A Family Celebration in Italy
We recently began working with my sister in law Brooke and her new company, Garrett Travel Co. to help us help you enjoy travel to Italy. We have been taking groups to Italy the last few years, but needed help with organization and logistics and she had long time travel industry experience. We still have a few spots open for travel to Italy in 2026 and a list has started for our two trips in 2027.
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Sardinia - April 16th - 23rd ‘26
Tuscany - April 28th - May 3rd ‘26
Sardinia - April 16th - 23rd ‘26
Tuscany - April 28th - May 3rd ‘26
Sicily - May 4th - 10th '26
Sicily - November 2nd - 8th ‘26
Sicily - April 2027
Sicily - November 2nd - 8th ‘26
Sicily - April 2027
Emila Romagna - Umbria “Foodie Tour w/ truffle festival” - November 2027
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For more information follow the LINK and fill out the form on our travel page.
Brook can also help you and your family organize a custom trip like the one below she put together to celebrate her parents 50th Anniversary - I appreciate the synopsis she sent me . When she returned home she was positively glowing and energized to help others enjoy a similar experience to hers. Bookings for these family trips are limited and many times need to be made more than a year in advance. She looks forward to talking to you about this trip of a lifetime and helping you create your own magical memories. (maybe sounds a little sappy, but even in the heat of Summer they had an amazing trip - La Dolce Vita is real).
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Take it away Brooke:
Earlier this summer, my family and I traveled to Italy to celebrate my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. We were 10 in total — 6 adults and 4 boys (ages 11–16) — ready for an unforgettable adventure.
Florence
We started our journey in Florence where we stayed in a boutique hotel, housed in a medieval tower from the 13th century, and located just steps away from the Ponte Santa Trinita. The property’s location in the city center allowed our family to walk all over Florence with ease while also enjoying beautiful nights on the rooftop patio overlooking the Duomo. Working with an on-site destination management company provided us with guides and private experiences tailored just for our group. We hit all of the highlights including the Galleria dell’Accademia, the Uffizi Gallery, Piazza del Duomo and a walk across the Ponte Vecchio to spend time in the Oltrarno Quarter. Our guide knew just when it was time to shift from art and history to a gelato stop!
One of our favorite highlights was a private pasta-making class with a Tuscan chef. Everyone had a role in the kitchen as we created tagliatelle, ravioli, and tiramisu. After working together in the kitchen, we enjoyed the meal as family - paired with delicious local wine.
Earlier this summer, my family and I traveled to Italy to celebrate my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. We were 10 in total — 6 adults and 4 boys (ages 11–16) — ready for an unforgettable adventure.
Florence
We started our journey in Florence where we stayed in a boutique hotel, housed in a medieval tower from the 13th century, and located just steps away from the Ponte Santa Trinita. The property’s location in the city center allowed our family to walk all over Florence with ease while also enjoying beautiful nights on the rooftop patio overlooking the Duomo. Working with an on-site destination management company provided us with guides and private experiences tailored just for our group. We hit all of the highlights including the Galleria dell’Accademia, the Uffizi Gallery, Piazza del Duomo and a walk across the Ponte Vecchio to spend time in the Oltrarno Quarter. Our guide knew just when it was time to shift from art and history to a gelato stop!
One of our favorite highlights was a private pasta-making class with a Tuscan chef. Everyone had a role in the kitchen as we created tagliatelle, ravioli, and tiramisu. After working together in the kitchen, we enjoyed the meal as family - paired with delicious local wine.
On our final day in Florence, we were picked up by two vans to take our group to Tuscany for a private bike tour. We began in Poppiano and cycled through Chianti Colli Fiorentini for a 12.5 mile ride. We rode past vineyards, castles, villas and olive groves. The tour concluded at a Tuscan Villa where lunch was provided by the family who lives there. There was no menu as they serve whatever they produce on their property. As a traditional tuscan menu, we were treated to multiple courses including fresh pasta, bruschetta, olive oil and more, along with wine to pair with it. A wonderful conclusion to the bike tour!
Rome
Our next stop was Rome where we met our Tauck Bridges tour group. Specializing in multi-generational travel, the itineraries are built with activities and pacing for every participant to enjoy together. We stayed at a beautiful property hidden in the heart of the city. It was a true oasis with a pool, spa and the most elegant furnishings. The boys were thrilled to have a pool to cool off in at the end of each day.
While in Rome, we toured the Coliseum and the Roman Forum. We attended a gladiator school where we learned what it took to become a gladiator, our kids had gladiator training sessions and one on one combat sessions. We toured the Roman catacombs where we walked through underground tunnels and chambers from the 2nd - 5th century. We spent a day at the Vatican, touring the Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon and St. Peter’s Basilica.
One of the highlights in Rome was an after hours private visit to the Borghese Gallery. The museum was opened just for our group which provided an opportunity for us all to get up close to the works of art including many of Bernini’s most famous sculptures.
Having a private guide with us at all of these sites elevated the experience. Not only did we skip every line, but we learned so many interesting historical facts before, during and after our visits.
Our next stop was Rome where we met our Tauck Bridges tour group. Specializing in multi-generational travel, the itineraries are built with activities and pacing for every participant to enjoy together. We stayed at a beautiful property hidden in the heart of the city. It was a true oasis with a pool, spa and the most elegant furnishings. The boys were thrilled to have a pool to cool off in at the end of each day.
While in Rome, we toured the Coliseum and the Roman Forum. We attended a gladiator school where we learned what it took to become a gladiator, our kids had gladiator training sessions and one on one combat sessions. We toured the Roman catacombs where we walked through underground tunnels and chambers from the 2nd - 5th century. We spent a day at the Vatican, touring the Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon and St. Peter’s Basilica.
One of the highlights in Rome was an after hours private visit to the Borghese Gallery. The museum was opened just for our group which provided an opportunity for us all to get up close to the works of art including many of Bernini’s most famous sculptures.
Having a private guide with us at all of these sites elevated the experience. Not only did we skip every line, but we learned so many interesting historical facts before, during and after our visits.
Sorrento & Beyond
After 4 nights in Rome, it was time to travel south. We took the train to Naples but we didn’t have to worry about our luggage as it went separately on a truck directly to our hotel. At the Naples train station, a motor coach picked us up to go to Pompeii. We stepped back in time learning about the architecture and the way of life during that time in history. After touring Pompeii, we checked into a beautiful property in Sorrento that overlooked the Bay of Naples with five pools and a breezy, modern vibe.
Sorrento was full of fun and surprises. We dined at an Agriturismo, where we learned about the history of the family’s property and what they produce - mozzarella, olive oil and more. We had a pizza making class followed by time in the kitchen for each of us to make our own pizzas. After dinner we enjoyed traditional Neapolitan music and dancing.
We spent a day in Capri. Upon stepping off the ferry, a fleet of open air taxis was waiting to take us up to Anacapri. Each family had their own taxi for the day. We took the chair lift to the top of Anacapri for the most breathtaking views of the island and its surroundings. We shopped with the local artisans, where my mom and I had custom sandals made before going to Capri Town, the heart of the island, for lunch, gelato and more shopping. We returned to the ferry with linen, loafers, sandals and more!
We capped the trip with a private boat tour along the Amalfi Coast, stopping in Positano and Amalfi for sightseeing, dining and shopping. An amazing way to end the trip, with stunning views of the iconic coastline.
On our final evening, my brother and I planned a special dinner to celebrate my parent’s anniversary at a waterfront, rooftop restaurant. The sunset was unlike anything I have ever seen - it was magical and added to the ambience of the occasion. The menu and service at this restaurant made the evening so special - they even brought my parents their dessert in a music box playing the romantic song “Come back to Sorrento”. It was surreal!
We came home with memories to last a lifetime - proof that a thoughtfully planned trip can bring every generation together in the most unforgettable way.
As our tour director said to us at the conclusion, “Non è un addio, è un arrivederci” ("It's not a goodbye but a see you later”) - we cannot wait to return!
After 4 nights in Rome, it was time to travel south. We took the train to Naples but we didn’t have to worry about our luggage as it went separately on a truck directly to our hotel. At the Naples train station, a motor coach picked us up to go to Pompeii. We stepped back in time learning about the architecture and the way of life during that time in history. After touring Pompeii, we checked into a beautiful property in Sorrento that overlooked the Bay of Naples with five pools and a breezy, modern vibe.
Sorrento was full of fun and surprises. We dined at an Agriturismo, where we learned about the history of the family’s property and what they produce - mozzarella, olive oil and more. We had a pizza making class followed by time in the kitchen for each of us to make our own pizzas. After dinner we enjoyed traditional Neapolitan music and dancing.
We spent a day in Capri. Upon stepping off the ferry, a fleet of open air taxis was waiting to take us up to Anacapri. Each family had their own taxi for the day. We took the chair lift to the top of Anacapri for the most breathtaking views of the island and its surroundings. We shopped with the local artisans, where my mom and I had custom sandals made before going to Capri Town, the heart of the island, for lunch, gelato and more shopping. We returned to the ferry with linen, loafers, sandals and more!
We capped the trip with a private boat tour along the Amalfi Coast, stopping in Positano and Amalfi for sightseeing, dining and shopping. An amazing way to end the trip, with stunning views of the iconic coastline.
On our final evening, my brother and I planned a special dinner to celebrate my parent’s anniversary at a waterfront, rooftop restaurant. The sunset was unlike anything I have ever seen - it was magical and added to the ambience of the occasion. The menu and service at this restaurant made the evening so special - they even brought my parents their dessert in a music box playing the romantic song “Come back to Sorrento”. It was surreal!
We came home with memories to last a lifetime - proof that a thoughtfully planned trip can bring every generation together in the most unforgettable way.
As our tour director said to us at the conclusion, “Non è un addio, è un arrivederci” ("It's not a goodbye but a see you later”) - we cannot wait to return!
