JUNIOR EXPLORERS IN ITALY

Step back in time and experience a day in ancient Rome on a tour of the capital’s best-known archaeological monuments. Your guide will lead you out of the modern-day metropolis, along a time-worn route, past triumphal arches, majestic temples and impressive colonnades, to a time when the city stood at the centre of one of history’s most powerful empires. Take a deep breath and what you’ve only read about in books now appears right before your eyes!

Your voyage back down the centuries begins as you step into the largest and most imposing amphitheatre of the Roman world – the Colosseum. Marvel at the accomplishments of ancient engineering as your guide illuminates the history behind the construction of this architectural masterpiece, astonishing evidence of the Romans’ know-how and innovation in the fields of technology and science. The first stone was laid in 72 AD at the request of Emperor Vespasian who wished to donate a gift to the Roman citizens and win their support with panem et circenses – bread and circuses. The gruesome calendar of shows of great popular appeal staged inside the Colosseum included warrior fights, wild animal hunts and executions. These events served to appease public discontent and were used both as a form of entertainment and a means of controlling the masses. Roam through the ruins of stone walls and bleachers and imagine how a gladiator must have felt while he prepared for battle and awaited his destiny stirred by the cries and cheers of 60,000 impatient spectators echoing through the arena.

Specially created to provide families with an entertaining and informative overview of ancient Roman history, society and culture this tour also covers Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, the commercial, political and civic heart of the empire. Enjoy the myths and stories rooted in Rome as you follow a carefully planned route through the remains of the Caput Mundi, retracing the footsteps of powerful rulers, faithful temple-goers and busy market traders. Your guide will bring the ancient city back to life, conjuring up the epic figures who walked along its streets and the world-shattering events that took place on this very spot. You will decipher Roman numbers and Latin inscriptions, see where yesteryear’s citizens worshipped their deities, admire the remains of once vibrant public spaces where trials, business dealings and elections took place. You will also discover which wild beast is closest to the heart of the Romans and learn about the legendary origins of the Eternal City. Can you believe it all began with a fight between two brothers?

All the historical information will be tailored to your children’s age, knowledge and interests, well seasoned with curiosities about customs, myths, symbols and daily life of one of the world’s most fascinating ancient civilizations.

After some free time for lunch, set off for the Via Appia Antica for an exciting gladiator lesson. This adventure begins inside the small local museum housing replicas of artefacts and costumes from ancient Roman times. Here children will learn about weaponry used in traditional gladiator fights and enjoy a light-hearted introduction to Roman history and the daily life of yesteryear’s warriors. Then it’s time for the budding combatants to don their armour and let their imaginations run wild as they re-enact sword duels and fight off ferocious beasts. Under the careful, friendly guidance of professional instructors, young troops, clad in traditional tunics, will have great fun discovering the secrets of Imperial Rome’s gladiator games and learning fighting techniques. No worries grown-ups! Swords are fake and your kids are in safe hands. After receiving a certificate of accomplishment and a gladiator name, watch your children as they return from the fray in high spirits.

Explore one of the world’s most cherished art collections on an exciting scavenger hunt. Secret symbols, hidden meanings, intriguing legends, enigmatic pictures: the Vatican is imbued with mystery. Follow your guide on a stirring trail through centuries of history and enjoy unravelling the riddles.

Over 2,000 rooms display stunning works of art that range from classical sculptures to Renaissance fresco paintings, from Etruscan bronzes to Flemish tapestries, from Egyptian steles to early Christian sarcophagi. Children will learn about the origins and growth of this five-hundred-year-old collection and how to turn the key that will unlock the meaning of the treasures preserved here. By stimulating their curiosity with hints, clues, puzzles and thought-provoking facts, young visitors will be encouraged to examine paintings and sculptures and search for tiny, fascinating details. Your guide will throw light on the history behind the artworks, entertain you with amusing anecdotes and help you untangle the intricate web woven by strands of art, religion and power.

Adults, too, are bound to be captivated by the stories they will hear and certainly enjoy an enlightening experience. You will dip into the lives of the popes and artists, their ambitions, feats and foibles. No one can fail to be beguiled by the tales and rumours that surround the protagonists of what was once one of the West’s most influential seats of power – and is today the world’s smallest state. Did you know that the Vatican is an eighth of the size of New York’s Central Park? In April 2017 its population was a mere 605! The Vatican is the only existing country to be entirely designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts more tourists than any other place in the world, with over 5 million visitors every year.

Your expedition will lead you to the Gallery of Maps. Can you spot familiar places? Isn’t it astonishing that long before airplanes and satellites were invented, artists drew up forerunners of today’s atlases? Next, prepare for a safari inside the Hall of Animals, followed by an encounter with illustrious Roman characters and mythological gods who await you in the Gallery of Statues. The Sistine Chapel conceals hidden portraits and secret messages left in the frescoes by Michelangelo in the 16th century. Here, with your gaze turned up towards the ceiling, try decoding the master’s enigmas. Your hunt will end inside St. Peter’s Basilica. Its colossal masonry dome is one of the largest ever built and the dimensions of its facade are comparable to that of a soccer field!

Your visit, enriched with fun activities, educational games, tales and curiosities about the protagonists of the Vatican’s history, will certainly be an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

What better way for young visitors to savour Italian culture than to join in the fun of a pizza-making class? Enjoy a hands-on, family-friendly experience at one of Rome’s centrally located restaurants and discover the secrets behind the preparation of this traditional world-famous dish.

Pizza is undisputedly the best-known symbol of Italian gastronomy. You may not know that its origins date back to the ancient Greeks and Romans who enjoyed baked flat breads that were seasoned with olive oil and local herbs, creations that today we would call focaccia breads. Indeed it is thought that the word pizza derives from ancient Greek pektos meaning solid or baked.

The invention of the modern pizza is, however, something of a mystery. Neapolitan baker Raffaele Esposito is often credited with the honour of being the very first pizza-maker. According to a popular urban legend, shortly after Italy’s unification, King Umberto I and his wife Queen Margherita, took a trip to Naples. While there, the queen grew bored of French cuisine, which was popular at that time in southern Italy, and requested that something more local be prepared. Chef Esposito did just that. He created a selection of three pizzas for her pleasure, one of which was chosen by the queen as her favourite and supposedly named after her. This pizza was topped with three ingredients whose colours are a tribute to the Italian flag: green basil, white mozzarella cheese and red tomato sauce. And that’s how Pizza Margherita was launched in 1889, triggering a culinary tradition that began in Naples and spread throughout the world.

In the morning your private chauffeur will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to a pizza restaurant where you will take part in an authentic pizza-making class. With the friendly assistance of an expert pizzaiolo, young chefs will learn cooking techniques and recipe secrets including how to knead the dough, roll the perfect pizza base and create the most delicious topping by selecting a well-matched combination of ingredients. An enticing pizza will be the reward for your efforts… Buon appetito!

After lunch you will meet your private guide at the restaurant and enjoy a pleasant walk through town, passing a series of well-loved landmarks on the way. You will be led on a memorable trail through Rome’s city centre and discover how centuries of history forged a modern-day capital of unrivalled fame and magnificence. An impressive open-air museum, Rome displays treasures from every era. Step into the glossy colour plates of this real life history manual and leaf through the pages as you progress from one street to the next, each bookmarked with its own celebrated monuments. Ancient Roman ruins, Renaissance masterpieces, Baroque gems, Neoclassical squares all coalesce in an unbroken procession of cultural, artistic and architectural triumphs stretching back over 2,000 years.

In Piazza Navona, while you admire Bernini’s glorious Fountain of the Four Rivers and the facade of Borromini’s Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, you will hear tales of the most famous enemies in the history of art that will certainly raise a smile. Rivalry is one human characteristic that never changes! Then proceed towards the Pantheon, one of the capital’s oldest, best-preserved and most spectacular buildings. Built by Emperor Hadrian in around 125 AD, it was originally a temple devoted to many gods. With its grandiose colonnade, vast bronze doors and awe-inspiring dome – with a hole on top! – it still fascinates visitors today, almost two thousand years after its completion. You’ll also get the chance to stop for photos in Piazza di Spagna… anyone up for a race to the top of its 135 steps? And don’t forget to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain for good luck as well as to ensure your return trip to Rome.

Top off your day with a gelato-making demonstration at one of the capital’s oldest ice-cream parlours and see first-hand how this best-loved Italian dessert is created.

Gelato is an age-old delicacy, dating back thousands of years. Frozen desserts are recorded as long ago as 3,000 BC when Asian cultures began consuming crushed ice and flavourings. Chinese sorbets made with fruit, milk, rice, honey and ice are probably among the earliest known versions of this favourite treat. But we don’t know exactly when the delicacy was invented or whom we should thank for its creation. A famous Roman ice cream fan was Emperor Nero who used to send servants up to the mountains in search of snow and ice which would then be aromatised with sweet fruits and honey. Our modern gelato may well have its origins in a recipe brought back to Italy from China by Marco Polo. However it was during the Renaissance in Florence, under the rule of the Medici family, that the great tradition of Italian gelato began and from there flourished in Europe and the Americas during the 18th century.

The demonstration will take place at Rome’s most renowned gelateria boasting a rich selection of flavours that has delighted even the pickiest of ice cream eaters since 1900. Popular with locals, tourists, popes and politicians, this family-owned ice cream parlour has hosted generations of gelato addicts – Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck included. Relive William Wyler’s 1953 Roman Holiday as you treat the family to this epicurean experience. The art of perfect gelato is about to be revealed. Make your way to the quiet kitchen at the back of the often bustling, crowded shop, don your aprons, hats and gloves and let your long-dreamed traditional Italian gelato education begin. Discover the secrets behind the creation of the most tempting ice cream in town and see professional gelatieri at work as they whisk together the scrumptious, fresh ingredients. Lend the masters a hand to make the perfect mixture and watch as it turns into delicious gelato right in front of your eyes. When the ice cream you helped concoct is ready, sample your joint efforts as well as some of the gelateria’s mouth-watering flavours on display behind the counter… from vanilla to fudgy chocolate, from black cherry to pistachio…

Now you’re ready to stroll back to your hotel with a soft and creamy gelato in hand.

Follow your guide on a spine-chilling trail through the darkest recesses of haunted Rome. Indeed, crouching beneath the flurry of the modern day metropolis lies its silent, eerie underground twin city of ancient streets, necropolises and domus. You will be led on a subterranean journey back in time past some of the capital’s creepiest and most fascinating locations. As you dig deeper into Rome’s hidden layers, your private guide will animate your journey with curiosities and explanations about the past. Mysterious wall decorations, cryptic graffiti and macabre findings will be pointed out along the way.

An unforgettable experience for the whole family, this entertaining and educational tour provides a perfect mix of history and excitement and will allow young tourists to gain an insight into the Caput Mundi’s origins and development throughout the ages.

Nowhere else in this city are the layers of Roman eras more evident than the impressive multi-levelled Basilica of San Clemente – also known for this very reason as the lasagna church. Marvel at every step as you uncover centuries of history concealed below ground-level. The present-day 12th century basilica sits atop the remains of an earlier 4th century church, which in turn was built over a 3rd century pagan sanctuary dedicated to the god Mithras and a 2nd century Roman dwelling.

You will then enjoy a thrilling descent into the underground maze of a catacomb and take a peek at the early centuries of Christian faith. Dating back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, catacombs are human-made subterranean tunnels and cubicles used as burial places by Rome’s first Christian communities. Located outside the city, as it was illegal to inter a dead body within the walls, the catacombs were also used for religious practices, such as commemorative services and feasts. Rome’s martyrs were given final rest in these underground sites and it is here that the worship of saints and relics originated. You will listen to stories of persecutions and discover how Christianity managed to survive and thrive in Pagan Rome. Your guide will accompany you through dimly-lit labyrinthine passageways, past funerary chambers and elucidate the meaning of the paintings, carved symbols and inscriptions that decorate the walls.

The last stop on your tour will take you beneath the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione to the Capuchin Crypt. Here you will see the skeletons and skulls of 3,700 Capuchin friars arranged in sinister decorative designs. As a reminder of the impermanence of earthly life, one sign proclaims: “What you are, we once were. What we are, you someday will be”.

After breakfast and check out meet your private driver outside your hotel in Rome and relax on the ride to Florence. En route, stop in Civita di Bagnoregio for some independent sightseeing around this delightful borgo.

Perched precariously on a pinnacle of rock that can only be reached by a narrow footbridge, Civita di Bagnoregio is just about as near as you can get to a fairy-tale village. Centuries of wind and rain have washed away the volcanic rock of the cliff on which it sits and the path that once linked it to the neighbouring town, so that Civita is now completely isolated. The views across the surrounding hills and valley are simply breathtaking.

As you step through the imposing stone gateway, you leave the modern world behind and enter another dimension. Though so much of the foundations has worn away, you can still make out the medieval layout of the town. The old stone tower rises proudly beside the Romanesque church of San Donato. You’ll see picturesque buildings, their steps leading up to old wooden doors; tiny courtyards lined with creepers and flowering plants; picture postcard balconies set out with wrought iron chairs; the elegant, Renaissance facade of a nobleman’s home with nothing but blue sky behind it; cobblestone streets leading off the square past a cluster of huddled workshops to a stone wall and then a sheer drop where the side of the hill has crumbled and rolled down into the valley.

Civita warmly welcomes visitors with a choice of charming eateries, a handful of little shops selling crafts and several enchanting places to stay. The remaining buildings have been beautifully maintained and renovated in keeping with the peaceful atmosphere of this remote, exquisite and most fragile of hamlets. Several projects, conferences and impassioned pleas have been launched to preserve this rare gem from the assaults of time, but despite these efforts, the future of Civita, known as la città che muore, the dying town, still hangs precariously in the balance.

After a leisurely stroll enjoy some free time for lunch then rejoin your driver and head for your hotel in Florence where you will be staying for 4 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Leap into the past and discover how Florentines lived in the Middle Ages on an entertaining, family-friendly tour of the city. Young visitors will travel back to the 14th century and take a peek at the customs and traditions of an ancient household.

The echoes of medieval domestic life still resonate inside the noble Gothic residence of Palazzo Davanzati. As you wander through the rooms of this extraordinarily well-preserved tower-house, imagine its inhabitants as they carried out their daily affairs: cooks preparing medieval meals using ingredients purchased at the nearby Mercato Vecchio; housemaids busy with sewing or drawing water from the internal well; aristocratic owners reposing in their chambers while frescoed figures from a contemporary soap opera act out scenes from their compelling dramas on the walls around them.

The palazzo, built by the Davizzi family around the mid-14th century, was purchased in 1578 by a wealthy merchant, Bernardo Davanzati, and remained in the family’s possession until 1838. Since 1910 it has hosted the Museum of the typical Florentine home, reconstructing the setting and atmosphere of a medieval residence. Spread over four floors are reception rooms, a dining room, a study, a bedroom, a kitchen and even a toilet – a real rarity for houses of those times! Rooms have tiled floors and wooden ceilings and display furniture and utensils from the 14th to the 19th centuries along with a precious collection of ceramics and lacework. The main chambers are decorated with frescoes depicting curtains, coats of arms, geometrical motifs, parrots and a genealogical tree of the Davanzati family. The most fascinating paintings can be found inside a bedroom named “Camera della Castellana”. The upper part of the walls feature a fresco cycle representing scenes from the Châtelaine de Vergi, a 13th century French tale of courtly love, vengeance and death which became fashionable in Florence. Two couples meet, chat and embrace among citrus trees but only one of the protagonists will survive. Who will it be?

Highlights also include the kitchen and its utensils. Pots, pans, cauldrons, crockery, a corkscrew, a dough kneader and weaving tools allow visitors to take a glimpse into the busy daily bustle of yesteryear’s cooks and domestic staff. Young time-travellers will learn all about life in Florence in the Middle Ages, discover what nobles ate, see where they slept and uncover their habits and secrets.

After browsing the palazzo, hit the streets of the old town on a quest for its most striking monuments. You will explore Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, the heart of the city’s religious and political life. Your guide will bring history to life for children and enrich their visit with intriguing stories and anecdotes about Florentine celebrities. Power-mad lords, headstrong artists and a host of other fascinating characters will make their appearance in the colourful canvas that unfolds before your eyes. You will spot the city’s symbols and the coats of arms of ancient noble families, discover how almost six hundred years ago a Renaissance genius created what is still the world’s largest masonry dome and see where Florence’s ambitious rulers once forged its destiny.

After the tour and free time for lunch cap off the day by climbing the cathedral’s 463 steps up to Brunelleschi’s majestic cupola. The ascent is fairly arduous but the perks at the finishing line make the effort well worthwhile. Along the way you’ll gain a closer look at Vasari’s frescoes of the Last Judgement depicted on the interior of the dome. Once at the top you’ll be treated to unbeatable panoramic views over the city and enjoy the priceless photo opportunities.

After the experience spend the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast meet your private driver outside your accommodation and steep yourself in local legends on this full-day Tuscan excursion. Your guide will be waiting at the meeting point in Siena ready to lead you on a tour of a beguiling medieval town and the ruins of a roofless abbey.

No doubt you will notice the symbol of Siena, the she-wolf and twins, which links the town with its Roman origins, though it was not until rather later that this centre bloomed into the glorious gem you see today. Legend has it that Remus’ sons escaped to safety here after the murder of their father by the children’s uncle Romulus, the founder of Rome. Siena is indeed immersed in legends, steeped in ancient traditions and replete with true stories of battles and bravery. The town is also richly peppered with wondrously preserved monuments, churches and architectural marvels, attesting to its extraordinarily rich and riveting past. Between the 13th and 16th centuries the town revelled in a golden age becoming one of the most powerful banking centres on the continent. A number of great artists were called upon to embellish its piazze and buildings securing its lasting fame.

Countless treasures await you inside the black-and-white striped Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta: the wonderfully inlaid marble flooring, the rose window by Duccio di Buoninsegna, the marble pulpit by Nicola Pisano, Donatello’s statue of St. John the Baptist and the gorgeous Piccolomini Library. Well-known for its illustrated hymn books and beautifully preserved Renaissance paintings by Perugian painter Pinturicchio, the library was built at the request of Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini, Archbishop of Siena, to honour the memory and manuscript collection of his uncle Pope Pius II. A radiant fresco cycle depicts a glorified version of the life of the pope as well as mythological scenes and ornate decorative motifs, all rendered with the greatest skill and painstaking attention to detail.

Your guide will certainly show you around the shell-shaped Piazza Del Campo, for centuries the pulsing heart of the town’s social and political life and known the world over as the atmospheric setting of the Palio. Your guide will elucidate the origins of this famous horse race that still takes place regularly twice a year in July and August and help you understand why the event continues to play a significant role in fostering a Siennese sense of belonging, re-evoking the rivalry that flourished among its seventeen contrade and its legacy of ward-centric culture.

The looming Torre del Mangia, the elegant red-brick buildings and the medieval aura of the city’s narrow winding lanes are among the unforgettable impressions to be savoured in this delightful wellspring of wonders.

After some free time for lunch, rejoin your driver and set off for the next stop on your tour. The isolated ruins of the Gothic Cathedral of San Galgano, surrounded by green meadows, cypress trees and sunflowers, are a delight for the eyes and soul. Built in the 13th century by a community of Cistercian monks and permanently abandoned in 1789, its facade, three naves, pillars, columns and carved capitals still stand proudly in place but its roof has fallen and the ceiling is now the glorious blue sky and the heavens above. The abbey is named after Galgano Guidotti, a 12th century dissolute knight who became a devote Christian and hermit after Archangel Michael appeared before him and convinced him to repent. According to legend, although Galgano sincerely longed to abandon his sinful life one day he declared that changing would be as hard as splitting rocks. In saying this he drew his sword and miraculously plunged it into a stone creating a cross. The mysterious sword in the stone attracts tourists and pilgrims to the nearby hermitage of Montesiepi, where it can still be admired alongside precious frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti.

Return to your hotel in Florence after a delightful day packed with memorable impressions and sagas of bygone days.

Trudging around museums and churches with the adults can be tiring for young visitors. After diligently touring all the major sites why not treat the children to some outdoor fun on this exhilarating excursion to the woods? Energetic adventure-seekers will have a blast as they climb up steps, walk along moving footbridges, jump across nets and swing through the trees.

Located between Settignano and Fiesole, in the countryside hills just outside Florence, this adventure park offers a green respite, allowing visitors to take a break from the tourist bustle and confusion of city life. Combining physical exercise, excitement and a healthy natural environment, this activity is sure to be unforgettable for all members of the family – whatever their age. Depending on height and level of fitness, participants may choose between increasingly difficult trails which are suited to everyone aged 6+. At three, seven and ten metres above the ground, five different routes unwind with progressively challenging tasks and exercises. Adults and children will put their abilities, strength and courage to the test as they try to keep their balance on swinging planks, walk along tightropes, cling to liane and cross bridges using their arm power. Between each suspended pathway are wooden platforms which allow climbers to relax, recharge their batteries and catch their breath. Strapped in harnesses, families will enjoy a safe, energizing experience.

Young visitors with a minimum height of 140 centimetres (calculated foot to wrist with arms raised) may take the easiest 3-metre-high Piton route and have fun snaking through suspended barrels, jumping on cobweb-like nets and moving along Tyrolean zip lines. More daring participants with a minimum height of 160 centimetres might like to select the 10-metre-high Cobra itinerary featuring a challenging Tarzan jump, pathways with swinging brackets and scary bridges linked by platforms placed at intervals from each other. The 7-metre-high Mamba path is the most difficult of all and is intended for the fittest, most agile and fearless of adults.

An airsoft shooting station and airsoft adventure path are also on the premises. Here players may test their precision skills by shooting targets with spherical plastic pellets launched via replica weapons.

You can count on half a day of vigorous physical exertion and fresh country air to bolster the merry holiday mood before serving another spoonful of city culture.

After some free time for lunch it’s time to delve into Florentine craft traditions on a hands-on workshop. Under the guidance of an expert artisan, adults and children will learn how to create marbled paper and bind their very own notebook.

The age-old technique of paper-making originated in China as far back as the 2nd century BC and made its way to the West through the Silk Route in the Middle Ages. The Arabs are credited with having introduced the art to Spain from where it spread first to Sicily and later to mainland Italy around the 13th century.

The beginnings of paper marbling are still somewhat of a mystery. Some believe it was first invented in Japan where the tradition of Suminagashi meaning “floating ink” began in the 1100s. Whatever the true story, paper marbling was known in Europe in the 1600s and Florentine bookbinders became particularly sought-after for their artistry. Little has changed since then and today Florence is proud to be one of the very few places where artisans still produce hand-marbled paper.

The workshop will be held at a historical paper shop located in the vibrant Oltrarno district. Repository of the city’s age-old traditions and manufacturing heritage, this neighbourhood is home to family-run botteghe where all sorts of masterly hand-crafted wonders are still produced by using techniques passed down through generations, including musical instruments, leather goods, jewellery, pottery and mosaics.

Founded in 1856 as a bookbinder, the shop you will visit began practising the art of paper marbling in the early 20th century. After six generations the owners are still highly regarded and number among the greatest masters in the field. On display you will see an array of lovingly crafted paper and leather-covered items such as albums, journals, boxes, phone cases and stationery.

Participants will enjoy an introduction to the art of marbling followed by a technical demonstration, then have fun experimenting with their own marbled paper. As you will have the chance to discover, part of the appeal of paper marbling is that each piece is unique. By floating colour on an aqueous surface and then carefully transferring the marble-like pattern on to absorbent paper, you will produce a unique work of art and feel the excitement of mastering a technique that dates back centuries. A personalised notebook bound with your own paper creations will be the cherished souvenir of a memorable afternoon as a craftsperson.

After breakfast and check out meet your private driver outside your hotel and reach the railway station for your high speed train to Venice. Upon arrival in Venice, a short transfer by water taxi will bring you to your hotel where you will be staying for 4 nights.

Following lunch and check in, which will take place after 2:00 or 3:00 PM, reach the dock, jump into a gondola and soak up the charm and magical atmosphere of Venice on an exciting ride with your private gondolier. As you glide along the shimmering waters of the city’s enchanting canals, past lacework facades, under picturesque bridges, the breathtaking views of the lagoon may seem like aspects of a dream… but this is a reverie come true.

After the gondola ride spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Unmask the dark side of the Serenissima on this exciting trail through the watery wonderland of Venice’s ancient republic. You will be led along a carefully planned route right to the heart of the city’s religious and political power and hear intriguing tales of scandal, conspiracies, breakouts and beheadings.

You begin your day with a leisurely stroll through Piazza San Marco and a guided tour of its most prized jewel: the Basilica of St. Mark. Located at the eastern end of the square, this one-thousand-year-old Gothic-Byzantine marvel was originally the powerful doges’ personal place of worship. It was not until 1807, when it became the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, that this private chapel was converted into the city’s cathedral. Step inside to hear how the construction of the building in 828 was intricately bound up with a theft and the survivors of a storm at sea. The church’s magnificently decorated interior, with its marble inlays, finely carved capitals and, above all, glimmering mosaics covering 8,000 square metres of vaults and domes is an uplifting spectacle that never fails to impress.

Next, make your way to the Doge’s Palace, the former residence of the Venetian rulers, and join a group tour led by an official guide from the museum. This special reservation grants access to quarters that are not included in regular visits, allowing our guests to wander through secret passageways and hidden chambers, gaining a privileged peek into Venice’s shadowy history. Walk past the splendid marble courtyard and enter the Pozzi through a narrow door. This was once a squalid, insalubrious detention area consisting of cramped, gloomy, poorly ventilated cells where prisoners were locked up in inhumane conditions. Located beneath sea level these dungeons were often subject to flooding during the acqua alta, the exceptional tide peaks that periodically still occur covering the city under one hundred centimetres of water. Graffiti and drawings carved on the walls by wretched prisoners provide visitors with a haunting insight into the lives of yesteryears’ detainees and a vivid picture of their anguish and despair.

Your trail will lead you through a series of administrative rooms where top-secret documents were kept safely under lock and key and judiciary officers, chancellors and the dreaded inquisitors used to carry out their daily activities. You will also see the Chamber of Torment, the interrogation room where confessions were extorted under torture, and the so-called Piombi, lead-covered cells located beneath the roof where Venetians convicted of political crimes were once imprisoned. From here Giacomo Casanova, who had been charged with blasphemy and possession of prohibited books, managed to escape in 1756 by boring a hole in the ceiling.

Your private guide will rejoin you as you emerge from this secret sally and accompany you up the gold-vaulted staircase, past the doges’ private apartments into the Hall of the Great Council. Here, you will gain a better understanding of the city’s political institutions and take a close look at the priceless works of art by local painters that embellish the walls. Inspired perhaps by the glitter of the golden mosaics in St. Mark’s Basilica and the shifting play of light on the canal waters, Venetian artists are known for their astonishing use of colour. An allegorical depiction of the Triumph of Venice by Veronese will draw your gaze to the ceiling while on the wall behind the doge’s throne you will see one of the widest canvas paintings in the world, the Paradise, created by Jacopo Tintoretto and his son Domenico between 1588 and 1592. To this duo we also owe the portraits of Venice’s first 76 doges represented on the frieze that runs beneath the ceiling. A macabre tale will explain why one of these paintings has been replaced with a black veil.

By the end of the tour an ominous shadow will have descended over the Serenissima, perhaps not so serene after all.

After some free time for lunch, head for a costume shop, offering a range of reproductions of historical clothing, suitable for both adults and children. Select your outfit and then let your imagination run free as you wander through Venice’s calli dressed up as members of a wealthy, respected noble clan on their afternoon passeggiata. Your professional photographer will make sure the unforgettable moments of a magical Venetian day are recorded for posterity.

Many of the Serenissima’s fascinating secrets will be unmasked on this truly Venetian adventure. Young guests will be introduced to one of Venice’s most ancient crafts, learn all about its most iconic means of transport and embark on a fun, hands-on voga lesson along the winding canals of this floating city.

The origins of Venetian Carnival masks are deeply buried in bygone days. We know masks were in use in the 13th century and were considered the very soul of Carnival celebrations up until the late 18th century, when they were officially banned by the ruling King of Austria. “Good morning Mrs Mask” was the Venetians’ customary greeting during the festive period, when constraints due to gender and social status suddenly disappeared behind the lavishly decorated Carnival masks. Masks allowed Venetian men and women to conceal their true identities and play out their fantasies freely by pretending to be someone else. During Carnival Venice’s rigid class system could be temporarily suspended and citizens could interact with each other outside the bonds of convention. Aristocrats and peasants could mingle and engage anonymously in mischievous behaviour and illicit (or even criminal) activities – from throwing eggs at passers-by to gambling and political assassination.

Inside a mask shop children will discover how mask artisans still craft hand-made masks by practising techniques that date back eight hundred years. Here the whole family will enjoy an introduction to the age-old art of mask-making, discover the meaning of the most famous Venetian masks and crown their experience with a fun, hands-on mask decorating workshop. Select a blank papier-mâché mask, don your aprons, grab your brushes and, under the guidance of an instructor, try your hand at painting and decorating your very own mask with acrylic paint, rhinestones, feathers, glitter, trimmings and ribbons.

After the workshop reach a boat yard and discover how gondolas are made. Shaped to glide down narrow canals and under low footbridges, the gondola is inextricably linked to Venice’s unique conformation to such an extent that it has become an internationally recognised symbol of the city itself. The mysterious origins of the gondola are steeped in the mists of time. Some claim gondolas originated in the 7th century although the first documented evidence dates back to 1094. Between the 16th and 18th centuries approximately 8,000 to 10,000 gondolas could be seen floating along Venice’s canals – compared to today’s mere 400 they must have caused some congestion!

Inside one of Venice’s very few surviving squeri – the city’s traditional boat yards and watercraft workshops – children will gain behind-the-scenes insight into the daily activities of today’s boat workers and see where Venice’s authentic, invaluable manufacturing heritage has been carefully safeguarded over the centuries.

Gondola artisans will provide an enlightening introduction to an age-old craft, point out the main characteristics of these elegant, asymmetrical, shallow-drafted boats and explain how these vessels are created. Gondolas are mostly hand-crafted using eight different types of wood and proven techniques passed down through generations and are still painted in black, in accordance with 16th century sumptuary laws. Since gondolas were used by noble citizens as a display of social status, in 1562, in order to put an end to the uncontrolled and increasingly extravagant parade of decorations, the city’s officials issued a special law banning all sorts of ostentation and rigorously outlawing any colour except black for gondolas.

After some free time for lunch children will dip further into the city’s history and traditions as they learn how to propel their raft along the waters of the lagoon. A private water taxi will transport you to the starting point of the rowing lesson in the district of Cannaregio. Here, under the guidance of an expert instructor, families will enjoy a fun voga experience aboard a batellina coda di gambero, a traditional hand-crafted “shrimp-tailed” boat. Extremely rare nowadays – only seven boats of this kind still exist today – these batelline were once a very common means of transport as attested by their appearance in works by Venetian landscape painters Carpaccio and Canaletto. Stable, spacious and deep, these boats are suitable for participants of all ages and levels of experience, from beginners to voga champions. You will learn the basic strokes for rowing at the prow and at the stern and how to manoeuvre the batellina through Venice’s winding waterways. High five to all budding apprentices!

Leave the tourist bustle of the city centre and sail off to explore two of the most popular Venetian islands on a half-day boat excursion. As repositories of the lagoon’s centuries-old traditions and manufacturing heritage, Murano and Burano play an essential role in your Venice experience. Don’t miss the chance to discover the history and customs of these magical islands and plunge into their timeless, dream-like atmosphere.

Murano is the first port of call on your lagoon excursion. Its 5,500 residents are proud guardians of the island’s long and still-thriving tradition dating back to 1291, when glass artisans were forced to move their kilns here from Venice because of fire risks. In a city of predominantly wooden buildings the profusion of glass-fusing ovens posed a constant threat. However this wasn’t the only reason that led Venice’s officials to relocate glass makers to Murano. Fear that the secrets of the trade might become known to potential rivals was just as dangerous, and possibly more so, than fires. By confining glass workers to a remote island, the republic sought to control glass production and trade and, most of all, to ensure that glass making techniques would remain a Venetian monopoly. The art of glass making helped publicise the island’s fame worldwide and it was the talented masters working here who produced the first Venetian crystal. This delicate, elegant material was highly prized and techniques of the craft were closely guarded secrets, the betrayal of which was once punishable by death. Today, however, you are free to watch glass blowers at work and see for yourself at close quarters how these Venetian craftspeople deftly pull from the furnace and model a dazzling array of splendid artefacts employing skills passed down through generations. These include wine stoppers, jewelry, vases, chandeliers and so much more.

After a pleasant walk in Murano rejoin your water chauffeur and reach Burano, a quiet fishing village of about 2,300 residents, well known for its lace making industry. The origins of Venetian lace are lost in the mists of time. Legend has it that a fisherman went out to sea a few days before his wedding and encountered a group of mermaids while fishing. So love-stricken with his betrothed was he that the mermaids’ charms and songs failed to bewitch him. Impressed with the young man’s utter devotion, the mermaids decided to reward him with a magnificent piece of cloth embroidered by the froth of the waves. On their wedding day the fisherman gave the cloth to his delighted bride who immediately set about creating another similar piece of cloth… and that’s how the famed Burano lace was born.

Here you will admire a range of lovingly handcrafted goods including doilies, tablecloths, handkerchiefs, wedding veils and babies’ booties expertly woven by lace artisans using the same techniques as their ancestors in the 1600s, which is when Burano’s popularity spread across Europe. Intricate and beautifully stitched Burano lace creations were in high demand with nobles and royalties as attested by portrait paintings of illustrious personalities wearing outlandishly fancy lace finery. It is said that King Louis XIV wore a Burano lace collar for his coronation and the inventory of the English Queen Elizabeth I’s wardrobe provides evidence of her love of Venetian lace.

The striking polychrome homes of the islanders and the shifting hues reflected in the water are another typical feature of this uncannily beautiful spot which has long attracted landscape artists. The tradition of painting houses in highly-saturated hues may well be related to the island’s history as a fishing village. The bright colours which once helped fishermen to navigate through the fog and find their way back home are today a life-size canvas beckoning the modern visitor into the frame.

After a tranquil morning on these charming islands, you’ll be ready to cruise back to the hectic flurry of Venice again. Happy sailing!

After breakfast and check out, which will take place before 10:00 or 11:00 AM, meet your water chauffeur outside your hotel and head for Piazzale Roma. Here your private driver will be waiting ready to take you to the airport or your next travel destination.