We are a family of 5 (mom, dad, 3 kids in their 20s) heading to Italy in October 2019. We have up to 3 weeks and we already have Rome (day trip to Pompeii), Florence, Venice, and Milan on our itinerary. We have gathered all our information on the main sites in the big cities and now looking for some unique tours/experiences as we start expanding our itinerary. For example, we have found one tour of the Carrara marble pits and another which is a truffle hunting experience. Our main interests are art, history, and food (but not basic pasta making classes, already done that), but are open to new types of experiences. I am hoping some of you may have some suggestions for us.
Posted by
Morrison, CO, USA
891 posts
Some of our experiences of this kind happened on the RS tours that we have taken. I enjoyed Carrera and our truffle hunt and meal with the family was exceptional. Other experiences that we enjoyed of this kind were the tour of an olive orchard and then the owner took us to the co-op Olive Oil press to demonstrate and explain the process. He included an olive oil tasting to explain the first press and so on. it was very interesting and I learned a lot. He also took us underground and explained how he cured his hams. Then we got samples to taste and he explained the differences. These were on the Village Italy tour.
One other local experience on the Southern Italy tour was the Buffalo Mozzarella Farm. It was so fascinating.
Watching how the buffalo walk up to the milking machines whenever they want. They also walk up to the massage machines whenever they want. (All of us on the tour were laughing that when we die, we want to come back as a buffalo at that Farm) Then they showed us the mozzarella making process and of course we got to taste that.
I hope you can find some more experiences that you and your family find interesting to you!
Have a Great Trip,
Mimi
Posted by
New Orleans
1206 posts
Do you all like to MAKE art, not just see it? I did a fantastic one-day mosaic making class at Koko Mosaico in Ravenna (kokomosaico.com), a couple of years ago. You all could book it as a private class for your family. Very much aimed at people who have never made mosaics before and have no understanding of tools, materials, or techniques. The instructor (who speaks English quite fluently) will take you through it all step by step. Just a marvelous day. Then spent a second day seeing the incredible mosaics of Ravenna. So that's one thought....
Posted by
North Carolina
2448 posts
While you're in Venice, you could take a mask-making class at Ca' Macana. You could also take a Venetian rowing lesson with RowVenice. [edited for spelling]
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Check out eatwith.com for dinner in the home of a local. We did the one by Barbara and Federica in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome a few years ago and it was a highlight of the trip, but there are many other choices. There were about 16 for dinner: the two of us from Seattle, 2 from Pittsburgh, 2 from Montreal, 2 from Orange County California, two sisters from Israel, our two Roman hosts and a Roman friend of theirs that they invited to help even out the male/female distribution. The food was perfectly fine, but it was the atmosphere that really made it enjoyable.
We also did one in Barcelona the same year. A blast!
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7282 posts
We have participated in city bike tours in several cities, and I see that Milan has that option.
In Venice, the rowing activity could be fun. Also, the clock tower tour (http://torreorologio.visitmuve.it) was fun and interesting to learn about the history. She stopped at each level to tell more history, so it was an easy climb.
If you don’t go to Pompeii, we enjoyed walking through Ostia Antica for half a day at Rome.
In the Florence area, I would join a small tour and head to a wine-tasting tour.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Thank you to each of you who responded to my question. Your suggestions are just what I was looking for. I will likely be back with more questions as we continue our planning. It is great to have so many experienced travelers willing to take the time to help others.
Posted by
Kansas
83 posts
Mimi,
where was the buffalo mozzarella tour- it sounds really cool!
Thanks
Laura
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7282 posts
Another avenue for some special experiences is to check what festivals or events would be happening in those cities or others nearby. I went to Italy this year and attended the Stresa Music Festival, Verona Opera in their Roman Arena, and the Arezzo Jousting Festival. These were in late Aug/Sept. (We’ve also attended the Venice Regatta & Torino MITO.). Checking for festivals caused me to shift my dates forward a week to attend them; you might have similar opportunities.