Family Case Study: A Journey through Italy

The Italian Lakes

In the lakes of the north, our family had a boutique hotel overlooking Lake Como – with a heated pool and a private Riva boat. Later, in Florence, we sourced them a stay in a restored palazzo – decked out in decadent Medici style.

To keep them entertained, we arranged for a Riva boat to ferry them across the lake, a private pasta-making class in Florence, and an undulating art tour (including an after-hours walkaround of the Uffizi gallery, shaking off the crowds).

All roads lead to Rome (and Amalfi)

In the ‘eternal city’, we selected a luxurious residence near the Spanish Steps – right in the heart of the ancient urbs (by which we mean the central Roman city). On the Amalfi Coast, we opted for a cliffside villa in Ravello – complete with stirring ocean views (and interconnecting suites, of course).

By way of activities and experiences, we arranged a gladiatorial training session in Rome for the youngsters while the parents enjoyed a leisurely design tour of the bohemian Trastevere district. We also secured an early-morning tour of the Vatican Museums, where – and this is very special – they had the Sistine Chapel entirely to themselves.

Along the Amalfi Coast, we took the entire crew to a working lemon farm, where they variously got busy with picking and limoncello-sipping, depending on their ages.

Pulling strings and planning things

Because the details make all the difference.

Private drivers and cars: we arranged a pair of Mecedes Sprinters with child seats for our family, meaning they got around without a care in the world.

Time together, time apart: there was lots of time to be together as one, but we also structured their days so that the family could break off and do their own, age-appropriate things.

Carrying on: we kept their luggage moving from hotel to hotel without the family having to lift a finger.

In real time: our on-the-ground team updated the family’s plans as they went – like swapping a day in Capri for a pizza-making workshop due to high sea winds.

This summer get-together made for one very happy family. Returning Stateside, they couldn’t wait to tell us how neatly we’d pulled the pieces together – and how many new stories they had to share. Grandpa humming Puccini, tipsy limoncello toasts, a new favourite pasta recipe (alla Gricia, for the curious), and a quiet moment in the Sistine Chapel they won’t ever forget. And we’ve not even mentioned Vesuvius, Pompeii, or those long, lingering lunches with blissful sea views. It was a lot of a lot – and they loved every minute.

Why it worked

• Taking the time to listen to what our family wanted;
• Matching them with expert local guides who were great at anticipating the family’s needs;
• Experiences that worked across the generations;
• Logistics that were so smooth they all but disappeared;
• A big serving of emotional intelligence.