Simply Italy

Europe Italy
OVERVIEW
Welcome to 15 days of pure Italian travel immersion. Covering Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice and beyond, this one brings you the blissful best of this soul-stirring country. Explore Rome's historical highlights, travel through the streets of Michelangelo's Florence, indulge in some authentic pasta on the Amalfi Coast. Stop by to see the stooping slopes of Sorrento or the picture perfect Positano for your summery soul. And that's just an aperitivo. Beauty, romance and all the pasta you can fit in; the good life just got even better. That's amore!
EXPERIENCES
Amalfi Coast: Definitely one for the bucket list. Your chance to view one of Europe’s active volcanoes from a distance.

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.

Positano: Take an iconic selfie with the village backdrop from a hilltop viewpoint.

Ravello: Visit the hilltop town of Ravello, home to iconic cliffside gardens and spectacular views.

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.

Sorrento: Visit a third-generation family owned farm. Here you will learn how mozzarella is made & how this recipe has been passed down. Whilst there you will be treated to a homemade meal.

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 26/10/2025 £2,351 Book
02/11/2025 16/11/2025 £2,104 Book
30/11/2025 14/12/2025 £1,980 Book
14/12/2025 28/12/2025 £2,104 Book
04/01/2026 18/01/2026 £1,980 Book
18/01/2026 01/02/2026 £1,980 Book
08/02/2026 22/02/2026 £1,980 Book
01/03/2026 15/03/2026 £1,980 Book
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Hotel Archimede (or similar) - Meals: Dinner
DAY 10: Hotel Archimede (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11: Hotel Nuovo Rebecchino (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12: Grand Hotel Salerno (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 13: Grand Hotel Salerno (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14: Hotel Archimede (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
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 with an included feast. Then we'll turn 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. 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.

Today we're headed to another richly historical and cultural city, known for its naturally beautiful sights and excellent cuisine. Here 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!). 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? Here you'll have free time to explore Sorrento's cliffs, coasts and cafes, followed by an included lunch at La Sorgente for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience. 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.

We're headed back to Rome today. Back in Rome for more historic spots, foodie shops and photo ops. Today, you'll have the option to head out to a local restaurant and make (and eat) your very own pasta.

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