Simply Italy

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.

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 (the historic city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site too!). So, soak up all that historic beauty & grab a bite before we head onto Florence. This beautiful city is a certified foodie capital, so we’re diving straight into an included feast of local delicacies. Then it’s lights out, with dreams of tomorrow’s Florentine adventures dancing in our heads.

Florence is basically a giant open-air museum, and today we’re hitting it on foot. With a Local Guide, we’ll check out Giotto’s Bell Tower, Basilica Santa Croce, Piazza della Signoria, and the epic Duomo. Tonight, it’s all about an optional Tuscan evening with a risotto demo, local wine, antipasto, and some ‘dolce’ to finish.

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...

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 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.

This morning, we're hitting the road today to one of the most elegant cities in Europe. Before that, a quick stop to experience the glitz and glamour of Lake Como. The showstopper is the lake itself, of course, and you'll also have the option to get out on the water for a cruise. Welcome to Milan – all style, all sass. Tonight’s free for you to chase down the best eats, sip on local flavours, and see where the night takes you. Your Trip Manager’s got the inside scoop on the must-dos (and the must-avoids).

The dreamy destinations just don't stop coming... Welcome to Verona – Renaissance romance central and the real-life stage for Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. We’ll swing by Juliet’s famous balcony (yep, the actual one!), then it’s off to our next dose of Italian romance. Ciao Treviso. This low-key charmer is basically Venice’s relaxed cousin. Tonight’s free for you to wander cobbled streets, feast on local bites, and maybe hunt down the OG tiramisu (yep, it was born here). Tomorrow, we take on the real Venice.

Wake-up sleeping beauties! Hop onto our coach because we've got the 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 if you wanna escape the crowds, there's also an optional Burano Island Cruise (with a delish meal!) that you'll love. Or you can always choose to get lost on your own and see where the maze takes you.

See ya, Venice. You'll always have a piece of our hearts. Today we're headed back to Rome with a delicious lil’ stop on the way. 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. It’s 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.

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. This is also the day to do a bit of your own exploring. Tonight, we’ll regroup for an included dinner.

Today we're headed to another richly historical and cultural city, known for its naturally beautiful sights and excellent cuisine. Welcome to Naples, the rough & ready but oh so charming city which encapsulates everything we love about Italy. The home of pizza, a hub of culture, and a bundle of passionate Italian energy. Today we have the option to take a tour, learning about the city, its history and its food culture.

We're headed to the coast today to check out some of the most glamorous seascapes in Europe. If you're here in the breezy winter months, we'll make a stop at Sorrento - the birthplace of Limoncello. Steep slopes that overlook azure waters and the whiff of Italian wonder - what's not to love? In the ancient city of Pompeii, you'll have the option to partake in a guided walking tour of the fascinating ancient Roman town that was destroyed by Vesuvius (and then perfectly preserved in volcanic ash!). Here you'll have an included lunch at La Sorgente for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience, followed by free time to explore Sorrento's cliffs, coasts and cafes. On route to our next stop, have your cameras at the ready for a quick snap of the stunning Positano as we drive by.  Our last stop-off for today is Salerno, where you'll have a free night to explore the Roman ruins, museums, gardens and sea views.

We've got a free day on the Amalfi coast! Lucky us. There are a couple of optionals today to keep us entertained like a visit to a lemon farm, run by a local family whose ancestors introduced the crop (and have been care takers of an age old tradition ever since). Here you'll learn how these huge, sunshine coloured fruits are harvested and turned into limoncello. Plus, tonight you can choose try out a delicious Amalfi Dinner.

Rome, we’re coming back for you! Back in Rome for round three – more history, more foodie finds, and more photo ops. Tonight, you can join a local chef to whip up your own pasta masterpiece… and then eat every last bite.

Hold our gelato. Our hearts are melting as we bid a final ‘Ciao’ to our Contiki crew after a trip we’ll never forget.