Twielve year-old boy/girl twins Beppina and her brother Beppo lament that they remain under the care of Nanny Teresina. While on an Easter outing with their Nanny, they wander away in the streets of Florence. They find themselves lost and then "found" by gypsies. Their adventure begins as they are thinking they are going to be returned home, but quickly they see the truth: they are taken away from Florence. 

The children travel with the gypsies, learn to dance and sing, and travel through mountains to the coastal town of Venice. They were made to walk most of the way. They were made to 'earn' their meager meals by performing with the gypsies' monkey and hand organ, and a dancing bear. Their captor gypsy took their 'fancy' clothes and replaced them with 'suitable' attire that made them 'fit-in'.

Throughout the journey, Beppo remains the strong brother that his sister, Beppina needs. After more than 3 weeks in Venice, Beppo devised a plan, while Beppina remains prayerful. Beppo uses his knowledge of geography. They escape the gypsies and travel back toward home. Finally, they meet up with Teresina who nearly did not recognize them. Beppina and Beppo are reunited with their Mother, the Marchesa, who is so happy to have her two children back home.