Tuscan Escape

Hello and welcome to the one and only Rome! We’re all set to fall in love with this ancient Italian capital the moment we set foot in it. ‘Ciao’ your new Contiki pals and we’ll hop on our coach. Then it’s time for a Rome orientation with your Trip Manager — getting the lay of the land, the must-knows, and a few local hacks so you can hit the city running. Full of our first introductions to Italian life, we’ll join the locals for a passeggiata (promenade) to stroll off the travel day before a satisfied slumber tonight.

Sorry Rome, we’d love to linger but there are so many more experiences to soak up!But first, hop on a funicular ride to the top of the hill in the city centre, you can take in the stunning views of Orvieto and the surrounding countryside.We'll roll into Casale Polegri in the Umbrian countryside for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. You'll meet the Polegri family — locals who’ve been running their vineyard and olive grove for generations. After a proper walkaround (aka the kind of behind-the-scenes you can’t find on the internet), we'll settle in for lunch under the veranda with seriously authentic Italian flavours. Plus their own wine, because of course.The day’s still unfolding and we’ve already packed it in. We'll roll into Siena with time to explore one of Italy’s dreamiest medieval cities. Think maze-like lanes, sky-high history, and postcard corners everywhere. Make a beeline for Piazza del Campo (yep, home of the famous Palio), then spend the rest of the day roaming at your own pace. Later, we'll head back to our hotel that'll be our homebase for the next four nights.

Bathed in the golden glow of the Tuscan sun, there’s no better way to uncover this historical region than by tasting it. Today we’ll hop on our bikes and ride from Radda to a local vineyard, where we’ll sample the rich, ruby red wines perfected here over centuries, with a light snack of cured meats and cheese for the perfect vineyard vibe. This is Tuscan life, done right.Another place famous for its wine, next we head to the enchanting hilltop town of San Gimignano. Known as the Town of Fine Towers, it’s yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its medieval architecture & sweeping views of the entire Chianti valley.

Red roofs, Renaissance icons, and rustic Tuscan eats - this morning we'll dive into Florence’s history with a locally guided walking tour through this ‘walking museum’: Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio stalls, and a selfie stop with David (of course). Then you've got free time to shop, sightsee, or hunt down a Bistecca Fiorentina (and don’t forget to rub Il Porcellino’s nose before we leave for luck).

We can't be in this part of the world without a sneaky visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, can we? Depriving you of the chance to perfect the ‘holding-up-the-tower’ shot would be criminal. So, join in for a tour of the city with a Local Guide. We’ll make a quick stop in Lucca, with its charming piazzas, Renaissance architecture and historic cafes. Explore the well-preserved 16th century walls surrounding the historic centre and cobbled streets with a gelato in hand. We'll hop back onto the coach and head out on a drive to a local winery to sample wines.

Oh to wake up in the totally breathtaking Tuscany! You've got the option to take a chill morning at the hotel. Or sign up for an optional Tuscan cooking class. We know which one we'd choose.Further south you can choose to find some dinner in Montalcino, another beautiful historic town known for – you guessed it – the production of delicious red wine. Don’t go knocking this one back too easily though, thanks to its individual grape variety, Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy’s priciest wines...Back at the hotel, make the most of your very last night here in Tuscany cuz tomorrow, we're heading back to Rome.

It’s said that all roads lead to Rome and that’s where we’re headed back to today. Has it really only been a week since we last set foot in the Eternal city? Back in modern day Rome this afternoon, it’s time to say our sad goodbyes – or ‘Arrivederci’ - until we meet again on our next adventure. How does a reunion in Greece sound?