View of Florence and the Duomo from Piazzale Michelangelo
The Colon Family presents...
Our Family Adventure to Italy
June 11 – 21, 2026
11 days, 4 cities, 1 unforgettable family adventure. Here's the big picture.
Ci vediamo in Italia! Everyone departs from their home cities—Detroit, Raleigh, and Denver—headed for the adventure of a lifetime.
Settle into our apartments near the Duomo! Evening walk to Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, pizza dinner at Bastioni di San Niccolo, and sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. Sun sets at 8:55 pm.
Florence • 3 NightsAM: 9 am – 1 pm guided walking tour with Paola (Florence Tour) including the Accademia to see THE David.
PM: Lunch at Mercato Centrale, free time to explore.
Evening: Sunset at San Miniato al Monte or Piazzale Michelangelo, dinner, gelato!
AM: 9:30 am Uffizi Gallery tour with Paola (booked entry).
PM: Free time—Basilica Santa Croce, Oltrarno neighborhood, shopping.
Evening: Dinner, gelato, pack for early departure!
9 am: Depart via 2 hired vans with Paola.
11 am: Montepulciano—walk, wine, views!
~3:30 pm: Orvieto—cathedral, ceramics, white wine.
~7:30 pm: Arrive Rome. Walk the Monti neighborhood, dinner, see the "Wedding Cake" monument lit up.
AM/PM: Guided tour of Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel + St. Peter's Basilica (~3–4 hrs).
PM: Lunch near Vatican, explore on your own.
Evening: Dinner and gelato.
AM: 9 am guided tour—Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill (~3 hrs).
PM: Lunch near the Forum. Explore: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps.
Evening: Dinner in Trastevere.
Train from Roma Termini to Formia-Gaeta (~1 hr 15 min). Check in to Hotel Mirasole. Wander, explore, swim in the Mediterranean!
Gaeta • 2 NightsSerapo Beach, hotel pool, lungomare stroll, Montagna Spaccata (Split Mountain!), Grotta del Turco sea cave, pedal boats, old town Gaeta, boat tour, and ALL the gelato.
Enjoy the morning in Gaeta, then late train to Rome for our final night at Guest House Brezza Marina near the airport.
Early morning flights home. WAH! But what memories we'll carry with us.
June 12–15 • 3 Nights
"The Cradle of the Renaissance"
4-hour guided walking tour with Paola from Florence Tour (florencetour.com). Meet at our location (Via Martelli 8). Includes visit to the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David!
Tickets need to be printed or downloaded to phone.
Guided Uffizi tour with Paola from Florence Tour. Booked entry for 9:30 am. One of the world's greatest art museums!
Tickets for Uffizi needed.
The visual heart of Florence. Stepping inside helps you feel the scale of the city's ambition.
Free (entry line can be long)The most "only-in-Florence" view — you're walking inside a Renaissance engineering miracle. 463 steps!
~€30–35/adult (timed reservation required)Similar wow-factor views, slightly different vantage, still a stair workout but easier than the Dome.
~€15–20Ancient Florence + famous "Gates of Paradise" doors + gorgeous interior. Quick but memorable.
~€10–15Outdoor art gallery + the political stage of Florence. Easy to appreciate even for non-museum people.
FreeThe postcard bridge! Fun for photos and an easy walk between the core sights and Oltrarno.
FreeFlorence's "hall of fame" — Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli are buried here. Beautiful interior.
~€8–10/adultThe easiest, biggest-view payoff in Florence. Great for the whole family!
FreeQuieter and even more special than Piazzale — feels like "secret Florence."
FreeFlorence's power center. Great story-driven museum for mixed ages.
VariesA break from museums. Good if kids need space — grand garden feel. Bardini is less crowded.
VariesGreat for picky eaters and teens — everyone picks their own lunch! Artisan food stalls.
VariesQuick browsing + the historic Leather School of Florence.
Free to browseThe oldest pharmacy in the world, est. in the 1200s. Gorgeous interior, unique souvenirs.
Free to visitNear sunset viewpoints. Great first-night dinner spot.
Organic pizza — great for those wanting lighter fare.
Creative, modern pizza spot.
Near Mercato Centrale. Handles group reservations! Great for our crew.
Tuscan classics, central location.
Piazza della Passera in Oltrarno. Local favorite.
Near Piazza Santa Croce. Family-friendly, local vibe.
Via dei Renai, 12–14. Family restaurant, 15 min walk down from sunset viewpoint.
Make a reservation!
Classic Florence — perfect for a special final-night dinner.
The splurge option.
I Fratellini — tiny, historic, fast, locals love it.
Da'Vinattieri — old school paninoteca near Piazza della Signoria.
Antico Noè — tiny, serious sandwiches.
Near Santa Croce. Florentines flock here!
Near the Duomo. Convenient and delicious.
Near Accademia — perfect post-David treat.
Near Orsanmichele Church.
Just across the Carraia Bridge. A local favorite.
Historic but popular (aka busy).
Gelato drowned in espresso — the ultimate Italian combo. Ask for it anywhere!
Closest to our apartments. Opens at 7 am — your morning go-to.
Multiple locations. Trendy, excellent espresso.
Piazza San Giovanni, facing the Duomo. What a location!
Monday, June 15
Through the Tuscan & Umbrian Hill Towns
Two hired vans with Paola pick us up. Checkout between 8–9 am. Arrivederci, Firenze!
Can't drive into the town! Get dropped off and walk up the Via di Gracciano nel Corso to Piazza Grande. Shops, wine, snacks, and incredible VIEWS.
Can't drive in! Take the funicular up into town. Known for ceramics, Classico white wine, and the stunning cathedral.
Check in near the train station. Walk through the Monti neighborhood, family-style trattoria dinner, then walk up to Piazza Venezia to see the "Wedding Cake" monument lit up at night.
June 15–18 • 3 Nights
"The Eternal City"
Full guided tour of the Vatican complex. One of the greatest art collections in the world, culminating in the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Walk through ancient Rome! The Colosseum arena, the Forum where Caesar walked, and Palatine Hill with sweeping views.
Iconic! Toss a coin and make a wish. Now requires a €2 entry fee.
€2The most perfectly preserved ancient building in Rome. The dome + oculus are jaw-dropping.
VariesLively square with Bernini's fountain. Perfect for strolling & gelato.
FreeClassic Rome landmark — great for people-watching.
FreeStunning art in a beautiful villa setting. Book well in advance!
VariesPeek through a keyhole for a perfectly framed view of St. Peter's dome. Fun surprise!
FreeLively open-air market in the morning, bar scene at night.
FreeCharming cobblestone neighborhood. Perfect for an evening stroll and dinner.
FreeAncient statues + the best Roman Forum overlook.
VariesSolid Roman pizza, casual. 10 min walk from the Forum. Great post-tour lunch.
Upscale, with views of the Colosseum!
Rome is famous for street food. Supplì (fried rice balls), pizza al taglio (by the slice), and more. Don't miss it!
Historic Roman gelateria. Large, classic stop.
Simple and convenient but good.
Close to our lodging. Local, good espresso & cornetti (pastries).
Near the Basilica. Solid cappuccino & pastries.
June 18–20 • 2 Nights
Time to RELAX! Beach, gelato, repeat.
Check in, lunch, relax on Serapo Beach. Evening stroll + dinner near Piazza XIX Maggio.
Morning: Montagna Spaccata + Grotta del Turco. Afternoon: Beach, boat ride, or pool. Evening: Harbor dinner.
Enjoy the morning, then late train to Rome for our final night near the airport.
Regionale Veloce (~1 hr 30 min, ~€7–15/adult) or Intercity (~1 hr 15 min, assigned seating). Trains run 1–2 per hour.
~5 km / 10–15 min. Taxi (~€20–25), bus (~€1.50–2), or hotel pickup. For our group, a pre-booked van is best.
Time to book your flights! Everyone departs June 11 and arrives in Florence June 12. Return flights depart Rome (FCO) on June 21.
Key dates to match:
T2 Tram Line from airport to Santa Maria Novella
Arrives at Piazza dell'Unità Italiana (near train station)
8 min walk to Via Martelli 8
Via Martelli 8, Duomo, 50129 Florence
Each family has their own apartment. Steps from the Duomo!
Booked via VRBO
June 12–15 (3 nights)Via dell'Esquilino 38, 00185 Roma
300 sqm! 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, elevator, A/C, washer & dryer. Ancient palace from the 1800s, restored in modern style.
Check-in: 3 PM • Check-out: 11 AM
Booked via Booking.com
June 15–18 (3 nights)Near Serapo Beach, Gaeta
Hotel near the beach with a pool!
Booked via Booking.com
June 18–20 (2 nights)Near Fiumicino Airport, Rome
Quick access to FCO for early morning flights.
Booked via Booking.com
June 20–21 (1 night)Always start with "Buongiorno!" then:
Not mandatory but appreciated (Euros only). Locals leave leftover change. Tip if you're happy with the service.
Use the Uber app in Rome — you'll know exactly how much you're spending upfront.
Most likely we'll have flights of stairs to climb with our luggage. Pack accordingly!
Some things we still need to figure out together. Weigh in!
Remember: 463 steps, tight spaces, no bags. Different people may want different options!
After the Uffizi, should we visit? Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli are buried there (~€8–10/adult).
Private 2–3 hour boat excursion to see cliffs, grottoes, and beaches. Great for our group!
Pizza or pasta-making class in Gaeta or nearby Formia. Fun for kids and adults!
Just 20 min north. Stunning whitewashed seaside town with a long beach and Roman Villa ruins.
Several Florence spots recommend reservations for groups our size:
Our Family Challenge! Monthly Italy-themed challenges from November through June.
Each family forms a team, picks a name, and designs a flag!
Complete Italy-themed challenges each month to earn bragging rights!
November through June — culminating in our trip!
Italian Culture & Traditions — Team names, flags, fun facts, intro videos
Holiday Traditions & Food — Cook Italian, learn about La Befana, holiday scavenger hunt
Masters of Art & Architecture — Visit exhibits, create masterpieces
Language & Lifestyle — Learn Italian phrases, immerse in the culture
Legends, History & Ancient Rome — Storytelling and themed activities
Final challenges leading up to our big adventure!
Submit results: Each family has a folder in the shared Google Drive. Be creative! Due: Last day of each month.
Make (via Canva or Etsy) travel journals to document the trip!
Buongiorno, grazie, per favore — even a little goes a long way.
Everyone presents on 1 thing for our trip: a city or something fun!
For covering shoulders at churches.
Accademia and Uffizi tickets — printed or on your phone.
Expect stairs with luggage! Rome has a washer & dryer.
Covered by MG & PJC — Grazie mille!
| Category | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lodging | ||
| Florence | B&B Le Stanze del Duomo | $3,390 |
| Rome | Apartment near Termini | $4,421 |
| Gaeta | Hotel Mirasole International | $2,994 |
| Rome (final night) | Guest House Brezza Marina | $779 |
| Tours | ||
| Florence | Walking Tour + Accademia | $614 |
| Rome | Colosseum + Palatine + Forum | $1,060 |
| Rome | Vatican + Sistine Chapel + St. Peter's | $602 |
| Transportation | ||
| Florence → Rome | 2 vans (1,100€ x 2) | $2,600 |
| Total | $16,460 | |
Costs in USD at the time of conversion from Euros.