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:

$ 2745pp ^*

From: 2023-10-15

To: 2024-03-03

Start Location: Rome, Italy

End Location: Rome, Italy

Trip Type: In Depth Explorer

Tour Advisors

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Chris McKinnel

Travel Specialist

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Itinerary

Start Rome

Day 1

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hotel Genova (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, before heading on an orientation tour of the city. With our eyes wide and camera roll full, we'll head to the streets for an included Italian feast.

Rome to Florence

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 evening of wine from the nearby vineyards. 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

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. 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. Another stopover will let us check out lovely Lucca, with its charming piazzas, Renaissance architecture and historic cafes. Opt for a sample of wines at the local vineyards here. Or it's a perfect spot to grab a bite before we hit the road again. 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. The food here is pretty special too, why don’t you try a Pesto Making Class in La Spezia where you can make your own pesto from local ingredients and enjoy it later at dinner in a variety of local dishes.

Cinque Terre to Milan

Day 6

Duration: 1

Accommodation: BB Hotel Sesto Milano (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 and take a cruise to beautiful Bellagio. 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

Day 7

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Centro Soggiorno San Servolo (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, as well as the epic Roman Arena. Then it's onto another very romantic city... Yup, it’s Venice, where our hearts will swell at the mazy canals and ancient architecture. First up, we’ll check into tonight’s snazzy accommodation – a Contiki Special Stay on the peaceful island of San Servolo, with breathtaking views of the Venice lagoon. Your jaw is sure to drop, but don’t let it stay on the floor for too long!

Venice

Day 8

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Centro Soggiorno San Servolo (or similar)

Wake-up sleeping beauties! Venice is yours for the entirety of this glorious Italian day. We'll be jumping aboard our own private boat and hitting the canals 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. Later you’ll have the chance to join a progressive food walking tour, to try different bits of cicchetti and local wines.

Venice to Rome via Bologna

Day 9

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hotel Genova (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. With our eyes wide and camera roll full, we'll have a free night for dinner and a chance to discover the finest food Rome has to offer. Washed down with some fine Italian wine? If you say so.

End Rome

Day 10

Duration: 1

Rome wasn't built in a day - so get up and get going early to make the most of this ancient city. When in Rome... take a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Religious or not, the Vatican's Italian Renaissance church will send shivers down your spine. Then our trip comes to an end in the afternoon. Swap contact details and start planning your next adventure!

Dates & prices

Start Date: 2023-10-15

End Date: 2023-10-24

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3768

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3768

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3581

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3581

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 4964

Start Date: 2023-10-22

End Date: 2023-10-31

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3410

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3410

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3240

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3240

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 4492

Start Date: 2023-11-05

End Date: 2023-11-14

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2979

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2979

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2831

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2831

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3947

Start Date: 2023-11-19

End Date: 2023-11-28

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3155

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3155

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2997

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2997

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 4180

Start Date: 2023-12-10

End Date: 2023-12-19

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2979

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2979

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2831

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2831

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3947

Start Date: 2023-12-17

End Date: 2023-12-26

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: 4095

Start Date: 2024-01-07

End Date: 2024-01-16

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2889

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2889

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2745

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2745

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3857

Start Date: 2024-02-11

End Date: 2024-02-20

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2889

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2889

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2745

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2745

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3857

Start Date: 2024-03-03

End Date: 2024-03-12

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2889

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2889

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2745

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2745

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3857

Italian Espresso

Tour Advisors

Itinerary

Dates & prices