Tour Description

10 days of la dolce vita, pronto. This one is pure Italian travel, covering all the big bucket-list destinations of Venice, Florence & Rome, plus the smaller charms of Pisa, Verona, and Siena. We'll ooh and aah over antipasto & chianti, dine on regional specialties in local trattorias, boat through the canals and islands of Venice, and explore the architecturally magnificent city of Florence. Expect comfy hotels and plenty of world-famous espresso & pizza on the way.

Priced From:

$ 2884pp ^*

From: 2025-10-12

To: 2026-03-01

Start Location: Rome, Italy

End Location: Rome, Italy

Trip Type: In Depth Explorer

Tour Advisors

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Caitlin Lennon

Travel Coordinator

Michelle Baldwin

Travel Specialist

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Itinerary

Start Rome

Day 1

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hotel Archimede (or similar)

Welcome to Rome! Once known as the 'capital of the world' this richly historic, passionate and elegant city will steal our hearts as soon as we arrive. We'll meet and greet our Contiki crew at 4pm, then with our eyes wide and camera roll full, we'll head to the streets for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Italian feast at La Trattoria de Gli Amici, before heading on an orientation tour of the city.

Rome to Florence via Siena

Day 2

Duration: 1

Accommodation: BB Centro (or similar)

Rise and shine, we're headed to another historical heavyweight today... But not before stopping off at Siena for lunch. This place has medieval masterpieces and the historic city centre has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. We'll soak up all of that historic beauty and grab a bite before heading onto Florence... Florence is one of the foodie capitals of Italy, so we won't waste any time trying the local delicacies before turning in for the night, dreaming of the Florentine adventures that await us tomorrow.

Florence

Day 3

Duration: 1

Accommodation: BB Centro (or similar)

Florence is often referred to as a 'walking museum', and today we'll find out why. With a locally guided walking tour, we'll discover Renaissance Florence on foot, swooning at Giotto's Bell Tower, Basilica Santa Croce, and Piazza della Signoria. We'll also see the Duomo, one of the world's most remarkable architectural feats. Later, we’ll get together for a Tuscan Risotto Evening indulging in wine from the nearby vineyards. Watch a risotto demonstration whilst our hosts have cooked up a feast of antipasto and Italian specialties. Save some room for ‘dolce’ i.e a mystery homemade dessert!

Florence to Cinque Terre via Pisa and Lucca

Day 4

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hotel Le Grazie (or similar)

Farewell, Florence. We'll never forget you. But we've got more dreamy Italian hot spots to hit up. Another stopover will let us check out lovely Lucca, with its charming piazzas, Renaissance architecture and historic cafes. Opt for wines at the local vineyards outside of Lucca. Or it's a perfect spot to grab a bite before we hit the road again. We can't be this way of the world without a sneaky visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Depriving you of the chance to perfect the holding-up-the-tower shot would be criminal. Welcome to the Italian Riviera! You're going to fall head over heels with this region over the coming days...

Cinque Terre

Day 5

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hotel Le Grazie (or similar)

Some people think Cinque Terre is just one place, but it actually translates to the ‘five lands’ and is made up of 5 stunning towns with their own unique identity and traditions. Included in your trip is an unlimited Cinque Terre hike and train ticket, and whichever way you choose to get around will be sure to make you fall in love with the dramatic cliff-faces and pastel coloured buildings.

Cinque Terre to Milan via Como

Day 6

Duration: 1

Accommodation: B&B Hotel Milano Sesto Marelli (or similar)

We're hitting the road today to one of the most elegant cities in Europe. But not before experiencing the glitz and glamour of Lake Como, with its attractive villages and gorgeous gardens. The showstopper is the lake itself, of course, and we'll have the option to get out on the water for a cruise. Welcome to Milan, the sophisticated cityscape that rewards the curious traveller. We have a free night to check out the local nightlife, and eat some of the local delicacies. As always, your Trip Manager will have the top tips on where to go and where to avoid...

Milan to Venice via Verona

Day 7

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Villa Pace Park Hotel Bolognese (or similar)

The dreamy destinations just don't stop coming... Welcome to Verona, the heart of Renaissance romance (and the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet). Beautiful architecture, rich history and plenty of jaw-dropping art makes this place a very worthy stopover. We'll check out Juliet's balcony, part of a gorgeous 13th century house then it's onto another very romantic city... Welcome to Treviso! Nothing like a free evening to spend the Italian way...Tonight you'll have the option to walk around this idyllic version of Venice (before taking on the real thing tomorrow!). Grab some local food on the way. And maybe even treat yourself to some tiramisu (because this little town is where it was born!). Seriously, it doesn't get more authentic than this.

Venice

Day 8

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Villa Pace Park Hotel Bolognese (or similar)

Wake-up sleeping beauties! Hop onto our coach because we've got this entire day to explore Venice. We'll be jumping aboard our own private boat and crossing the canal en route to the historical heart of the city. A gondola ride will be up for grabs, or you can always choose to get lost on your own and see where the maze takes you.

Venice to Rome via Bologna

Day 9

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hotel Archimede (or similar)

See ya, Venice. You'll always have a piece of our hearts. Today we're headed back to Rome to explore the city in more depth. But not before making a quick stop in Bologna. Home of prosciutto, mortadella, bolognese sauce and many more tasty Italian delights, Bologna is known far and wide as La Grassa (the Fat One). Come hungry, but make sure you’re not too full to explore the Unesco-listed porticoes either. We'll have a free night for dinner and a chance to dine on a wholesome meal at a 17th-century tavern in Trastevere. All washed down with some fine Italian wine? If you say so.

End Rome

Day 10

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hotel Archimede (or similar)

Rome wasn't built in a day - so get up and get going early to make the most of this ancient city. Take a tour of the famous Colosseum and walk in the footsteps of Emperors and Gladiators with a guide, or snap epic selfies against a background of pink azaleas by the entrance. And with that, our trip has come to an end this afternoon. Swap contact details and start planning your next adventure!

Dates & prices

Start Date: 2025-10-12

End Date: 2025-10-21

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3805

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3805

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3615

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3615

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5016

Start Date: 2025-11-02

End Date: 2025-11-11

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3323

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3323

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3157

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3157

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 4406

Start Date: 2025-11-30

End Date: 2025-12-09

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3127

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3127

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2971

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2971

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 4147

Start Date: 2025-12-14

End Date: 2025-12-23

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3323

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3323

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3157

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3157

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 4406

Start Date: 2026-01-04

End Date: 2026-01-13

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3284

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3284

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3120

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3120

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 4304

Start Date: 2026-01-18

End Date: 2026-01-27

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3036

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3036

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2884

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2884

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 4056

Start Date: 2026-02-08

End Date: 2026-02-17

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3036

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3036

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2884

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2884

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 4056

Start Date: 2026-03-01

End Date: 2026-03-10

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3036

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3036

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2884

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2884

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 4056

Italian Espresso | Winter | 25/26

Tour Advisors

Itinerary

Dates & prices