Italy with the family. That's Amore!

Italy awes. It inspires. It wows from every angle. But if you haven't been there before - or you're planning a multigenerational trip - the sheer beauty and magnitude of “awe”  available in Italy can make it a little overwhelming to create the perfect itinerary. And that's when I'm not afraid to cheat! From river cruises to tours to packaged trips, I happen to enjoy leaning on experts so I can have a vacation too! 

Deep in the pandemic - when we were free to travel, but with masks and COVID tests - I was DESPERATE to get away. As if by fate, I got an email with a GREAT DEAL on Italy (including air, hotel accommodations, some meals and excursions) visiting Rome, Florence and Venice. It was tempting. So tempting that I called my brother to see if he - and his partner - might be interested in joining a little family vacation. 

When they said "yes," I said "yes" and clicked a button for a Globus Italy tour. 

That's all I had to do to book a vacation to Italy - with everything already planned. Click a button, pay and wait for the big departure date to arrive. 

[In full disclosure, I do communications for the Globus family of brands so I know I can trust the company. With that said, this was not a free trip or a perk of my job. I paid for it - willingly!]

Resolved to enjoy a “veni, vidi, vici” experience on a multigenerational tour, our 7-day vacation took place in November, during the off-season, promising us a better price with the benefit of fewer crowds while traversing through the country’s most popular destinations, from Saint Peter’s Basilica to the Bridge of Sighs.

ROME:

We began our weeklong sojourn in the Lazio region – the beating heart of this country. From ancient ruins to rolling vineyards, here we at access to the richest tapestries of history in the world in Rome – a place that promises a treasure trove of “wow” around every corner!

And, while it’s impossible to grasp the wonder that accompanies a walk through the storied streets of Rome, “pinch me” moments were on overdrive. So were swollen feet.

This ease into “incredible” began on our very first night in Rome with a “Welcome” dinner at a local restaurant. And while I can say that this dinner provided a fun opportunity to meet fellow guests and enjoy our first evening in Italy, my teenagers were ready go to bed after the second course – and a long day of travel. 

Our second day in Rome started bright and early and was one for the history books! It began by skipping a long line at the Vatican Museums to enjoy guided sightseeing inside - including Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring ceiling at the Sistine Chapel and his equally moving La Pieta, found in Saint Peter’s Basilica. While my neck grew tired from looking up at his ceiling, it was my heart that broke when viewing his marble masterpiece – representing the “Sixth Sorrow” of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Our Roman holiday continued with a guided tour of the Colosseum – all before 1PM! Walking through the ancient amphitheater, we imagined the gladiatorial contests that once thrilled Roman audiences and learned what life was like for these slaves and volunteers.

And, while our morning proved monumental in every way, by the afternoon, my teens had decided they didn’t want to walk any more. Instead, they had seen locals getting around via electric scooters and wanted to do as the locals were doing. This is where I remind our reader that Rome was created before automobiles and traffic lights. It has a love affair with roundabouts and cobblestones – two things that are in direct conflict with teens on electric scooters.

That said, off they went on our scooters (I met them on foot) to spend time at Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and a final stop at the Spanish Steps for good measure. And I can say, with absolute authority, that Globus’ off-season promise to deliver fewer crowds paid off in incredible ways. Look at the images below. We're basically by ourselves. In Italy!

That night, we ventured into the Trastevere neighborhood for a “foodie” walking tour that we booked on our own. The tour took us through narrow, charming streets to discover hidden culinary gems and ended with a a Tiramisu tasting in a basement that was once a Jewish courtyard. Fascinating!

ASSISI TO FLORENCE:

From Rome, we traveled through medieval hilltop towns and meadows through the green heart of Italy, en route to Florence, before finding ourselves at Assisi – the home of St. Francis (born 1180) – which brings thousands of pilgrims every year. 

Then, on to Florence! Surrounded by wine-rich hills and brimming with narrow, cobblestone alleyways that are bookended by 16th-century palaces and marble basilicas, Florence offered us a delectable feast for our eyes, souls and tastebuds. 

Here, early on “Day 4” of our tour, a local guide invited us to be the first of the day to walk through the Academy of Fine Arts to see David, standing tall over our small group. We continued to Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s "Gates of Paradise," and Signoria Square, each revealing Florence's rich artistic heritage. 

The afternoon was ours to explore at leisure, including photos on the Ponte Vecchio – once again, without the typical crowds – and a tough but worthwhile climb up 463 steps to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome for the most beautiful, panoramic views of the city.

PISA TO VENICE:

A visit to Pisa – en route to Venice – was next on our itinerary, where the iconic Leaning Tower awaited. Capturing classic tourist photos and exploring the Piazza dei Miracoli were highlights for my teen travellers. It was a fun way to break-up our drive with an hour’s worth of belly laughs!

Venice welcomed us with a private boat ride through its enchanting canals. The guided walking tour included St. Mark’s Square, Doges’ Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs – giving meaning to the name for all of us. And while our November adventure was extraordinary in so many ways, it’s worth noting that colder temperatures and rain greeted us along the canals of Venice. 

Our morning of sightseeing was quite cold but a glassblower demonstration which took place – inside, near a fire – to showcase the craftsmanship that Venice is famous for, was the perfect way to cap-off the morning. Warm and inspired.

The afternoon allowed us to explore Venice’s labyrinthine streets. One of our most memorable moments was winding and bending – and even ducking – our way through Venice's alleyways in search of the perfect pizza. We found a quaint, tucked-away pizzeria that invited us in to sit at a quaint table in a brick-lined dome enclave.

We also had the surreal experience of walking across the Rialto Bridge and posing for photos without the usual crowds. Standing on one of the most famous bridges in the world, with the Grand Canal stretching out beneath us, was a moment of pure magic.

Our farewell dinner at the hotel was a moment of reflection, sharing stories, photos and laughter among our family.

LINKS & WINKS:

Globus elevated our Italian adventure with included, hand-picked hotel stays and the services of Tour Director and several local guides. And because the experts were with us, handling all of the details (from transportation to excursions) I was free to enjoy every moment with my family. From a tailor-made Roman highlights tour to riding a gondola through Venice’s canals – paired with a great deal of free time for our own explorations – we enjoyed a pretty great escape.

HERE IS A LINK to the Globus Escape we took. If you want someone else to organize the basics, but you don't want to take a group tour, Globus also offers Independent City Stays through Italy. Here's that LINK too. 

[Again, full disclosure ... I do communications for the Globus family of brands. But I paid the full price and booked this trip on my own. :)]