Italy rewards curiosity. Ancient forums rub shoulders with espresso bars, Renaissance domes frame gelato stands, and canals whisper centuries of mercantile glory. This 10-day, mid-range itinerary blends the greatest hits with hands-on family experiences—from gladiator lessons and pasta-making to Chianti tastings and a Vivaldi concert.

We’ll base you in Rome, Florence, and Venice—three cities that define the country’s art, architecture, and cuisine. Expect easy train connections, walkable neighborhoods, and plenty of kid-approved breaks: parks, gelato stops, and workshops where history becomes a game.

Book major sights in advance (Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Uffizi, Accademia) and pack comfortable shoes. Italy’s cuisine is wonderfully regional, so try local specialties in each city: Roman cacio e pepe, Florentine bistecca, and Venetian cicchetti. Trains between cities are fast and affordable; we’ve included times, cost ranges, and booking options via Omio.

Rome

Rome is a living museum where emperors, popes, and modern Romans share the stage. The Colosseum and Forum anchor the ancient heart, while the Vatican crowns the city with Michelangelo’s dome and the world’s largest art collection. Yet Rome is equally about street life—piazzas, fountains, and that first perfect espresso.

Families love the easily walkable historic center, car-free evenings in Trastevere, and kid-pleasing pizza al taglio. Sports fans can tour Stadio Olimpico (Roma/Lazio), and music lovers hit concerts at the Auditorium Parco della Musica. Save time for parks: Villa Borghese is Rome’s “backyard,” with bikes and boats.

• Top sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s, Castel Sant’Angelo.
• Eat & drink: Roscioli Caffè (breakfast cornetti), Pizzarium Bonci (pizza by the slice), Da Enzo al 29 (classic Roman), Trapizzino (street-food pocket).
• Fun fact: The Pantheon’s concrete dome (AD 126) is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.

Where to stay: For space and value, look in Prati, Monti, or near Piazza Navona. Browse family apartments and hotels here: VRBO Rome | Hotels.com Rome

Getting there: Search flights to Rome (FCO/CIA) on Omio Flights. From FCO, the Leonardo Express to Termini (~32 min; ~€14) or a fixed-rate taxi (~€50) are easiest for families.

Florence

Florence distills the Renaissance into a walkable city of domes and frescoes. You’ll stand inches from Michelangelo’s David, wander the Uffizi’s Botticellis, and watch goldsmiths on the Ponte Vecchio. Across the river, the artisan quarter (Oltrarno) hums with workshops.

It’s a paradise for leather shopping and espresso breaks. Families thrive here thanks to manageable distances, markets full of easy eats, and parks with hilltop views. Tuscany’s vineyards roll close enough for an afternoon tasting.

• Top sights: Duomo & Baptistery, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia (David), Piazza della Signoria, Boboli Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo.
• Eat & drink: Ditta Artigianale (specialty coffee), La Ménagère (brunch/flowers), Trattoria Sabatino (old-school value), All’Antico Vinaio (famed schiacciata sandwiches; go early).
• Fun fact: Modern Italian language owes much to Florentine writers Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio.

Where to stay: Consider Santa Croce or Oltrarno for quiet streets and easy walks. See options: VRBO Florence | Hotels.com Florence

Rome → Florence: High-speed trains ~1h30–1h40, typically €25–€60 if booked early. Compare times/prices on Omio Trains. Budget buses take ~3.5–4h from ~€12–€25 via Omio Buses.

Venice

Venice is improbable and irresistible: 118 islands stitched by bridges, no cars, and light that painters chased for centuries. Wander beyond San Marco to find quiet campi, artisan mask studios, and cicchetti bars where locals snack standing up.

Families enjoy vaporetto rides as much as museums, and hands-on workshops turn souvenirs into memories. Plan for early starts to beat crowds and for island day trips to Murano and Burano.

• Top sights: St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market, Grand Canal, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, islands of Murano, Burano, Torcello.
• Eat & drink: Cantine del Vino già Schiavi (cicchetti), All’Arco (tiny, fantastic), Osteria alla Staffa (comforting Venetian plates), Gelatoteca Suso (gelato).
• Fun fact: Venice’s “streets” are canals; addresses are by sestiere (district) and building number, not street names.

Where to stay: For quieter nights and easy access, look at Cannaregio or Dorsoduro. Browse: VRBO Venice | Hotels.com Venice

Florence → Venice: High-speed trains ~2h–2h10, often €20–€50 booked ahead on Omio Trains. Buses run ~4–5h from ~€15–€28 via Omio Buses.

Day 1 — Arrive in Rome

Afternoon: Land in Rome, check in, and shake off jet lag with a gentle loop: Piazza Navona’s fountains, the Pantheon (peek at the oculus), and gelato at Giolitti (classic Roman scoops—pistachio is superb).

Evening: Stroll to the Trevi Fountain at dusk for fewer crowds and gorgeous lighting. Dinner nearby at Armando al Pantheon (Roman pastas; book ahead) or La Matriciana (since 1870; hearty amatriciana). Early night.

Day 2 — Ancient Rome Essentials

Morning: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Book a timed-entry combo ticket; guided family tours add context and skip lines. Expect ~3–4 hours; tickets from ~€18 adults, kids often free or reduced.

Afternoon: Lunch at Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (friendly, near the Forum). Then Capitoline Museums for the best ancient statuary and a rooftop view over the Forum. Coffee break at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (old-school espresso).

Evening: Monti neighborhood boutique browsing (Via del Boschetto) and pizza at Pizzeria Baffetto or Emma Pizzeria. Finish with a passeggiata along Via dei Coronari’s antique shops.

Day 3 — Vatican Highlights + Sports Night

Morning: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (early-entry slots are golden), then St. Peter’s Basilica. Climb the dome for Rome’s best panorama if energy allows (~€8–€10; elevator option).

Afternoon: Walk via Castel Sant’Angelo to Villa Borghese for rowboats or rentable bikes. Family-friendly snack at Trapizzino (triangular sandwiches stuffed with Roman stews).

Evening: Stadio Olimpico tour (locker rooms, pitch-side, museum; from ~€15–€20 adults). If a Serie A or Europa match coincides, swap the tour for game night; otherwise, catch the match at Highlander Pub or Abbey Theatre Pub (both show live sports; kid-welcoming early in the evening).

Day 4 — Hands-On Rome: Gladiators, Markets, Trastevere

Morning: Gladiator School (Gruppo Storico Romano): kids don tunics and learn basic moves with foam swords; adults can join. Plan ~2 hours; from ~€70–€100 per participant.

Afternoon: Testaccio Market for a budget-friendly lunch: Mordi e Vai (famed beef-panino), CasaManco (inventive pizza al taglio), and fresh fruit. Explore the Aventine Keyhole and the Orange Garden for skyline views.

Evening: Cross the Tiber to Trastevere. Dinner at Da Enzo al 29 (tiny, traditional) or Tonnarello (casual, big portions). Finish with gelato at Fatamorgana (creative flavors) and street musicians in Piazza di Santa Maria.

Day 5 — Train to Florence + Duomo

Morning: High-speed train to Florence (~1h30–1h40; usually €25–€60 on Omio Trains). Walk or taxi to your lodging and drop bags.

Afternoon: Duomo complex: Baptistery’s golden mosaics, the Cathedral interior, and Giotto’s Bell Tower climb (fewer steps than the dome, great views). Coffee at Ditta Artigianale (specialty beans, kids’ pastries).

Evening: Dinner at Trattoria ZaZa (crowd-pleaser; Tuscan staples) or Trattoria Sabatino (old-school, wallet-friendly). Post-dinner stroll to Piazza della Signoria and the Loggia dei Lanzi sculptures.

Day 6 — Uffizi, David, and Leather Shopping

Morning: Uffizi Gallery. Focus on Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera, Leonardo’s Annunciation, and Raphael rooms; book timed entry (~€12–€25 depending on season).

Afternoon: Quick lunch at All’Antico Vinaio (go before noon to avoid lines) or the Mercato Centrale food hall (lots of family choices). Then the Accademia to meet Michelangelo’s David (timed tickets essential). Leather goods browsing around San Lorenzo; look for hand-stitched edges and soft, even grain.

Evening: Short classical concert at St. Mark’s Anglican Church or Orsanmichele (rotating programs; ~€20–€35). Dinner in Oltrarno at Trattoria 4 Leoni (pear-and-pecorino ravioli) or Osteria Santo Spirito (cozy, family-friendly).

Day 7 — Cooking Class + Chianti Wine Tasting

Morning: Family pasta-and-gelato cooking class with market visit (common format: fresh tagliatelle, tiramisù or gelato; ~3–4 hours; ~€80–€120 adults, reduced for kids). You’ll eat what you make—always a hit.

Afternoon: Half-day Chianti tour from Florence (group minivan is budget-friendly): two wineries, cellar tours, and olive oil tasting. Non-drinkers enjoy vineyard walks and farm snacks. Typical duration ~5 hours; ~€55–€90 per adult. Compare options on Omio if transport-based, or book a guided excursion locally.

Evening: Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo (grab take-away pizza from Gusta Pizza en route). Gelato at La Strega Nocciola on the walk back.

Day 8 — Train to Venice + Cicchetti Crawl

Morning: High-speed train Florence → Venice Santa Lucia (~2h–2h10; €20–€50 via Omio Trains). Buy a 24–48h vaporetto pass for easy boat transit.

Afternoon: Settle in, then Rialto Market (fish and produce; morning is livelier). Start a family-friendly cicchetti crawl: All’Arco (tiny, fantastic), Cantina Do Spade (historic), and Cantine del Vino già Schiavi in Dorsoduro (creative toppings; kids can try tramezzini).

Evening: Vivaldi-themed chamber concert at Chiesa della Pietà or Musica a Palazzo’s intimate opera-in-a-palazzo format (short acts suit kids). Tickets often ~€25–€45; check schedules.

Day 9 — Islands: Murano & Burano + Mask Workshop

Morning: Vaporetto to Murano for a glassblowing demo; the masters shape molten glass into vases and sea creatures in minutes. Continue to Burano for lace traditions and candy-colored houses—bring your camera.

Afternoon: Lunch on Burano (Trattoria Al Gatto Nero da Ruggero for risotto di gò, or the simpler Trattoria da Primo e Paolo). Return to Dorsoduro for a mask-making workshop (e.g., traditional papier-mâché painting; ~1–2 hours; ~€40–€80 per person depending on complexity). Kids love taking their mask home.

Evening: Dinner near Zattere at Osteria Al Squero (cicchetti beside a gondola workshop) or Osteria alla Staffa (small, reservations help). Post-dinner gelato at Nico on the waterfront.

Day 10 — St. Mark’s, Doge’s Palace, and Departure

Morning: St. Mark’s Basilica (go early; modest dress). Then Doge’s Palace with the Bridge of Sighs; the Secret Itineraries tour adds dungeons and hidden rooms for older kids (~€28–€35).

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping in Cannaregio (artisan paper, marbled notebooks) and a coffee at Torrefazione Cannaregio. Head to the airport: Alilaguna water bus to VCE (~1h15; ~€15) or private water taxi (fast, pricier). For flights out, search Omio Flights.

Getting between cities summary: Rome → Florence ~1h30–1h40 by high-speed train (€25–€60). Florence → Venice ~2h–2h10 (€20–€50). Compare schedules and reserve seats on Omio Trains. Budget buses add time but can save money: check Omio Buses.

Coffee, food, and budget tips: Stand at the bar for cheaper coffee; table service adds a coperto (cover charge). Share big mains (bistecca) and order carafes of house wine for value. Pre-book the big museums and choose one “marquee” meal per city, balancing the rest with markets and casual trattorias.

This itinerary layers Italy’s classics with family-forward experiences: ancient arenas, Renaissance icons, island workshops, and tastes you’ll crave long after you’re home. With fast trains, mid-range stays, and smart pre-booking, you’ll see a lot without feeling rushed—and leave already plotting a return.