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Italian Espresso
Tour Description:
10 days of la dolce vita, pronto. This one is pure Italian travel, covering all the big bucket-list destinations of Venice, Florence & Rome, plus the smaller charms of Pisa, Verona, and Siena. We'll ooh and aah over antipasto & chianti, dine on regional specialties in local trattorias, boat through the canals and islands of Venice, and explore the architecturally magnificent city of Florence. Expect comfy hotels and plenty of world-famous espresso & pizza on the way.
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Dates & Pricing
| Wednesday 21 Jun 23 — Friday 30 Jun 23 | Starting at $2,945 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 12 Jul 23 — Friday 21 Jul 23 | Starting at $2,945 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 20 Aug 23 — Tuesday 29 Aug 23 | Starting at $2,760 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 30 Aug 23 — Friday 08 Sep 23 | Starting at $2,760 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 03 Sep 23 — Tuesday 12 Sep 23 | Starting at $2,629 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 06 Sep 23 — Friday 15 Sep 23 | Starting at $2,366 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 10 Sep 23 — Tuesday 19 Sep 23 | Starting at $2,760 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 13 Sep 23 — Friday 22 Sep 23 | Starting at $2,103 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 24 Sep 23 — Tuesday 03 Oct 23 | Starting at $2,498 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 15 Oct 23 — Tuesday 24 Oct 23 | Starting at $2,525 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 22 Oct 23 — Tuesday 31 Oct 23 | Starting at $2,285 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 05 Nov 23 — Tuesday 14 Nov 23 | Starting at $1,997 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 19 Nov 23 — Tuesday 28 Nov 23 | Starting at $2,114 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 10 Dec 23 — Tuesday 19 Dec 23 | Starting at $1,997 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 17 Dec 23 — Tuesday 26 Dec 23 | Starting at $2,095 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 07 Jan 24 — Tuesday 16 Jan 24 | Starting at $1,942 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 11 Feb 24 — Tuesday 20 Feb 24 | Starting at $1,942 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 03 Mar 24 — Tuesday 12 Mar 24 | Starting at $1,942 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 21 Apr 24 — Tuesday 30 Apr 24 | Starting at $2,282 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 12 May 24 — Tuesday 21 May 24 | Starting at $2,316 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 26 May 24 — Tuesday 04 Jun 24 | Starting at $2,376 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 09 Jun 24 — Tuesday 18 Jun 24 | Starting at $2,376 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 16 Jun 24 — Tuesday 25 Jun 24 | Starting at $2,376 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 23 Jun 24 — Tuesday 02 Jul 24 | Starting at $2,512 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 30 Jun 24 — Tuesday 09 Jul 24 | Starting at $2,512 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 07 Jul 24 — Tuesday 16 Jul 24 | Starting at $2,512 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 14 Jul 24 — Tuesday 23 Jul 24 | Starting at $2,512 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 28 Jul 24 — Tuesday 06 Aug 24 | Starting at $2,512 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 11 Aug 24 — Tuesday 20 Aug 24 | Starting at $2,512 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 01 Sep 24 — Tuesday 10 Sep 24 | Starting at $2,350 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 08 Sep 24 — Tuesday 17 Sep 24 | Starting at $2,350 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 15 Sep 24 — Tuesday 24 Sep 24 | Starting at $2,350 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingDining Summary
2 Dinner (D)
9 Breakfast (B)
Included Experience
Rome: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking all the sights off your bucket list!
Siena: This medieval Tuscan city is packed with charming photo ops. From the Duomo to Piazza del Campo.
Florence: See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria on a locally guided walking tour of Florence.
Pisa: Your ultimate chance to ‘hold the tower up’ as you pose for that classic Insta snap.
Lucca: Ramble around the cobbled streets of this Renaissance walled city in Tuscany. It’s an Insta post waiting to happen!
Cinque Terre National Park: We’ll take care of your rail pass, so you can just zip around the iconic clifftop villages and focus on the Insta stories.
Verona: Ah! The sight of this famous balcony will turn even the most hardened cynic into a romantic soul. And the Roman arena is an Insta post just waiting to happen.
Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice. Get total James Bond vibes.
Vatican: See this religious state and home to the Pope, IRL. Take a guided tour around Renaissance masterpieces and see the famous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
2 Dinner (D)
9 Breakfast (B)
Included Experience
Rome: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking all the sights off your bucket list!
Siena: This medieval Tuscan city is packed with charming photo ops. From the Duomo to Piazza del Campo.
Florence: See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria on a locally guided walking tour of Florence.
Pisa: Your ultimate chance to ‘hold the tower up’ as you pose for that classic Insta snap.
Lucca: Ramble around the cobbled streets of this Renaissance walled city in Tuscany. It’s an Insta post waiting to happen!
Cinque Terre National Park: We’ll take care of your rail pass, so you can just zip around the iconic clifftop villages and focus on the Insta stories.
Verona: Ah! The sight of this famous balcony will turn even the most hardened cynic into a romantic soul. And the Roman arena is an Insta post just waiting to happen.
Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice. Get total James Bond vibes.
Vatican: See this religious state and home to the Pope, IRL. Take a guided tour around Renaissance masterpieces and see the famous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYStart 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, before heading on an orientation tour of the city. With our eyes wide and camera roll full, we'll head to the streets for an included Italian feast.
Rome to Florence
Rise and shine, we're headed to another historical heavyweight today...
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 is one of the foodie capitals of Italy, so we won't waste any time trying the local delicacies with an included feast. Then we'll turn in for the night, dreaming of the Florentine adventures that await us tomorrow.
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 evening of wine from the nearby vineyards. Our hosts have cooked up a feast of antipasto and Italian specialties. Save some room for ‘dolce’ i.e a mystery homemade dessert!
Florence to Cinque Terre
Farewell, Florence. We'll never forget you. But we've got more dreamy Italian hot spots to hit up.
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.
Another stopover will let us check out lovely Lucca, with its charming piazzas, Renaissance architecture and historic cafes. Opt for a sample of wines at the local vineyards here. Or it's a perfect spot to grab a bite before we hit the road again.
Welcome to the Italian Riviera! You're going to fall head over heels with this region over the coming days...
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. The food here is pretty special too, why don’t you try a Pesto Making Class in La Spezia where you can make your own pesto from local ingredients and enjoy it later at dinner in a variety of local dishes.
Cinque Terre to Milan
We're hitting the road today to one of the most elegant cities in Europe.
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.
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...
Milan to Venice
The dreamy destinations just don't stop coming...
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, as well as the epic Roman Arena. Then it's onto another very romantic city...
Welcome to Venice! Our hearts will swell at the mazy canals and ancient architecture. First up, we’ll check into tonight’s snazzy accommodation – a Contiki Special Stay on the peaceful island of San Servolo, with breathtaking views of the Venice lagoon. Your jaw is sure to drop, but don’t let it stay on the floor for too long! Tonight we'll have the option to go for a progressive food walking tour, to try different bits of cicchetti and local wines - the perfect way to kick-start our adventures here!
Venice
Wake-up sleeping beauties! Venice is yours for the entirety of this glorious Italian day. We'll be jumping aboard our own private boat and hitting the canals 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 dinner.
Venice to Rome via Bologna
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.
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.
With our eyes wide and camera roll full, 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.
End 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.
Religious or not, the Vatican's Italian Renaissance church will send shivers down your spine.
Then our trip comes to an end in the afternoon. Swap contact details and start planning your next adventure!
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
