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Italian Espresso with Contiki

10 days

09 Feb 25 to 02 Mar 25

Book by 05 Dec 24

Get ready for 10 days of la dolce vita! This Italian adventure hits all the must-see destinations, from Venice, Florence, and Rome to the charming towns of Pisa, Verona, and Siena. We’ll savor antipasto and Chianti, enjoy regional dishes at cozy trattorias, cruise through Venice's canals and islands, and marvel at the architectural wonders of Florence. Comfortable hotels and endless espresso and pizza await you on this unforgettable journey.

Includes

10 Day Contiki Guided Holiday
9 Nights in hotels
9 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners
Transport by coach
Experienced Trip Manager and Local Guides
Optional free time add on experiences (additional costs apply)
Included Experiences
Tour Rome on Foot: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking off some sights on your bucket list!
Get to know Siena: This medieval Tuscan city is packed with charming photo ops. From the Duomo to Piazza del Campo
Florence Walking Tour: See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria on a locally guided walking tour of Florence
Explore Lucca: Ramble around the cobbled streets of this Renaissance walled city in Tuscany. It’s an Insta post waiting to happen and much more!

Excludes

Flights
Arrival/ departure transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance
Spending money and items of a personal nature

Extras

You have to be between the age of 18 and 35 years old to travel with Contiki
Additional costs apply for optional free time add on experiences
Secure your spot today with a deposit from as low as R1000* and pay the rest 60 days before departure

Highlights

9 Nights accommodation
11 Meals
Sightseeing

Itinerary

Day 1: 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. Accommodation: Hotel Archimede (or similar) Included Meals: Dinner included

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 before turning in for the night, dreaming of the Florentine adventures that await us tomorrow. Accommodation: BB Centro (or similar) Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner included

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! Accommodation: BB Centro (or similar) Included Meals: Breakfast included

Day 4: Florence to Cinque Terre via Pisa and Lucca

Florence Farewell, Florence. We'll never forget you. But we've got more dreamy Italian hot spots to hit up. 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. 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. Cinque Terre Welcome to the Italian Riviera! You're going to fall head over heels with this region over the coming days... Accommodation: Hotel Le Grazie (or similar) Included Meals: Breakfast included

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. Accommodation: Hotel Le Grazie (or similar) Included Meals: Breakfast

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... Accommodation: BB Hotel Milano Sesto (or similar) Included Meals: Breakfast

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 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. Accommodation: Villa Pace Park Hotel Bolognese (or similar) Included Meals: Breakfast

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 meal. Accommodation: Villa Pace Park Hotel Bolognese (or similar) Included Meals: Breakfast

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 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. Accommodation: Hotel Archimede (or similar) Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: End in Rome

Rome Rome wasn't built in a day - so get up and get going early to make the most of this ancient city. When in Rome... take a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Vatican Religious or not, the Vatican's Italian Renaissance church will send shivers down your spine. Rome Then our trip comes to an end in the afternoon. Swap contact details and start planning your next adventure! Included Meals: Breakfast

Terms & conditions

Prices are per person twin share/multi share as per itinerary, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and may be found on our website. Offer can be removed at any time. Pricing varies pending departure date. Cyber Sale 2024: Sale is valid on select trips departing between 1st January and 31st December 2025. Discount applies to new bookings only, made between 1st November and 5th December 2024. Discount applies to the land portion of your trip price only (this excludes any applicable taxes, included flight costs, national park fees, Inca Trail permits, festival tickets, extra accommodation & optional activities). The deal is combinable with Past Guest, Future Travel Credit & Book with Friends discounts. Not combinable with any other offer. Contiki reserves the right to validate bookings and will remove any additional offers added online that are not combinable. Discounts are not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Offer not valid on special departure and interest groups, pre and post accommodation or the Detour range of trips. Offer is not transferable to other dates. Promo code must be mentioned or entered at checkout at time of booking. R1000* pp deposit secures your booking with full payment due 60 days prior to departure. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.

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