The Raffa Experience

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Impruneta · Bologna · Florence · Rome — Sept 6–13, 2026

The Raffa
Experience

Italy Family Adventure — a family itinerary built around food, history, countryside experiences, and a comfortable pace. Updated edition with confirmed lodging and tours.

IAD IMPRUNETA BOLOGNA FIRENZE ROMA
8 DaysSept 6 overnight departure to Sept 13 return
2 Home BasesImpruneta (3 nights) & central Rome (3 nights)
PaceOne flexible stop built into every day
Trip at a glance

Eight days, two bases, one comfortable pace

Three nights in Impruneta, three nights in central Rome. Built to leave room for jet lag, kid energy, and spontaneous discoveries.

Sun–Mon, Sept 6–7 — IAD → Impruneta
Overnight Flight & Arrival
UA 884 overnight to FCO, train to Florence, rental car, check in 4:00 PM.
Tue, Sept 8 — Impruneta / Chianti
Palagina Countryside Day
10:00 AM Palagina wine tour, family-friendly countryside afternoon.
Wed, Sept 9 — Bologna Day Trip
Bologna Food Adventure
Markets, pasta, gelato and historic center exploration.
Thu, Sept 10 — Impruneta → Rome
Accademia & Florence
10:00 AM checkout, Galleria dell'Accademia, ~5:00 PM train to Rome.
Fri, Sept 11 — Rome
Historic Center & Ancient Rome
Trevi, Pantheon, Navona, then the guided Walks Colosseum tour.
Sat, Sept 12 — Rome / Vatican
Complete Vatican Tour
10:15 AM–1:15 PM Walks tour, then Castel Sant'Angelo and a final evening.
Sun, Sept 13 — Depart Rome
Early Departure
Early checkout, prearranged transfer to the airport.
Where we're staying

Two home bases

Base 1 — Tuscany

Impruneta

Via delle Sodera, 6
50023 Impruneta, Toscana
Check inMonday, Sept 7 at 4:00 PM
Check outThursday, Sept 10 by 10:00 AM
Rental car recommended for the countryside and Bologna day trip.
Base 2 — Rome

Via Bocca di Leone

Via Bocca di Leone 32
00187 Rome, Lazio, Italy
Check inThursday evening, after the Florence train
Check outEarly Sunday, Sept 13
An excellent walking base beside the Spanish Steps; use taxis for the Colosseum and Vatican.
01

Overnight Flight, Arrival & Impruneta

Sunday–Monday, September 6–7 Base: Impruneta

Travel overnight, arrive in Italy, and keep Monday afternoon flexible.

Sun, 5:35 PM

Depart Washington Dulles (IAD)

United Airlines flight UA 884, overnight nonstop to Rome.

Mon, 8:15 AM

Arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

Allow time for immigration, luggage, and the transfer to the rail station.

Late morning

Train from Rome/FCO toward Florence

Use the airport rail connection and a high-speed train to Florence. Continue to the Florence airport area if that is where the rental car pickup is booked.

Early afternoon

Collect the rental car

Keep timing flexible because immigration, baggage, and rail connections can vary.

Monday PM

Activities to be determined

Choose based on arrival timing and energy. Good options include a relaxed Florence lunch and walk, groceries, or going directly toward Impruneta.

4:00 PM

Check in at the Impruneta property

Via delle Sodera, 6, 50023 Impruneta.

Evening

Settle in and have a casual dinner

Unpack, enjoy the property, and keep the evening easy after the overnight flight.

Arrival-Day Priorities
  • Keep train tickets flexible enough to accommodate airport delays.
  • Do not schedule a museum or formal tour.
  • Buy water, snacks, breakfast items, and kid-friendly food before reaching the Airbnb.
02

Palagina & the Tuscan Countryside

Tuesday, September 8 Base: Impruneta

A relaxed family day centered on a kid-friendly winery and authentic countryside experiences.

8:00 AM

Breakfast at the Airbnb

Enjoy a slow start and leave enough time for the drive through the countryside.

9:15 AM

Depart for Palagina

Confirm the exact meeting point and drive time in advance.

10:00 AM

Palagina wine tour

Family-friendly winery experience centered on the vineyard, wine, olive oil, and the estate. Confirm the final duration and whether lunch is included.

After tour

Lunch at or near Palagina

Keep the meal unhurried and let the children reset before any afternoon activity.

Afternoon

Flexible countryside activity

Choose Impruneta, a short terracotta experience, Greve, Montefioralle, or simply enjoy the property depending on energy and weather.

5:30 PM

Scenic aperitivo or gelato stop

Finish in a village square or at a scenic viewpoint rather than adding another formal attraction.

6:30–7:00 PM

Return to Impruneta

Dinner near the Airbnb or cook at the villa.

Best Afternoon Choices
  • Impruneta village: Piazza Buondelmonti, the Basilica, cafés, gelato, and an easy local walk.
  • Terracotta experience: visit a local workshop or showroom to see the craft Impruneta is famous for.
  • Greve in Chianti: Piazza Matteotti, local food shops, cafés, and a relaxed village atmosphere.
  • Montefioralle: a short walk through the small medieval hill village overlooking Greve.
  • Scenic countryside drive: back roads through vineyards and olive groves, with viewpoints and small villages.
Raffa Notes
  • Keep the afternoon flexible — Palagina plus one or two countryside stops will feel more enjoyable than trying to complete every option.
03

Bologna Food Adventure

Wednesday, September 9 Base: Impruneta

Markets, handmade pasta, gelato, and the atmosphere of Bologna's historic center.

7:00 AM

Breakfast

Prepare for a longer driving day.

8:00 AM

Depart for Bologna

Allow extra time for traffic, parking, and the final walk into the center.

9:30 AM

Coffee in Bologna

Begin with espresso and pastries near the historic center.

10:00 AM

Quadrilatero market district

Browse traditional food shops and sample local specialties.

11:30 AM

Fresh pasta lunch

Try tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini, or tortelloni at a casual family-friendly restaurant.

1:00 PM

Mercato delle Erbe

Continue the food-focused exploration at a relaxed pace.

2:00 PM

Gelato stop

Choose a well-regarded gelateria before sightseeing.

2:45 PM

Historic center exploration

Piazza Maggiore, Neptune Fountain, porticoes, shops, and an optional ride toward San Luca if everyone has energy.

5:00 PM

Drive back to Impruneta

Plan a simple dinner after returning.

Driving-Day Notes
  • Reserve or research parking outside the restricted traffic zone.
  • Do not plan the Asinelli Tower climb unless current access, age requirements, and energy levels make it a good fit.
  • A food tour can replace the self-guided morning if the family prefers a more structured experience.
04

Accademia, Florence & Train to Rome

Thursday, September 10 Base: Rome (from tonight)

A focused introduction to Florence's historic center before the afternoon train.

7:30 AM

Breakfast and final packing

Load luggage and leave the property tidy.

By 10:00 AM

Check out of Via delle Sodera

Drive to Florence and return the rental car at the confirmed location.

Late morning

Store luggage

Use a reputable luggage facility near Firenze Santa Maria Novella if needed.

11:00 AM

Galleria dell'Accademia

Book timed admission to see Michelangelo's David and allow about 60–90 minutes.

12:30 PM

Lunch in central Florence

Choose a comfortable meal near the historic center.

1:45 PM

Florence walking route

Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and an optional artisan or leather-shopping stop.

4:00 PM

Collect luggage and head to Santa Maria Novella

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

~5:00 PM

High-speed train to Rome

Confirm the final train number and departure time.

Evening

Check in at Via Bocca di Leone 32

Settle in near the Spanish Steps and have a relaxed dinner nearby.

05

Historic Center & Ancient Rome

Friday, September 11 Base: Rome

Iconic central Rome in the morning, followed by the booked Walks Colosseum tour.

8:00 AM

Breakfast

Start early enough to enjoy the historic center without rushing.

9:00 AM

Trevi Fountain

Arriving earlier improves the experience and photographs.

9:45 AM

Spanish Steps & Via Bocca di Leone area

Because the lodging is beside the Spanish Steps, this can be a brief neighborhood stop before continuing through central Rome.

10:30 AM

Pantheon

Reserve timed admission if required for the selected date.

11:15 AM

Piazza Navona

Enjoy the fountains, architecture, and a short coffee break.

12:15 PM

Lunch

Choose a restaurant that allows enough time to reach the Walks meeting point.

2:15–5:15 PM

Walks Colosseum tour

Three-hour guided tour covering the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill with the confirmed tour operator. Carry photo identification and follow the operator's exact meeting instructions.

5:30 PM

Capitoline Hill overlook

Optional short stop for views over the Roman Forum.

7:00 PM

Dinner in Monti

Celebrate the day with a relaxed Roman dinner.

06

Complete Vatican Tour & Final Rome Evening

Saturday, September 12 Base: Rome

The Vatican in the morning, followed by a flexible and scenic final afternoon in Rome.

8:00 AM

Breakfast

Allow a comfortable morning before the Vatican tour.

9:30–9:45 AM

Arrive at the Walks meeting point

Follow the operator's exact check-in instructions.

10:15 AM–1:15 PM

Walks Complete Vatican Tour

Vatican Museums, major galleries, Sistine Chapel, and the tour's scheduled Vatican highlights. Basilica access can depend on Vatican operations that day.

1:30 PM

Lunch near the Vatican

Choose pizza by the slice or a casual sit-down meal based on everyone's energy.

3:00 PM

Castel Sant'Angelo

A strong family-friendly afternoon option with ramps, courtyards, historic rooms, and city views.

4:45 PM

Ponte Sant'Angelo

Cross the bridge toward the historic center.

5:30 PM

Flexible final-evening walk

Piazza Navona, Campo de' Fiori, Jewish Ghetto, or Trastevere depending on where the family wants to finish.

7:30 PM

Final dinner in Rome

Reserve in advance for a comfortable final night.

07

Early Departure from Rome

Sunday, September 13 Base: Rome

A simple, organized departure with no morning sightseeing.

Early morning

Check out of the Rome lodging

Complete final packing the night before. Keep passports, travel documents, medications, chargers, and children's essentials in one carry-on.

Prearranged

Private transfer or taxi

For an early flight, arrange the vehicle in advance and confirm that child seats and luggage capacity meet the family's needs.

Departure

Airport or onward travel

Allow the airline's recommended check-in time plus a traffic buffer. Confirm the exact pickup time after flight details are finalized.

Night-Before Checklist
  • Confirm the pickup address on Via Bocca di Leone and the driver's contact information.
  • Pack breakfast snacks and water for the children.
  • Check the lodging carefully for chargers, passports, favorite toys, and refrigerated items.
  • Ask the host about the early checkout and key-return procedure before Saturday.
Reservations & planning checklist

Where everything stands

A running list of what's locked in, what still needs booking, and where a decision is still needed.

Built-in flexibility

The itinerary intentionally leaves room for weather, the children's energy levels, travel delays, and spontaneous discoveries. Monday afternoon remains intentionally open after the overnight flight and rail transfer. Tuesday is anchored by the 10:00 AM Palagina tour. Thursday is centered on the Accademia and the approximately 5:00 PM train to Rome. Friday and Saturday use the central Rome lodging as the walking base, with taxis available to preserve energy before major tours.

The Raffa rules of the road

Five things to remember mid-trip

One excellent experience is better than three rushed ones.

Gelato is a legitimate scheduling tool.

Use taxis before everyone is exhausted, not after.

Keep one optional stop every day that can be dropped without regret.

The best family memories may happen between the landmarks.