Grandtravel Offers ‘Bonding’ Trip to Italy

Grandtravel brings grandparents and grandchildren together to explore Venice, Florence, Siena and Rome, showcasing the best Italy has to offer — from cafés that circle elegant piazzas, massive architecture, ancient ruins, medieval towns, and magnificent seaside, to fine cuisine, world-class art and designer fashion. Discover Ancient Rome, stroll the gardens of Tivoli, take a hands-on cooking class, ride the rails through the heart of Tuscany en route to a 16th-century working farm, visit a Venetian mask workshop and a glass-blowing studio – in essence, begin a classical education that will enrich the childrens’ appreciation for the flair and style of Italian culture, all at a leisurely pace with three nights’ stay at each property. The 12-day “Italy’s Splendor” has two summer departures, both guaranteed, July 5-16 and August 2-13.

Participants enjoy an adventure filled with activities that accentuate the special bond between the two generations, each learning from the other, as they create Venetian masks; visit a wine cellar to learn how wine is made; cook with a Tuscan chef; float along the elegant canals of Venice in a gondola; tour the architectural wonders of St. Mark’s Square, the Doges’ Palace, the Roman Forum, Colosseum and majestic Pantheon, and the Sistine Chapel; and view Michelangelo’s David, Tintoretto’s Paradise, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Springtime and Bernini’s masterpiece, the Fountain of Four Rivers. Other highlights include a pony trek across the Tuscan countryside and following costumed actors through the hidden passageways and mysterious staircases of the 16th-century Palazzo Vecchio.

Meal settings reflect the country’s variety: a traditional trattoria, Tuscan-style barbecue, lunch in a Sienese restaurant, gourmet picnic amidst the idyllic scenery of the Tuscan countryside and dinner at a lively Tivoli restaurant. There is plenty of free time to explore the cities and towns as well: shop along Rome’s Via del Corso and Via Veneto, relax at cafés or indulge in an afternoon treat of gelato while taking a passegiatta, the Italian ritual of an evening stroll.

For more information, call (800) 247-7651, or visit www.grandtrvl.com.