Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome
You'll arrive in Rome and meet up with your Contiki group to get settled into the city. After checking in, there's an included Italian dinner at a local restaurant where you can try some traditional food. Later, you'll take an orientation tour hitting the main sights so you get a feel for the layout and history of this ancient capital.
- Meals
- Dinner (Italian feast at a local restaurant working to train and provide jobs for members of the community with disabilities)
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Rome
- Italian feast at local restaurant
- Day 2
Rome to Florence via Siena
You're heading from Rome toward Florence, but first you'll stop in Siena for lunch and time to walk around this medieval Tuscan town. The streets are great for photos and getting a sense of the region. From there, it's on to Florence where you'll spend the night and have time to settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Siena
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Siena
Landmarks/POIs Siena Duomo Piazza del Campo - Day 3
Florence
A local guide takes you through Florence on foot, showing you the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto's Bell Tower, and Piazza della Signoria. You'll see where some of the city's most important art and architecture is concentrated. If you're interested, there's an optional Tuscan evening experience later with a risotto demonstration, local wine, and dessert.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Florence featuring Giotto's Bell Tower, Basilica Santa Croce, Piazza della Signoria, and the Duomo
Optional Activities
- Tuscan evening with risotto demo, local wine, antipasto, and dessert
Landmarks/POIs Giotto's Bell Tower Basilica Santa Croce Piazza della Signoria Florence Duomo - Day 4
Florence to Italian Riviera via Lucca and Pisa
You'll leave Florence with stops in Lucca and Pisa along the way. In Lucca, you can check out the piazzas and Renaissance buildings that make the town feel like stepping back in time. Then it's to Pisa where the Leaning Tower is right there for the classic photo. After that, you continue to the Italian Riviera for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Lucca
- Visit Leaning Tower of Pisa
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at local vineyards outside Lucca
- Lunch in Lucca
Landmarks/POIs Leaning Tower of Pisa - Day 5
Cinque Terre
This day is all about Cinque Terre and its five coastal villages. You get an unlimited hike and train pass, so you can walk the cliff paths between villages or hop on trains whenever you want. The pastel-colored buildings and seaside views are yours to explore at your own pace throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Unlimited hike and train pass for Cinque Terre exploration
Landmarks/POIs Cinque Terre National Park - Day 6
Cinque Terre to Milan via Lake Como
You're traveling to Milan with a stop at Lake Como to see why the place has such a reputation for beauty and elegance. There's a boat cruise option if you want to get out on the water. Once you reach Milan, your evening is free, so you can find somewhere to eat and check out what the city has to offer for nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Cruise on Lake Como
Landmarks/POIs Lake Como - Day 7
Milan to Treviso via Verona
On the way to Treviso, you'll stop in Verona where you can visit Juliet's famous balcony from Shakespeare's play. After spending time there, you continue to Treviso where the evening is yours to explore the cobblestone streets. The local tiramisu is something to try while you're wandering around.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Juliet's Balcony in Verona
Landmarks/POIs Juliet's Balcony - Day 8
Venice
Venice takes up the whole day. You'll board a private boat and cross the canal to get into the historical center of the city. From there, you can decide what appeals to you: a gondola ride, an optional Burano Island Cruise that includes a meal, or just walking through the winding streets and along the canals to see what you find.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Private boat transfer across Venice lagoon to city center
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride
- Burano Island Cruise with meal
Landmarks/POIs St. Mark's Square - Day 9
Venice to Rome via Bologna
The journey back to Rome includes a stop in Bologna, where you can explore the UNESCO-listed porticoes and try the local specialties like prosciutto, mortadella, and bolognese sauce. After that, you arrive in Rome with your evening free to find dinner, maybe at a 17th-century tavern in Trastevere or elsewhere in the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Bologna
Optional Activities
- Explore Bologna's UNESCO-listed porticoes
- Dinner at 17th-century tavern in Trastevere
- Day 10
Rome
Your final morning in Rome lets you either take a guided tour of the Colosseum and learn about the emperors and gladiators, or simply grab photos at this iconic landmark. Either way, you'll have time to soak in the history before the tour concludes in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of the Colosseum
Landmarks/POIs Colosseum
