know the basic raw ingredients, how to select the best products available according to specific principles and you will have a presentation and tasting of some of the flavours used in gelato making. You will learn about the development and application of natural colours, the heating and freezing techniques and how they have different effects on ingredients. It is always a great day to discover the recipe of the world most loved dessert! (Please note: meeting at 6.00 pm in via de’ Lamberti 1 (corner with Via dei Calzaiuoli), arrive 15 minutes prior to departure. Included: pizza and gelato with a famous local Chef, use of apron and cooking utensils, all ingredients for pizza and gelato, dinner with wine tastings, Graduation Certificate).  

Take a private train station transfer in Florence.

Enjoy the (direct) fast speed train ride from Florence to Venice (approx 2 hours).

For your added comfort, we will have a Meet & Greet assistance for you upon your arrival who will be waiting for you at the beginning of the platform which your train arrives in on. If a private train station transfer has been arranged, this representative will help to co-ordinate meeting up with your private water taxi driver and accompany you to your accommodation.

Meet your private English speaking guide in your hotel lobby and begin your stroll and admire the gothic Doge’s Palace, as well as the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri), connecting the palace to a former prison. Your guide will add some historic remarks as you continue on to the Marciana Library, the Loggetta, the Bell and Clock towers, part of the Cathedral next to Doge’s Palace. Follow your guide through narrow Venetian streets to the Grand Canal till Rialto area where the tour ends.

Enjoy a 3 hour shared tour of Mask decoration with an English speaking escort. Venice is a unique example in the history of mankind because masks were used beyond the carnival, and they were also used in everyday life, for more than 6 months of the year! A mask, the “Bautta”, was even used in the presence of the Doge in the most solemn moments of the social and political life! Apart from this essential mask, they also explain the use of the “Moretta”, which is also very important, but with a completely different significance. This introduction gives an idea about this strange world; so different from today. The technique used for the creation of a typical Venetian Mask is at least 800 years old! You can see all of the different phases of the production, from the clay model, the plaster mould up to the finished white mask, ready for decoration. You will find masks of every kind: traditional venetian masks, masks for theatre (Commedia dell'Arte), fantasy masks, Venice Carnival masks, masks for children, masks for a party or as a part of your furnishing. There are about 43 models of white papier-mâché masks to choose from. The 7 different techniques to choose from are the same that they use in their workshop. They have selected them because they can be constantly modified. This means that if somebody is not happy with the result of his or her work, together they can always modify the mask, in a stress free atmosphere, in order to obtain the desired result. Often, the participant may ask to use two different techniques on the same mask. It can certainly be done, and their answer will always be yes. At the end of the course clients can take home their own mask. Please let the Sales Advisor know if you want a private transfer with vehicle and driver added to the service.

This non-narrated gondola cruise (approx 30-35 mins) will have you traveling through narrow canals and beneath stone bridges.

You will be met at your hotel by our local representative who will accompany you on the transfer from your hotel to the Marco Polo Airport by private water taxi.