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 an included Italian feast before heading on an orientation tour of the city.

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 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 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!

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..

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

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...

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
Yup, it’s Venice, where our hearts will swell at the mazy canals and ancient architecture. First up, we’ll check into tonight’s accommodation on the peaceful island of San Servolo, with breathtaking views of the Venice lagoon. Your jaw is sure
 to drop, but don’t let it stay on the floor for too long!

Wake-up sleeping beauties! Venice is yours for the entirety of this glorious Italian day. We'll be jumping aboard our own private boat and hitting the canals 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 you’ll have the chance to join a
 progressive food walking tour, to try different bits of cicchetti and local wines.

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.

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.

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.

Naples
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?
 

Sorrento
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 you're Camera's at the ready for a quick snap of the stunning Positano as we drive by.
 

Amalfi Coast
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 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 (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience). Here we learn how these huge, sunshine coloured fruits are
 harvested and turned into limoncello. We'll also get to have a Tastes of Amalfi dinner.

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.

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