Simply Italy - A Contiki Trip

DAY 1 - ARRIVE ROME

Rome

Italy - you have our attention! These are the 12-days we've been dreaming of since the day we booked. Our group of globe-roamers will meet up at 4pm at our Rome digs before hitting the streets for our first dinner and a taste of the city. La perfezione!

Stay

Polo Hotel (or similar)

NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS

Special access Rome sightseeing coach tour

See the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, The Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon & Piazza Navona

 

DAY 2 - ROME TO SORRENTO VIA VATICAN CITY

Rome

What better way to spend our last day in Rome than by swinging by the Pope's house? It would be rude not to. We'll head to Vatican City, a.k.a. the smallest country in the world, and take a locally guided tour of the Sistine Chapel, gawping at Michelangelo's masterpiece on the ceiling, St Peter's Basilica & the art of the Vatican Museums

Vatican City

Sorrento

"So so so so in love with Sorrento" are about the only words you'll muster up tonight as you sit seaside watching the sunset in this famous town of beauty.

Stay

3-4 Star Standard Hotel

NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS

Locally guided tour of the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica & the art of the Vatican Museums

Scenic drive along the coast

See Mt. Vesuvius

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Bay of Naples Feast

EUR 37.00

 

DAY 3 - CAPRI

Sorrento

Capri

There's nothing quite like the gorgeous island of Capri and today it's soon to be yours. You've seen the pictures, now it's time to get some of your own. The isle of Capri is famous the world over, with travellers drawn to its endless appeal and glamorous lifestyle. Take a walk around the island, or you could opt for a glamorous boat trip to see grottos glowing in blue, green and white, ocean caves & dramatic rock formations on a private wooden motorboat. Tonight, full of Italian love, you could opt for a feast overlooking the Bay of Naples, where you'll indulge in local food and wine and toast the trip.

 

Stay

3-4 Star Standard Hotel

NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS

Day trip by boat to the Isle of Capri

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Private Capri Cruise (Summer only)

EUR 28.00

Locally guided walking tour incl. Ana Capri (winter only)

EUR 29.00

 

DAY 4 - SORRENTO TO FLORENCE VIA CHIANTI REGION

Sorrento

See you, Sorrento! Thanks for making our Instagram feeds look like shoots for Italian Vogue!

Pompeii

Once a totally vibing hang-out of the Romans, Pompeii is now an archaeological site showing remains of what was destroyed by a mountain eruption in the year ... wait for it...79AD. The saying "stepping back in time" is about to take on a whole new meaning.

Florence

The famous dome of the Duomo Cathedral sits above the city, making certain we know we have arrived in Florence. Tonight you can continue your Tuscan love affair with a stroll along River Arno & ponder the prettiness of Florence over another vino or two.

Stay

3-4 Star Standard Hotel

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Pompeii Guided Walking Tour

EUR 24.50

 

DAY 5 - FLORENCE

Florence

Explore the city's markets complete with gelato in hand; marvel at artworks from the likes of legends like Michelangelo; and be impressed by the skillful art of leather at an included demonstration. These are the sorts of activities likely to fill your Florence agenda. Tonight, you have the chance to sign up for a traditional Tuscan evening with dinner full of Italian flavours. Top off your night with an optional Space Electronic Disco at one of Florence's hippest nightclubs.

Stay

3-4 Star Standard Hotel

NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS

Discover the Secrets of Michelangelo's Florence – see Ponte Vecchio, the Medici Palace & much more on our locally guided walking tour of Florence

See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria

Learn about Florence's leather craft with a demonstration

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Tuscan Evening

EUR 46.00

 

DAY 6 - FLORENCE TO VENICE VIA VERONA

Florence

From one romantic city to the next, today we're venturing on to Verona and Venice to find Shakespearean vibes and a city that floats.

Verona

In fair Verona, we'll be lapping up the city where the story of Romeo & Juliet was set. Deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its urban structure and architecture, we'll absorb it over a stroll past the Roman Arena and find a spot to eat before our next destination.

Venice

Already in the spirit of Italian history and romance, tonight we'll land in the nest of Venice, which rivals the beauty of any other body of canals in the world, it's immensely charming thanks to drifting gondolas. You'll get the chance to explore this city tomorrow with a full free day on the agenda, but tonight, you have the chance to head out onto the lamplit streets and get your bearings with an optional evening walking tour.

Stay

Holiday Inn Marghera Hotel Venice (or similar)

NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS

See the Roman Arena in Verona

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Evening passegiata of Venice

EUR 26.00

 

DAY 7 - VENICE

Venice

Today you're likely to burst out of bed and ready to explore the city. Find hidden lanes & story book bridges, & take our private boat ride through character filled canals. Cruise through the canals of Venice on an optional gondola ride, or opt in for a magical trip to Burano for a Venetian dinner this evening.

Stay

Holiday Inn Marghera Hotel Venice (or similar)

NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS

Private boat through the canals & islands of Venice

See the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Square

See Venice's iconic canals & gondolas

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Burano Island Cruise & Dinner

EUR 50.00

Gondola ride

EUR 23.00

 

DAY 8 - VENICE TO MILAN VIA LAKE GARDA

Venice

Now that Venice has charmed us, it's time to strut our way to Milan for all things fashion & good taste.

Lake Garda

En route, we'll stop at Sirmione to gaze upon vine-covered villas, Roman ruins and a fable like castle. For those keen to get panoramic with the Dolomite Mountain range & suss out lake life, an optional cruise is up for grabs.

Milan

Here we are in the Capital of Cool. Spend your free afternoon faking fabulous at the glam shopping arcade of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. You'll also need to put La Scala Opera House and Duomo Cathedral on your Milan must-do list. Tonight you have the chance to treat yourself to an extra special Italian meal with our optional EatWith experience, where you'll get to meet Milan locals and dine with them in their home.

Stay

Milano Sesto Hotel (or similar)

NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS

See the Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II & La Scala Opera House in Milan

Visit Sirmione

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Eat with Milan

EUR 35.00

Lake Cruise

EUR 9.50

 

DAY 9 - MILAN TO ITALIAN RIVIERA

Milan

This morning we make an exit from Milan with coastal villages on the mind. Get your camera at the ready and on max charge; this will be a day of pretty.

The Riviera

Today is truly one for the bucket list, as we're in the glamorous Cinque Terre. Today you'll see this area the right way, by water and land. We'll head to Monterosso by boat, before train hopping your way back to our base, La Spezia.

Stay

3-4 Star Standard Hotel

NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS

Visit the towns of Monterosso & Portovenere

Cruise along the scenic coast (weather permitting, Summer only)

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Pesto Making & Dinner

 

DAY 10 - ITALIAN RIVIERA TO ROME VIA PISA

The Riviera

Walk away from the Italian Riviera with plans to come back here for a few weeks or months, why not?

Pisa

It's our last leg before we loop back to Rome, and we plan to make the most of it. Which means a final stop in Pisa to ogle at the world's most famous #AwkwardLean, no less.

Chianti Region

Endless lines of olive trees & the golden Tuscan sun will have us in a stupor of happiness. And that's before we've pulled up at a 16th century Tuscan winery to explore an old cellar & try a local drop paired with delicious antipasto.

Rome

Now that you're 10-days deep in your Italian odyssey, you will set your eyes upon Rome with heightened love and appreciation for the great country she's nested in. Get a glimpse of the greats, maybe down some pizza and stroll the streets in la mode of leisure knowing you have all day tomorrow to see the sites.

Stay

Polo Hotel (or similar)

NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS

Special access Rome sightseeing coach tour

See the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Guided tour of a 16th century Tuscan winery while enjoying local Chianti & antipasto

 

DAY 11 - ROME

Rome

The end might be near, but we're in no great hurry to start winding down the adventure. As it's our last night on our trip, an optional dinner has been organised in a Roman restaurant complete with an opera singer, live music and pasta. We like to end things on a high note - no opera pun intended.

Stay

Polo Hotel (or similar)

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Dinner ‘La Dolce Vita’

EUR 40.50

Rome of the Emperors & Gladiators including the Colosseum

EUR 32.00

 

DAY 12 - DEPART ROME

Rome

That's a wrap! Our Italian love affair has officially come to a close but will carry on filling our thoughts way into the future. Particularly when we're back in the real world dreaming of the good life on tour.