Italy Adventure: Rome, Tuscany, Cinque Terre and Venice

Flight from your preferred airport to Rome.

Upon your arrival in Rome, you’ll be greeted at the airport by your Travel For Teens guides, who will accompany you for the duration of your journey. After getting settled into the hotel, we’ll have lunch and head down to the Colosseum, perhaps one of the most famous sites in all of Rome. Tour this incredible structure that has been standing for millennia, and learn about the battles that Gladiators fought here. Then visit the Roman Forum to learn about ancient Roman government. We’ll top off an exciting first day with your first taste of authentic Italian cuisine at one of our favorite local restaurants.

Cross another country off your bucket list today as we visit Vatican City. Begin in Saint Peter’s Basilica, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, before continuing to the Vatican Museums to marvel at the archaeological treasures in the Church’s collection. After a lunch of pizza al taglio, we’ll explore the beautiful neighborhood of Trastevere. See the Basilica di Santa Maria and wander the ancient cobblestone streets. We’ll enjoy dinner in Trastevere tonight at a traditional trattoria.

Start the day with a visit to the market at the Campo di Fiori. Browse the stalls and see all the delicacies on offer, from farm-fresh cheeses to bread fresh out of the oven. Pick up the makings for a picnic lunch here and enjoy lunch al fresco just as the locals do. This afternoon, climb the Vittorio Emanuele II monument for some of the best views in Rome and explore the secrets of the Pantheon. Have some time for souvenir shopping on the Via del Corso and enjoy a delicious dinner in Piazza Navona, one of Rome’s most beautiful squares. Of course, no trip to Italy would be complete without enjoying a homemade gelato for dessert every night!

Today we say arrivederci to the Eternal City and depart for the rolling hills of Tuscany. En route from Rome to the Cinque Terre, we’ll stop in the beautiful hillside village of Montalcino, where we’ll be hosted by a local family on their award-winning vineyard and estate. They’ll treat us to a tour of their winery and host a private cooking lesson for us. If the weather is warm enough, you’ll even be able to swim in their pool overlooking the countryside. After an incredible day, we’ll continue onwards to the Cinque Terre for dinner.

Our time in the Cinque Terre is always one of the most memorable portions of the trip. We stay right in the heart of one of the villages at a family-run hotel, not outside the region in the larger town of La Spezia. Students love the picturesque Italian coastline, swimming in the Mediterranean, and exploring all of the quaint villages. Students may choose to hike between the villages or take the train that connects them. Either way, the views are breathtaking and the culture isn’t any more authentic than this!

En route from the Cinque Terre to Venice, we’ll stop in the charming city of Parma for a traditional food tasting. Parma is known as one of Italy’s culinary capitals, as it’s home to balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese, among other delicacies. After a delicious lunch, we’ll continue on to the Italian gem of Venice. Our hotel is in the heart of this pedestrian-only city. Take a walking tour over the famous Rialto Bridge and down to Saint Mark’s Square, the buzzing heart of the city. For dinner, enjoy perhaps the  best pizza you’ll ever have!

Venice has always been an artist’s haven, so we’ll start the day by learning about the tradition of mask-making and even making our own masks. In the afternoon, visit either the incredible Peggy Guggenheim collection or the Doge’s Palace. After another incredible dinner, we’ll take an evening walk to admire the canals by twilight, gelato in hand.

On our final day in Italy, we’ll explore beyond the main Venetian lagoon to the picturesque islands of Murano and Burano. Ride a vaporetto boat out to Murano, where we’ll watch a traditional glassblowing demonstration and surely pick up some souvenirs to bring home. Then we’ll have lunch on the beautiful island of Burano, famous for its multicolored houses and wide squares. Students will have time for some last-minute souvenir shopping before we enjoy an upscale final dinner to celebrate the end of an incredible trip!

Your TFT guides will accompany you to the airport and assist you with check-in for your flight. Wave goodbye as you head through security and sit back and relax on your flight home.