Showing 16 days
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Departure Day — Wheels Up!
The grand tour begins! California crew departs SFO at 4:40 PM; Phoenix crew departs at 2:35 PM. We meet on the other side in Rome.
📝 Pack snacks in your carry-on. The two crews will reunite in Rome tomorrow.
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Arrivals in Rome — Trevi Fountain & First Gelato
California Crew arrives 1:40 PM; Phoenix Crew arrives 4:30 PM. Once we're all together, it's time for a first walk, the Trevi Fountain, and a proper Italian dinner.
📝 Jet lag is real. Keep the first afternoon gentle. The kids will be running on fumes but also pure excitement.
Monday, March 30, 2026
Ancient Rome — Gladiator School & Golf Cart Tour
Dive deep into ancient Rome with a morning Gladiator School session and an afternoon golf cart tour of the city's greatest hits.
📝 Book Gladiator School and golf cart tour in advance. Kids absolutely love the gladiator experience. Bring water — Rome in late March can still be warm.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Day Trip to Pompeii — Frozen in Time
An early morning train to Pompeii for a guided tour of the ancient buried city, then back to Rome by evening.
📝 This is a long day — pack snacks and water. Comfortable walking shoes only (uneven ancient stone streets). Book train tickets in advance.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Arrivederci Roma — High-Speed Train to Florence
An early train whisks us to the birthplace of the Renaissance. Afternoon to explore Florence and grab a Panini from a local deli.
📝 Florence is extremely walkable. The Da Vinci Museum is excellent for kids and a good rainy-day backup. Leonardo inventions in hands-on exhibit form.
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Michelangelo's David, Then Into the Tuscan Hills
Morning with the most famous statue in the world, then we drive south into the rolling hills of Tuscany for our countryside stay.
📝 The David is extraordinary in person. Remind the kids it was carved over 500 years ago from a single block of marble. Pre-book Accademia tickets — lines are long.
Friday, April 3, 2026
Tuscany — Cooking Class & Truffle Hunt
A hands-on day in the heart of Tuscany: a proper Italian cooking class in the morning and a truffle hunt through the woods in the afternoon.
📝 The truffle hunt is a highlight the kids will talk about for years. The dog does most of the work but kids can 'help'. Book both activities in advance through Isabella Experience.
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Tuscany — Farm Visit & Winery
A relaxed Tuscan Saturday on a local farm and at a family-friendly winery — olive oil, local food, and that famous Chianti countryside.
📝 Kids can try fresh-pressed grape juice at the winery. San Gimignano's gelato at Dondoli is world-famous — worth a detour if schedules allow.
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Leaving Tuscany — Train to the Floating City
Drive back to Florence, then board the high-speed train north to Venice. Arriving at Santa Lucia station, stepping out onto the Grand Canal is unforgettable.
📝 Venice has no cars. Wheeled suitcases are a pain — pack what you can carry. The vaporetto (water bus) is cheap and scenic.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Venice — Murano Glass & Burano Lace
Hop the vaporetto to Murano to watch master glassblowers at work, then continue to the rainbow-painted island of Burano.
📝 Glassblowing demos are magical for kids. Burano is Instagram-perfect — every house is a different color. The vaporetto pass is worth buying for the full day.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Into Slovenia — Bus Through the Julian Alps to Lake Bled
An early bus from Venice Mestre crosses into Slovenia through stunning mountain scenery, arriving at one of Europe's most photographed lakes.
📝 The drive through the Julian Alps is spectacular — have cameras ready for the mountains. Kremna rezina (Bled cream cake) is the local specialty — find it at Park Hotel Café.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Ring the Wishing Bell — Then On to Ljubljana
A pletna boat to the island church to ring the famous wishing bell, then drive to Slovenia's charming dragon-filled capital.
📝 The wishing bell tradition is that you ring it three times and make a wish for each ring. Perfect for kids. Ljubljana is famously car-free in its center — great for exploring on foot.
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle
A day trip from Ljubljana to two of Slovenia's most dramatic attractions: a vast underground cave system and a medieval castle built into a cliff face.
📝 Postojna Cave is the second-longest cave system in Europe. Bring a light jacket — it's 8°C (46°F) inside the cave year-round. Predjama Castle is one of the most dramatic buildings in the world.
Friday, April 10, 2026
Flying to London — Final Chapter Begins
Morning flight from Ljubljana to London Heathrow, then straight to the London Eye for our first views of the capital.
📝 The Heathrow Express is the fastest way into London (Paddington Station). Oyster card or contactless card for the Tube. Pounds sterling — exchange any remaining euros.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
London — Tower, Palace & the Best of the City
A full day taking on London's greatest hits: the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and whatever else the crew wants to see.
📝 Changing of the Guard schedule varies — check the official Royal website before going. The British Museum is free and extraordinary. Pack souvenirs carefully for the flight home.
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Homeward Bound — What an Adventure!
The grand tour comes to an end. Arizona crew departs 10:05 AM; California crew departs 10:35 AM. See you back in the US with full hearts and a thousand memories.
📝 Allow extra time for Heathrow — it's a big airport. Currency: spend any remaining pounds or exchange at the airport. Customs declaration forms on the plane for US re-entry.