SIMPLY ITALY
Description
Itinerary
Price
Hotel
Remarks
Description
Overview
Welcome to 15 days of pure Italian travel immersion. Covering Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice and beyond, this one brings you the blissful best of this soul-stirring country. Explore Rome’s historical highlights, travel through the streets of Michelangelo’s Florence, indulge in some authentic pasta on the Amalfi Coast. Stop by to see the stooping slopes of Sorrento or the picture perfect Positano for your summery soul. And that’s just an aperitivo. Beauty, romance and all the pasta you can fit in; the good life just got even better. That’s amore!
Included/Excluded
- Hotel/hostel accommodation
- Local transport
- Various experiences like guided tours and meals
- An expert Trip Manager & Driver and
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
- Breakfast daily (plus a few lunches and dinners too)
- A group of friendly travellers from around the world, all aged 18-35
- 24/7 support
- Flights to/from your start/end destination
- Optional Free Time Add-Ons
- Meals not mentioned
Included
- Hotel/hostel accommodation
- Local transport
- Various experiences like guided tours and meals
- An expert Trip Manager & Driver and
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
- Breakfast daily (plus a few lunches and dinners too)
- A group of friendly travellers from around the world, all aged 18-35
- 24/7 support
Excluded
- Flights to/from your start/end destination
- Optional Free Time Add-Ons
- Meals not mentioned
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Rome
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.
- 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 a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Italian feast at La Trattoria de Gli Amici, before heading on an orientation tour of the city.
Included Experience:
- Tour Rome on Foot
- Dinner at La Trattoria de Gli Amici MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience
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:
- This beautiful city is a certified foodie capital, so we’re diving straight into an included feast of local delicacies.
- Then it’s lights out, with dreams of tomorrow’s Florentine adventures dancing in our heads.
Included Experience:
- Get to know Siena
Day 3: Florence
Florence:
- Florence is basically a giant open-air museum, and today we’re hitting it on foot.
- With a Local Guide, we’ll check out Giotto’s Bell Tower, Basilica Santa Croce, Piazza della Signoria, and the epic Duomo.
- Tonight, it’s all about an optional Tuscan evening with a risotto demo, local wine, antipasto, and some ‘dolce’ to finish.
Included Experience:
- Florence Walking Tour
- Tuscan Risotto Evening
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…
Included Experience:
- Visit Pisa (for that Epic Selfie)
- Explore Lucca
Optional Experience:
- Lucca Wine Tasting
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.
Included Experience:
- Explore Cinque Terre
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:
- Before that, a quick stop to experience the glitz and glamour of Lake Como. The showstopper is the lake itself, of course, and you’ll also have the option to get out on the water for a cruise.
Milan:
- Welcome to Milan – all style, all sass. Tonight’s free for you to chase down the best eats, sip on local flavours, and see where the night takes you. Your Trip Manager’s got the inside scoop on the must-dos (and the must-avoids).
Optional Experience:
- Lake Como Cruise
Day 7: Milan to Venice via Verona
Milan:
- The dreamy destinations just don’t stop coming…
Verona:
- Welcome to Verona – Renaissance romance central and the real-life stage for Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. We’ll swing by Juliet’s famous balcony (yep, the actual one!), then it’s off to our next dose of Italian romance.
Venice:
- Ciao Treviso. This low-key charmer is basically Venice’s relaxed cousin. Tonight’s free for you to wander cobbled streets, feast on local bites, and maybe hunt down the OG tiramisu (yep, it was born here). Tomorrow, we take on the real Venice.
Day 8: Venice
Venice:
- Wake-up sleeping beauties! Hop onto our coach because we’ve got the 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 if you wanna escape the crowds, there’s also an optional Burano Island Cruise (with a delish meal!) that you’ll love.
- Or you can always choose to get lost on your own and see where the maze takes you.
Included Experience:
- Cruise on a Motoscafo to Venice
Optional Experience:
- Gondolas
- Burano Island Cruise & Lunch
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 with a delicious lil’ stop on the way.
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:
- It’s a free night for dinner and a chance to dine on a wholesome meal at a 17th-century tavern in Trastevere. All washed down with some fine Italian wine? If you say so.
Optional Experience:
- Enjoy a Farewell Feast at a 17th-Century Tavern
Day 10: Rome
Rome:
- Rome wasn’t built in a day – so get up and get going early to make the most of this ancient city.
- Take a tour of the famous Colosseum and walk in the footsteps of Emperors and Gladiators with a guide, or snap epic selfies against a background of pink azaleas by the entrance.
- This is also the day to do a bit of your own exploring. Tonight, we’ll regroup for an included dinner.
Included Experience:
- Emperors & Gladiators inc Colosseum
Day 11: Rome to Naples
Rome:
- Today we’re headed to another richly historical and cultural city, known for its naturally beautiful sights and excellent cuisine.
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.
Day 12: Naples to Amalfi Coast via Pompeii and Sorrento
Naples:
- We’re headed to the coast today to check out some of the most glamorous seascapes in Europe.
Pompeii:
- In the ancient city of Pompeii, you’ll have the option to partake in a guided walking tour of the fascinating ancient Roman town that was destroyed by Vesuvius (and then perfectly preserved in volcanic ash!).
Sorrento:
- Here you’ll have an included lunch at La Sorgente for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience, followed by free time to explore Sorrento’s cliffs, coasts and cafes.
- On route to our next stop, have your cameras at the ready for a quick snap of the stunning Positano as we drive by.
Amali 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.
Included Experience:
- See Dramatic Positano
- La Sorgente Lunch MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Optional Experience:
- Guided Tour of Ancient Pompeii
Day 13: Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast:
- We’ve got a free day on the Amalfi coast! Lucky us.
- There are a couple of optionals today to keep us entertained like 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).
- Here you’ll learn how these huge, sunshine coloured fruits are harvested and turned into limoncello.
- Plus, tonight you can choose try out a delicious Amalfi Dinner.
Day 14: Amalfi Coast to Rome
Amalfi Coast:
- We’re headed back to Rome today.
Rome:
- Back in Rome for round three – more history, more foodie finds, and more photo ops.
- Tonight, you can join a local chef to whip up your own pasta masterpiece… and then eat every last bite.
Optional Experience:
- Rome Pasta Cooking Class & Dinner
Day 15: End Rome
Rome:
- Hold our gelato. Our hearts are melting as we bid a final ‘Ciao’ to our Contiki crew after a trip we’ll never forget.
Price
PRICE FROM RM9,594 SUBJECT TO DATE AND AVAILABILITY.
Hotel
- Day 1: Hotel Archimede (or similar)
- Day 2 – Day 3: BB Centro (or similar)
- Day 4 – Day 5: Hotel Le Grazie (or similar)
- Day 6: B&B Hotel Milano Sesto Marelli (or similar)
- Day 7 – Day 8: Villa Pace Park Hotel Bolognese (or similar)
- Day 9 – Day 10: Hotel Archimede (or similar)
- Day 11: Hotel Nuovo Rebecchino (or similar)
- Day 12 – Day 13: Grand Hotel Salerno (or similar)
- Day 14: Hotel Archimede (or similar)
Remarks
