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.

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.

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...

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 for a cruise.

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...

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.

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 dine on a wholesome meal at a 17th-century tavern in Trastevere. All washed down with some fine Italian wine? If you say so.

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, an included dinner tonight will refuel us after a day of sightseeing.

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. 

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.

We're headed back to Rome today.

Back in Rome for more historic spots, foodie shops and photo ops. Today, you'll have the option to head out to a local restaurant and make (and eat) your very own pasta.