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Italy -
Rome, and Tuscany
Theorists, and Play

​Italy -
Rome, and Tuscany
Theorists, and Play

Italy -
Rome, and Tuscany
Theorists, and Play

Friday 21st August 2026 - Suday 30th August 2026


What's Included:
9 x nights in 4* accommodation - 2 x nights in Rome, 6 x nights in Tuscany, 1 x night in Rome
Transfers from Rome Airport (Fiumicino Airport) to hotel
Welcome Wine
9 x Dinners (One course, glass of wine/beer/soft drink)
8 x Lunches (One course)
9 x breakfasts
Return transfers to Tuscany
 Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Line Tour
Colosseum Arena, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Tour
Tuscany Countryside and Florence Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour
Tuscany Tour: Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti, and Pisa

4 x Conferences Days

Additional Costs:
Flight into Rome Fiumicino Airport
Additional drinks


9-Night Conference Itinerary:
Day 1: Friday Afternoon – Arrival in Rome
Arrive in Rome: Participants arrive at Rome's Fiumicino Airport (Transfer in​cluded).
Check-in at Eurostar Roma Aeterna, Rome:
Check-in time: 3:00 PM
If arrival is earlier than 3:00 PM, participants can leave luggage at the hotel and enjoy exploring Rome until check-in.
Welcome Reception:
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Activity: Light refreshments and informal networking, with an overview of the weekend and conference schedule.
Enjoy a welcome wine to kick off the experience.
Session – "Discussing Our Why? What Motivates Me as an Early Childhood Educator?":
A short, interactive group discussion where participants reflect on their motivation, passion, and purpose as educators. This session aims to create a sense of connection, reflection, and inspiration for the journey ahead.
Participants will share what drives them in their careers and how they can integrate their "why" into their practice to create meaningful impact.
Dinner at Hotel:
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Enjoy a delicious dinner served at the hotel, featuring tasty menu options.
Evening Free: Explore Rome at your leisure or rest after travel.

Day 2: Saturday – Exploring Rome
Morning: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Line Tour
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Skip-the-Line Tour: Experience the Vatican Museums with an expert guide and enjoy the magnificent artwork and history housed within this iconic museum.
Visit the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel and its breathtaking ceiling painted by Michelangelo.
Explore the Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, and other historic rooms and art collections.
Lunch: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at a local restaurant near the Vatican.
Afternoon: Colosseum Arena, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Tour
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
After lunch, embark on a guided tour of the Colosseum Arena, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Explore the history and architecture of the Colosseum and its role in ancient Roman life.
Visit the Roman Forum, the center of Roman public life.
Walk through Palatine Hill, where Rome’s emperors lived and where the city was believed to be founded.
Learn about the rich history of these historic sites with your expert guide.
Evening: Free time to explore more of Rome, relax, or visit art galleries and shops.
Dinner at Hotel:
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Tasty menu options.

Day 3: Sunday – Travel to Tuscany
Morning: After breakfast, depart from Rome by private coach or train to Tuscany.
Time: Depart at 9:00 AM, arrive around 12:30 PM.
Afternoon: Arrive at Resort Le Picchiaie, Portoferraio, Tuscany (set on the beautiful island of Elba).
Check-in and light refreshments.
Free Time to unwind and enjoy the scenic views of the Tuscan countryside and coast.
Optional Early Childhood Workshop (1): "Exploring Nature Play and its Impact on Early Childhood Development"
Time: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
A hands-on workshop to explore the importance of outdoor play and how nature-based activities support early childhood development.
Participants will engage in practical activities and strategies for integrating nature play into their classrooms.
Evening: Welcome Dinner at the resort. Enjoy a Tuscan feast with local specialties paired with wines from the region.
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Day 4: Monday – Conference Day 1: Pedagogy, Nature Play, and Social-Emotional Development
Morning:
Breakfast: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Opening Workshop:
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: “The Importance of Social and Emotional Skills in Early Childhood”
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: “Supporting Resilience in Early Childhood Through Social-Emotional Learning”
Lunch: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Enjoy a leisurely, locally sourced lunch on-site.
Afternoon:
Workshop – Pedagogy and Theorists: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Dive into early childhood development theories and practical applications in the classroom.
Workshop – Nature Play: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Explore the importance of outdoor play and the benefits for children’s holistic development.
Evening: Free time to explore the Tuscan surroundings.
Dinner: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM at the resort.
Optional Activity: A sunset vineyard tour or a visit to a charming Tuscan village.

Day 5: Tuesday – Conference Day 2: Mindfulness, Self-Care, and Practical Strategies
Morning:
Breakfast: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Workshop – Mindfulness & Self-Care: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Practical mindfulness strategies for educators to reduce stress and build resilience.
Workshop – Incorporating Nature Play and Mindfulness: 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Activities for integrating nature and mindfulness in the classroom.
Lunch: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
A break for a traditional Tuscan lunch.
Afternoon:
Workshop – Building a Pedagogy of Well-Being: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Discuss sustainable practices for creating an emotionally supportive environment for both children and educators.
Closing Session – Sustaining Well-Being in the Workforce: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Long-term strategies to sustain well-being in early childhood educators.
Reflection and Wrap-Up: 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Participants reflect on the conference, share key takeaways, and set professional goals.
Evening: Free evening for exploration and relaxation.
Dinner: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM at the resort.
Optional Activity: A local trattoria experience with an Italian cooking demonstration.

Day 6: Wednesday – Free Day in Tuscany (Cultural Exploration)
Morning: Enjoy a relaxed morning with a yoga session or wellness activity.
Midday and Afternoon: Free time for personal exploration or optional group excursions.
Optional Early Childhood Workshop (2): "Creating a Mindful Classroom: Practical Strategies"
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
A practical workshop offering strategies for incorporating mindfulness and self-care into everyday teaching practices.
Educators will explore tools and techniques for cultivating a mindful classroom environment for both themselves and their students.
Wine Tasting: Private wine tasting at our hotel, showcasing Tuscan wines.
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Learn about the local wine varieties and the art of wine tasting in a private, intimate setting at the resort.
Evening: Group dinner with traditional Tuscan dishes and locally-produced wines.

Day 7: Thursday – Tuscany Countryside and Florence Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour
Morning: Breakfast at the resort and depart for a Tuscany Countryside Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour.
Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Explore the vineyards of the Tuscan countryside and enjoy tastings of local wines.
Visit a vineyard near Florence, where you will not only sample wines but also enjoy a light Tuscan lunch.
Learn about wine production, the region’s history, and the connection between the landscape and the wine varieties.
Afternoon: Continue the wine-tasting tour in the scenic Tuscan countryside before heading back to the resort.
Return to Resort: 3:30 PM
Evening: Enjoy a free evening or additional exploration of the Tuscan landscape.
Dinner: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Day 8: Friday – Tuscany Tour: Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti, and Pisa
Morning:
Breakfast: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Depart for a Tuscany Tour visiting the famous medieval towns of Siena, San Gimignano, and the Chianti region.
Learn about the history and culture of each town while exploring the beautiful countryside of Tuscany.
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch: Enjoy lunch in a typical Tuscan setting, featuring local delicacies.
Afternoon: Visit Pisa, home to the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Optional Early Childhood Workshop (3): "Supporting Resilience and Social-Emotional Development in Early Childhood"
Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Explore strategies for supporting children’s social-emotional growth and fostering resilience in early childhood classrooms.
Participants will engage in hands-on activities and discussions to develop practical tools they can immediately implement.

Day 9: Saturday – Travel from Tuscany to Rome and Departure
Morning: Breakfast at the resort and departure for Rome.
Time: Depart at 9:00 AM, arrive in Rome by 1:00 PM.
Afternoon: Free time in Rome for last-minute shopping or sightseeing.
Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before heading to the airport for your flight home.

Day 10: Sunday – Departure from Rome
Departure: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for your flight home.


Italy Prices 

Travel Insurance is strongly recommended
Please ensure that you have 7 months validity on your passport from August 2026
Solo - Maximum 1 person per room

​Total Price - $6900 AUD

Deposit - $500

Remaining Due 90 Days prior to Departure - 21st May 2026
​$6400
Deposit - $500
 Twin - Maximum 2 people per room 

Total Price - $4590 x 2 - Total Price - $9180

Deposit - $500 x 2 - Total $1000

Remaining Due 90 Days Prior to Departure - 21st May 2026
$8180 ($4090 per person)

Deposit - $500 x 2 - $1000
Retreat Home

Travel Lovers xo

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  • Home
  • Live Courses
    • Support Groups xo
  • Online Courses
    • The ECE Foundations Series
    • 8 x 10-minute courses
    • 10 x 10-minute courses
    • Children's Learning Experiences
    • Being an Area Manager
    • 1200 Phonic Digital Cards
  • Assessment and Rating Preparation
    • National Quality Framework - Overview
    • Assessment and Rating Checklist
    • 5-day in service visit
    • 2-Day Assessment and Rating and Exceeding Conference
    • 2-Day Assessment and Rating Mock Review
    • Zoom/In-person Support
    • VIP Membership
    • Meeting and Exceeding the National Quality Framework - 1 day Course
  • Menus
  • VIP Membership - OOSH/OSHC
  • Our Conferences
    • Australian Conferences xo In-Person >
      • April Conference >
        • Educational Conference Brisbane - March/April
        • Educational Conference Sydney - April
        • Educational Conference Melbourne - April
      • October Conference xo >
        • The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing - Sydney
        • The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing - Melbourne
        • The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing - Brisbane
    • Early Childhood Educational Conference >
      • Early Childhood Conference Online
      • Preparing your Team for Assessment and Rating
  • Early Childhood Educator Events xo
  • Early Childhood Excellence
    • Early Childhood Educators >
      • Igniting Passionate Educators >
        • Igniting Passionate Educators!
        • ​Ignite, Inspire, Reflect, Connect: A Day of Learning for Passionate ECE Professionals
    • Leading with Impact - Courses >
      • ​Leading with Impact - 2-Day In-person Conference Melbourne
      • Leading with Impact: A Professional Development Course for Centre Managers - 2-Day Course
      • Leading with Impact: A Professional Development Course for Centre Managers - 12-week Sessions
    • Educational Leadership >
      • Nurturing Educational Leadership: Linking Program, Practice, and Quality in Early Childhood Education
  • Early Childhood Retreats xo
    • Nature and Wellbeing >
      • Gold Coast Hinterland
      • Yarra Valley, VIC xo
      • Blue Mountains ,
    • Sunshine Coast - Wine, Wellness, and Relaxation Retreat
    • Bali >
      • Bali Leadership Retreat
      • Bali Educator Fun in the Sun
      • Bali Educational Retreat
    • Tassie Treats - Growing Minds Retreat: Nurturing Educators
    • Queenstown - Igniting Passionate Educators
    • Mexico - Early Childhood Educators’ Retreat: Nurture, Lead and Ignite
    • Phuket, Thailand - Igniting Passionate Early Childhood Educators
    • Airlie Beach - Wine, Wellness, and Winter Warmer Weekend
    • Vietnam - Play, Creativity, and Children's Development Retreat
    • Thailand - Igniting Passionate Educators
    • Denver and New York City
    • Whistler, Canada
    • Italy - Rome, and Tuscany Theorists, and Play
    • Spain
    • Thailand - ​Leadership and Management
    • Fiji xo - Play, Pause, & Reflect: An Educator’s Retreat
  • Contact
  • Terms and conditions
  • Family Support
    • Supporting Your Child with Guidance, Routine, and Structure
    • Development and Learning Course for Families with Children in Early Childhood
  • Health and Wellness
    • Wellness Courses xo >
      • Wednesday Wine & Wellness xo
      • Winter Wellbeing for Early Childhood Educators
      • Mindful Moments: A 2-Hour Journey to Wellbeing
      • Holistic Nature and Wellbeing Course
      • Eradicating Loneliness xo
  • 12 Months of Early Childhood Educator Meetings
  • 12-months of Early Childhood Digital Magazine
  • New Page