Italian Espresso

Europe Italy
OVERVIEW
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.
EXPERIENCES
Cinque Terre National Park: We’ll take care of your rail pass, so you can just zip around the iconic clifftop villages and focus on the Insta stories. Wanna hike around too? You're welcome to explore on foot along the way.

Florence: See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria on a locally guided walking tour of Florence.

Lucca: Ramble around the cobbled streets of this Renaissance walled city in Tuscany. It’s an Insta post waiting to happen!

Pisa: Your ultimate chance to ‘hold the tower up’ as you pose for that classic Insta snap.

Rome:  Kick back with your Contiki crew and feast on some yummy Italian cuisine - served at a local restaurant working to train and provide jobs for members of the community with disabilities.

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

Rome: 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 battles in the Colosseum, learn how the roots of Western culture started here.

Siena: This medieval Tuscan city is packed with charming photo ops. From the Duomo to Piazza del Campo.

Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice.

Verona: Ah! The sight of this famous balcony will turn even the most hardened cynic into a romantic soul.
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
Returns		 Starting From
(price per person)		 Definite Departure
What's this?		 Book Now!
12/10/2025 21/10/2025 £1,937 Book
02/11/2025 11/11/2025 £1,526 Book
30/11/2025 09/12/2025 £1,436 Book
14/12/2025 23/12/2025 £1,436 Book
04/01/2026 13/01/2026 £1,508 Book
18/01/2026 27/01/2026 £1,396 Book
08/02/2026 17/02/2026 £1,396 Book
01/03/2026 10/03/2026 £1,396 Book
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Hotel Archimede (or similar) - Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: BB Centro (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3: BB Centro (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: Hotel Le Grazie (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Hotel Le Grazie (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: B&B Hotel Milano Sesto Marelli (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: Villa Pace Park Hotel Bolognese (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: Villa Pace Park Hotel Bolognese (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9: Hotel Archimede (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
ITINERARY

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 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 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!

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 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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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!
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