15 Days - Simply Italy Tour

DAY 1  START ROME

Rome

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 taking to the streets for an included Italian feast. After dinner we'll head on an orientation tour of the city ticking off all the sights in Rome.

Meals:  Dinner

Hotel:  Hotel Archimede (or similar)

Included Experiences:

• Tour Rome on Foot Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking off some sights on your bucket list!

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DAY 2  ROME TO FLORENCE VIA SIENA

Rome

Rise and shine, we're headed to another historical heavyweight today...

Siena

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

Florence is one of the foodie capitals of Italy, so we won't waste any time trying the local delicacies with an included feast. Then we'll turn in for the night, dreaming of the Florentine adventures that await us tomorrow.

Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel:  BB Centro (or similar)

Included Experiences:

• Get to know Siena -This medieval Tuscan city is packed with charming photo ops. From the Duomo to Piazza del Campo. 

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DAY 3  FLORENCE

Florence

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 Chianti wine from the nearby vineyards. Learn how to make risotto whilst our hosts have cooked up a feast of antipasto and Italian specialties. Save some room for ‘dolce’ i.e a mystery homemade dessert! 

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  BB Centro (or similar)

Included Experiences:

• Florence Walking Tour - See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Gioo’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria on a locally guided walking tour of Florence.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

• Tuscan Risoo Evening - Wind down with an aperitivo & take in the scenery of the Tuscan hills. Learn how to make risoo with the chef & indulge in wine from the Chianti region. In true Italian fashion, our warm hosts will load your table with a feast of antipasto, followed by a house speciality & something 'dolce' for dessert.
  Adult: 56.00 EUR

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DAY 4  FLORENCE TO CINQUE TERRE VIA LUCCA AND PISA

Florence

Farewell, Florence. We'll never forget you. But we've got more dreamy Italian hot spots to hit up.

Lucca

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.

Pisa

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.

Cinque Terre

Welcome to the Italian Riviera! You're going to fall head over heels with this region over the coming days...

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Hotel Le Grazie (or similar)

Included Experiences:

• Visit Pisa (for that Epic Selfie) - Your ultimate chance to ‘hold the tower up’ as you pose for that classic Insta snap
• Explore Lucca - Ramble around the cobbled streets of this Renaissance walled city in Tuscany. It’s an Insta post waiting to happen! 
  

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

• Lucca Wine Tasting - Visit the Faoria Al Doo winery outside Lucca and taste local wines accompanied with a delicious plaer of snacks.
  Adult: 32.00 EUR

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DAY 5  CINQUE TERRE

Cinque Terre

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.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Hotel Le Grazie (or similar)

Included Experiences:

•  Explore Cinque Terre by Train - We’ll take care of your rail pass, so you can just zip around the iconic cliop villages and focus on the Insta stories. 

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DAY 6  CINQUE TERRE TO MILAN VIA COMO

Cinque Terre

We're hitting the road today to one of the most elegant cities in Europe.

Como

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.

Milan

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... 

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  BB Sesto San Giovanni (or similar)

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

• Lake Como Cruise - Take a leisurely cruise along Lake Como situated at the foothills of the Italian Dolomites. During the cruise you will be able to visit the playground of the rich & famous & see the town of Bellagio.
  Adult: 27.00 EUR

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DAY 7  MILAN TO VENICE VIA VERONA

Milan

The dreamy destinations just don't stop coming...

Verona

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...

Venice

Welcome to Treviso! Nothing like a free evening to spend away 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.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Villa Pace Park Hotel Bolognese (or similar)

Included Experiences:

• See Juliet's Balcony - Ah! The sight of this famous balcony will turn even the most hardened cynic into a romantic soul. 
  

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

• Traditional Tastes of Treviso - Eating the Treviso way - our local expert will take you bar hopping, sampling the local cuisine & wines at a host of locations off the beaten track. Get a real insight in to local life & the flavours of Treviso.
• Gooses T-Shirts - Feeling creative? Make up a one-off design for a trip t-shirt with your group. They're perfect for keeping your travel memories fresh when you're back home.
  Adult: 23.00 EUR

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DAY 8  VENICE

Venice

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. Later, maybe opt to cruise to the UNESCO-listed island of Burano and enjoy a sumptuous seafood dinner. 

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Villa Pace Park Hotel Bolognese (or similar)

Included Experiences:

• Cruise on a Motoscafo to Venice
• Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

• Gondolas - See Venice from the canals in a gondola. From magnificent palazzi in the distance to the locals' laundry strung across the backwaters, Venice's charm gets you at every turn.
  Adult: 29.00 EUR
• Burano Island Cruise & Dinner - Cruise across the lagoon to the UNESCO fisherman's island of Burano. Snap pics of the streetscapes as we head to a local restaurant were we'll enjoy a traditional feast.
  Adult: 62.00 EUR

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DAY 9  VENICE TO ROME VIA BOLOGNA

Venice

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.

Bologna

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.

Rome

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.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Hotel Archimede (or similar)

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DAY 10  ROME

Rome

Rome wasn't built in a day - so get up and get going early to make the most of this ancient city. This is also the day to do a bit of your own exploring, an included dinner tonight will refuel us after a day of sightseeing. Take a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel. Religious or not, the Vatican's Italian Renaissance church will send shivers down your spine. 

Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel:  Hotel Archimede (or similar)

Included Experiences:

• Tour the Vatican City - See this religious state and home to the Pope, IRL. Take a guided tour around Renaissance masterpieces and see the famous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

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DAY 11  ROME TO NAPLES

Rome

Today we're headed to another richly historical and cultural city, known for its naturally beautiful sights and excellent cuisine.

Pompeii

Here in the ancient city of Pompeii you will have the option to partake in a guided walking tour of the fascinating Roman town that was destroyed by Vesuvius and then perfectly preserved in volcanic ash.

Naples

Welcome to Naples, the rough and 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.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  B&B Hotel Napoli (or similar)

Included Experiences:

• See Mount Vesuvius - Definitely one for the bucket list. Your chance to view one of Europe’s active volcanoes from a distance. 

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

• Guided Tour of Ancient Pompeii - Turn back the clock and learn about Mt. Vesuvius' eruption & the ancient city of Pompeii. Our Local Guide will tell you about this once thriving city & the sites that were buried under volcanic ash. Explore the town's well-preserved neighbourhoods as well as the ruins of shops, houses & markets.
  Adult: 33.00 EUR
  
• Naples Street Food Tour - Enjoy some of the tastiest street foods in Naples as you take in the monuments of the historic centre with a local guide.
  Adult: 55.00 EUR
  

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DAY 12  NAPLES TO AMALFI COAST VIA CAPRI

Naples

We're headed to the coast today to check out some of the most glamorous seascapes in Europe.

Capri

Next up is Capri, with its gorgeous cragged coastline and opulent cafes. Its easy to see why this is such a playground for the rich and famous. An optional Capri cruise will let us check out plenty of swim stops to beat the heat.

Amalfi Coast

We'll settle on the Amalfi Coast after a day of postcard pretty sun bleached buildings and sparkling sea.

Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel:  Grand Hotel Salerno (or similar)

Included Experiences:

• Day Trip to Capri - Chill on the beaches of this Mediterranean jewel. Explore the famous boutiques then stop off for a Spritz in the sun.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

• Capri Island Cruise - A fantastic day out on the water, with swim stops & great views of Capri's coastline. Hang out with the group & take in the glow of the groos visited.
  Adult: 34.00 EUR
  

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DAY 13  AMALFI COAST (INCLUDING POSITANO)

Amalfi Coast

We've got a free day on the Amalfi coast! Lucky us. There are plenty of optionals today to keep us entertained, including 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 we learn how these huge, sunshine coloured fruits are harvested and turned into limoncello.

Positano

We'll visit one of Amalfi's spectacular jewels today. Dramatic cliffs and idyllic buildings await us in picturesque Positano.

Amalfi Coast

You've got the entire evening for yourself. Roam the streets, taste some wine, live the Italian life we've all dreamed of.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Grand Hotel Salerno (or similar)

Included Experiences:

• Sail along the Amalfi Coast on a ferry, just like a local - Live your best life like a local (on a ferry!) as you glide through azure seas, past cliffs filled with rainbow-coloured buildings.
• Visit Dramatic Positano - Ramble through the wisteria-lined streets and past sun-bleached houses as you live La Dolce Vita. Don’t forget an iconic selfie with the village backdrop.
  

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

• Coastal Lemon Tour (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience) - A millennia of volcanic eruptions from Mt. Vesuvius has made the Amalfi coast perfect for the production of fruits & vegetables. The best of all the bounty is the humble Lemon, for which this region is famed. Visit a local family farm whose ancestors were the first to introduce this crop all those centuries ago.
  Adult: 23.00 EUR
  

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DAY 14  AMALFI COAST TO ROME

Amalfi Coast

We're headed back to Rome today. Time for the Colosseum?

Rome

Back in Rome, we better put on your centurion helmets because we're going on a guided tour around all the Roman ruins, and even the mighty Colosseum. Afterwards, you'll have the chance to head out to a local restaurant and make (and eat) your very own pasta.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Hotel Archimede (or similar)

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

• Emperors & Gladiators inc Colosseum - Wander through the ruins of the ancient Roman Empire's political heart, while our Local Guide peels back the layers of history & reconstructs the past. From the assassinations at the Forum to the bloody bales in the Colosseum, learn how the roots of Western culture started here. Subject to availability - if Colosseum tickets are not available for your trip, the alternative Ancient Rome of the Emperors tour will be offered.
  Adult: 45.00 EUR 
  
• Rome Pasta Cooking Class & Dinner - It's time to cook like a true Italian. This unique cooking experience offers you the opportunity to learn how to make traditional pastas, then relax & indulge in your own creation. Learn, laugh, drink & most importantly, eat!
  Adult: 53.00 EUR
  
• Ancient Rome of the Emperors - Discover the wonders of ancient Rome by embarking on a captivating tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Immerse yourself in history as you explore the iconic ruins and archaeological treasures that once stood at the heart of the Roman Empire. Take in the the best view of the Colosseum as your local guide brings these ancient sites to life with fascinating stories and historical insights.
  Adult: 40.00 EUR
  

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DAY 15  END ROME

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

Meals:  Breakfast