Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome
You'll arrive in Rome and meet the rest of your group, then hop on the coach heading to Trastevere. This neighborhood has a laid-back vibe with cobblestone streets and locals hanging out in the piazzas. The food walking tour takes you through artisan shops where you'll sample local treats and specialties, then you'll take a passeggiata (that's the Italian evening stroll) through the district before heading back to settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Food walking tour of Trastevere district with local treats sampling
Landmarks/POIs Trastevere River Tiber - Day 2
Baschi - Siena - Tuscany
Start the morning with a funicular ride up a hill in central Rome for views of the countryside stretching out below. From there, you'll travel to Baschi to visit Casale Polegri vineyard and olive orchard where the Polegri family will show you around their farm. Lunch happens under the veranda with homemade wine and food they've prepared, then you're off to Siena. The afternoon gives you time to see Piazza del Campo, the main square, and wander through this medieval UNESCO site. Dinner's at a local pizzeria in Siena before heading to your Tuscany hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Casale Polegri lunch with bruschetta topped with homemade extra virgin olive oil, focaccia bread with homegrown rosemary and vegetables, risotto or pasta, homemade wine and dessert)
Included Activities
- Funicular ride to hilltop viewpoint
- Casale Polegri vineyard and olive orchard tour with family meet
- Lunch at Casale Polegri including bruschetta, focaccia, risotto/pasta and homemade wine
- Siena exploration including Piazza del Campo
Optional Activities
- Dinner in a Sienese pizzeria
Landmarks/POIs Piazza del Campo Siena Historic Centre Casale Polegri - Day 3
San Gimignano
You'll cycle through Tuscan hills from Gaiole out to a local vineyard for Chianti wine tasting and learning how this region's wine tradition works. After that, there's a stop at a butcher shop for sampling cured meats and cheeses. Later you'll reach San Gimignano, the hilltop town famous for its towers, with views of the Chianti valley all around. The town is yours to explore at your own pace, and dinner happens in the evening with wine if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bike ride from Gaiole to local vineyard
- Wine tasting at local vineyard
- Meat and cheese sampling at local butcher
- San Gimignano exploration
Landmarks/POIs San Gimignano Chianti Valley Gaiole in Chianti - Day 4
Florence
The day starts with a leather craft demonstration where you'll learn about Florence's artisan heritage and make your own leather accessory. A local guide then walks you through Florence showing the Duomo, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Ponte Vecchio with its jewelry shops lining the bridge, and a Michelangelo's David replica. You've got free time after to explore more, shop around, or grab food. Before you leave, touch the nose of Il Porcellino bronze boar in Piazza del Mercato, the tradition for good luck.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leather craft demonstration with custom accessory creation
- Locally guided walking tour of Florence including Giotto's Bell Tower, Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Baptistery, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria
Optional Activities
- Bistecca Fiorentina (Tuscan steak) lunch or dinner
- Make Your Own Leather Belt Workshop
Landmarks/POIs Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile) Duomo (Florence Cathedral) Ponte Vecchio Piazza della Signoria Basilica Santa Croce Baptistery of Florence Il Porcellino (Bronze Boar) Piazza del Mercato - Day 5
Lucca
You'll visit Pisa's Leaning Tower with a local guide and get that classic photo pretending to hold it up. Then it's on to Lucca, a charming town with 16th-century walls still surrounding the old center, cobbled streets, and Renaissance buildings. You'll have time to walk around, grab gelato, sit at historic cafes in the piazzas, and just soak in the atmosphere. Later there's a drive to a local winery for wine tasting with a snack platter to go along with it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leaning Tower of Pisa locally guided tour
- Lucca exploration including 16th-century walls and historic centre
- Wine tasting at Fattoria Al Dotto winery with snack platter
Landmarks/POIs Leaning Tower of Pisa Lucca Historic Centre Lucca 16th-Century Walls Fattoria Al Dotto - Day 6
Montalcino
Head south to Montalcino, a historic hilltop town known for producing Brunello di Montalcino wine. This wine is one of Italy's priciest because it comes from a specific grape variety and has complex flavors after aging. You'll have time to explore the town itself, and dinner's on your own so you can choose where to eat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Dinner in Montalcino
Landmarks/POIs Montalcino - Day 7
Rome
You'll travel back to Rome to finish up your Italian trip. This is when you reflect on the week you've spent in the Eternal City and say goodbye to the people you've traveled with. It marks the end of your Contiki adventure through Italy.
Landmarks/POIs Rome
