Simply Italy | Winter | 2024/2025

Simply Italy | Winter | 2024/2025

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15 Days From

$3068

$2156

Simply Italy | Winter | 2024/2025

15 Days Starting and ending in Rome

Visiting: Rome, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Cinque Terre, Como, Milan, Verona, Venice, Bologna, Pompeii, Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast

Tour operator:

Contiki

Tour code:

WWIYMA19

Specialist Group:

18-30 Somethings

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

12 - 38

Age range:

18-35

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

From: $3068 $2156 Operator discount: -$912 -30%

NB: Prices correct on 27-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Welcome to 15 days of pure Italian travel immersion. Covering Rome, Florence, 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 in the breezy winter. 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!

Highlights

  • Orientation tour of Rome including an Italian feast and Visit to Siena a UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • Exploration of Florence known as a 'walking museum' and Visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the charming town of Lucca

  • Exploring the Italian Riviera and the stunning Cinque Terre and Experience the glitz and glamour of Lake Como and the elegance of Milan

  • Discover the heart of Renaissance romance in Verona and the ancient architecture of Venice and Exploration of Naples home of pizza and an option to visit the ruins of Pompeii

  • Amalfi Coast visit including Sorrento's cliffs and Positano and Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel in Rome

Itinerary

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Day 1: Start Rome

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Location: Rome

Accommodation Name: Hotel Archimede (or similar)

Meals Included: Dinner

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.

Day 2: Rome To Florence Via Siena

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Location: Rome, Siena, Florence

Accommodation Name: BB Centro (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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 before turning in for the night, dreaming of the Florentine adventures that await us tomorrow.

Day 3: Florence

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Location: Florence

Accommodation Name: BB Centro (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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!

Day 4: Florence To Cinque Terre Via Pisa And Lucca

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Location: Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Cinque Terre

Accommodation Name: Hotel Le Grazie (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Farewell, Florence. We'll never forget you. But we've got more dreamy Italian hot spots to hit up. 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. 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. Welcome to the Italian Riviera! You're going to fall head over heels with this region over the coming days...

Day 5: Cinque Terre

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Location: Cinque Terre

Accommodation Name: Hotel Le Grazie (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 6: Cinque Terre To Milan Via Como

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Location: Cinque Terre, Como, Milan

Accommodation Name: BB Hotel Milano Sesto (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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...

Day 7: Milan To Venice Via Verona

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Location: Milan, Verona, Venice

Accommodation Name: Villa Pace Park Hotel Bolognese (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 then it's onto another very romantic city... 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.

Day 8: Venice

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Location: Venice

Accommodation Name: Villa Pace Park Hotel Bolognese (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 9: Venice To Rome Via Bologna

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Location: Venice, Bologna, Rome

Accommodation Name: Hotel Archimede (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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. 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.

Day 10: Rome

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Location: Rome

Accommodation Name: Hotel Archimede (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Rome wasn't built in a day - so get up and get going early to make the most of this ancient city. This is also the day to do a bit of your own exploring, an included dinner tonight will refuel us after a day of sightseeing. Take a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel. Religious or not, the Vatican's Italian Renaissance church will send shivers down your spine.

Day 11: Rome To Naples

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Location: Rome, Pompeii, Naples

Accommodation Name: Hotel Nuovo Rebecchino (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we're headed to another richly historical and cultural city, known for its naturally beautiful sights and excellent cuisine. Here in the ancient city of Pompeii you will have the option to partake in a guided walking tour of the fascinating Roman town that was destroyed by Vesuvius and then perfectly preserved in volcanic ash. 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 Sorrento

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Location: Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast

Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Salerno (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We're headed to the coast today to check out some of the most glamorous seascapes in Europe. If you're here in the breezy winter months, we'll make a stop at Sorrento - the birthplace of Limoncello. Steep slopes that overlook azure waters and the whiff of Italian wonder - what's not to love? Here you'll have free time to explore Sorrento's cliffs, coasts and cafes, followed by an included lunch at La Sorgente for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience. On route to our next stop, have your cameras at the ready for a quick snap of the stunning Positano as we drive by.  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.

Day 13: Amalfi Coast

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Location: Amalfi Coast

Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Salerno (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

We've got a free day on the Amalfi coast! Lucky us. There are plenty of optionals today to keep us entertained, including 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 (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience). Here we learn how these huge, sunshine coloured fruits are harvested and turned into limoncello. We'll also get to have a Tastes of Amalfi dinner.

Day 14: Amalfi Coast To Rome

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Location: Amalfi Coast, Rome

Accommodation Name: Hotel Archimede (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

We're headed back to Rome today. Time for the Colosseum? Back in Rome, we better put on your centurion helmets because we're going on a guided tour around all the Roman ruins, and even the mighty Colosseum. Afterwards, you'll have the chance to head out to a local restaurant and make (and eat) your very own pasta.

Day 15: End Rome

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Location: Rome

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hold our gelato. Our hearts are melting as we bid a final ‘Ciao’ to our Contiki crew after a trip we’ll never forget.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    14 nights in Hotels Accommodation is included.

  • Fully Guided

    Expert Trip Manager + Driver Team + Local Guides is included.

  • Meals

    14 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners is included.

What's Not Included

  • Flights

    International flights to and from the start/end of the tour are not included.

  • Some Meals

    Not all meals are covered, providing opportunities to explore local cuisine on your own.

  • Optional Activities

    Some activities and excursions may require an additional fee.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.

  • Personal Expenses

    Such as laundry, telephone calls, and souvenirs are not included.

  • Tips and Gratuities

    Tips for guides and drivers are not included and are at your discretion.

Dining Summary

  • 3 Dinner (D)
  • 14 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)

FAQs

  • Rome: Can arrangements be made for travellers with accessibility needs? If you require arrangements to be made for your accessibility needs, please inform your Trip Manager as soon as possible. We try our best to contact all accommodations and secure ground floor rooms for easy wheelchair access.Please remember that Italy can be physically challenging to get around. Coaches can’t access historical centers, and there will be lots of walking (on roads that are often uneven and cobbled). Travellers with accessibility needs will find this trip challenging.
  • Madrid: Do the included meals have a set menu? Yep. Usually, we arrange a buffet for all your included meals. If you’d like a vegetarian option, please inform your Trip Manager beforehand, and they’ll sort it out for you.
  • Rome: When would be the best time to book tickets for museums and other attractions? This would depend on the museums & attractions you’re planning to visit. If you’d like to know the exact timings, please contact our 24x7 Helpline to access your day-to-day itineraries to check when you’ll have free time in each city.
  • Madrid: I need to refrigerate my medication. Can I do that on the coach? Of course! Just inform your Trip Manager if you need refrigeration on the coach. Please remember that the fridge is turned off overnight, so you’ll have to take your medication with you into your accommodation. We recommend that you bring a cooler bag with you as a backup. It’s your responsibility to store your medication with care.

Included Experience

  • Rome: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking off some sights on your bucket list!
  • Rome:  Kick back with your Contiki crew and feast on some yummy Italian cuisine - served at a local restaurant working to train and provide jobs for members of the community with disabilities.
  • 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.
  • Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice.
  • 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.
  • Amalfi Coast: Definitely one for the bucket list. Your chance to view one of Europe’s active volcanoes from a distance.
  • Ravello: Visit the hilltop town of Ravello, home to iconic cliffside gardens and spectacular views.
  • Positano: Take an iconic selfie with the village backdrop from a hilltop viewpoint.
  • Sorrento: Visit a third-generation family owned farm. Here you will learn how mozzarella is made & how this recipe has been passed down. Whilst there you will be treated to a homemade meal.

Check out our Q&As

  • What are the highlights of the Simply Italy Winter 2023/2024 tour?

    The highlights of the Simply Italy Winter 2023/2024 tour include an orientation tour of Rome with an Italian feast, visits to UNESCO World Heritage Site Siena, exploration of Florence, visits to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Lucca, exploring the Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre, experiencing Lake Como and Milan, discovering Verona and Venice, exploring Naples with an option to visit Pompeii ruins, visiting the Amalfi Coast including Sorrento and Positano, and a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

  • Are flights included in the Simply Italy Winter tour?

    No, international flights to and from the start/end of the tour are not included in the Simply Italy Winter tour.

  • What type of accommodations are provided in the Simply Italy Winter tour?

    The Simply Italy Winter tour provides accommodations in hotels such as Hotel Genova (or similar), BB Centro (or similar), Hotel Le Grazie (or similar), BB Hotel Milano Sesto (or similar), Centro Soggiorno San Servolo (or similar), and Grand Hotel Salerno (or similar).

  • Are meals included in the Simply Italy Winter tour?

    Not all meals are covered in the Simply Italy Winter tour, providing opportunities to explore local cuisine on your own. Some meals are included as part of the tour.

  • What are the optional activities in the Simply Italy Winter tour?

    Some activities and excursions in the Simply Italy Winter tour may require an additional fee, indicating that there are optional activities available for an extra cost.

  • Is travel insurance included in the Simply Italy Winter tour?

    No, travel insurance is not included in the Simply Italy Winter tour and is recommended for all travelers.

  • What are the exclusions in the Simply Italy Winter tour?

    Exclusions in the Simply Italy Winter tour include flights, some meals, optional activities, travel insurance, personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, and souvenirs, and tips and gratuities for guides and drivers.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.

Reviews of this operator

Trusted Customer  

Northern Choice plus Kaikoura

16-Jan-2023

The trip ran so smoothly and was well organised! The extra add ons were amazing and all the services were spot on. Food places were reasonable. I'm definitely booking my next contiki trip again soon!

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Sophie  

Exceptional customer service

14-Jan-2023

Contiki were exceptional in providing customer service. They provided me with lots of information and were quick in responding to all my questions. I found that they were super helpful.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Trusted Customer  

First time traveling with Contiki. Highly recommend! You’ll have a blast

17-Jan-2023

First time traveling internationally since Covid and glad I spent the trip with Contiki. The travel, lodging, meals, activities everything was planned effortlessly. Going to Greece in may with contiki. Highly recommend

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Trusted Customer  

Amazing trip. Made great friends and memories. Can’t wait for my next trip

15-Jan-2023

I had 24 people on my contiki and I think it was the perfect number, we all got to know each other well and got along great. Our tour guide was fun and knowledgeable, the hotels were nice and in great locations.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Tanner Stokes  

My amazing trip to Africa

13-Jan-2023

Sherif was an excellent tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable about every single small detail at each site that we visited. In addition to his great service, he has a glowing spirit that made me feel like I had family with me the entire trip. Anything that I was concerned about, he always had an answer and was there to help. I truly enjoyed my experience and will purchase a tour with him in the future

Feefo Trusted Reviews

1 Select your preferred date

Sunday - Sunday

Dec 15, 2024 - Dec 29, 2024
$3324 $2327

Operator discount: -$997

Sunday - Sunday

Jan 05, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
$3324 $2336

Operator discount: -$988

Sunday - Sunday

Feb 09, 2025 - Feb 23, 2025
$3068 $2156

Operator discount: -$912

Sunday - Sunday

Mar 02, 2025 - Mar 16, 2025
$3068 $2587

Operator discount: -$481

Sunday - Sunday

Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025
$3358 $2517

Operator discount: -$841

Simply Italy | Winter | 2025/2026

Sunday - Sunday

Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025
$3282 $2461

Operator discount: -$821

Simply Italy | Winter | 2025/2026

Sunday - Sunday

Nov 30, 2025 - Dec 14, 2025
$3282 $2461

Operator discount: -$821

Simply Italy | Winter | 2025/2026

Sunday - Sunday

Dec 14, 2025 - Dec 28, 2025
$3282 $2461

Operator discount: -$821

Simply Italy | Winter | 2025/2026

Sunday - Sunday

Jan 04, 2026 - Jan 18, 2026
$3453 $2762

Operator discount: -$691

Simply Italy | Winter | 2025/2026

Sunday - Sunday

Jan 18, 2026 - Feb 01, 2026
$3187 $2550

Operator discount: -$637

Simply Italy | Winter | 2025/2026

Sunday - Sunday

Feb 08, 2026 - Feb 22, 2026
$3187 $2550

Operator discount: -$637

Simply Italy | Winter | 2025/2026

Sunday - Sunday

Mar 01, 2026 - Mar 15, 2026
$3187 $2550

Operator discount: -$637

Simply Italy | Winter | 2025/2026

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Contiki allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform contiki, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Contiki requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of contiki charges.

    Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 25% of booking price.

    At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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