Italian Espresso | Summer | 2025
Italian Espresso | Summer | 2025
$2716
Italian Espresso | Summer | 2025
10 Days Starting and ending in Rome
Visiting: Rome, Siena, Florence, Lucca, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Como, Milan, Verona, Venice, Bologna, Vatican
Tour Overview
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.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Hotel Marc'Aurelio (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, before taking to the streets for an included Italian feast. After dinner we'll head on an orientation tour of the city ticking off all the sights in Rome.
Day 2: Rome To Florence Via Siena
Location: Rome, Siena, Florence
Accommodation Name: BB Centro (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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... We'll turn in for the night, dreaming of the Florentine adventures that await us tomorrow.
Day 3: Florence
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 wine from the nearby vineyards. Watch a risotto demonstration 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 Lucca And Pisa
Location: Florence, Lucca, Pisa, Cinque Terre
Accommodation Name: Hotel Le Grazie (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Farewell, Florence. We'll never forget you. But we've got more dreamy Italian hot spots to hit up. Now we get to stopover at 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
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
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
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
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
Location: Venice, Bologna, Rome
Accommodation Name: Hotel Marc'Aurelio (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 dine on a wholesome meal at a 17th-century tavern in Trastevere. All washed down with some fine Italian wine? If you say so.
Day 10: End Rome
Location: Rome, Vatican, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
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!
What's Included
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Accommodation
9 nights in Hotels accommodation on this tour.
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Fully Guided
Expert Trip Manager + Driver Team + Local Guides is on this tour.
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Meals
9 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners is included.
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Transport
What's Not Included
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Airfare
International and domestic airfare to and from the starting and ending points of the tour are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included but is highly recommended for all participants.
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Some Meals
While several meals are included, some will be at your own expense, giving you the opportunity to explore local cuisines.
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Optional Activities
Any optional activities mentioned, such as the cruise to Bellagio or the Pesto Making Class, are not included in the tour price.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and other incidental costs are not covered.
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Tips and Gratuities
Tips for tour guides and drivers are not included and are at your discretion.
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City Taxes
Some cities in Italy may charge a tourist tax, which is not included in the tour price and must be paid locally.
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
Culture
- 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.
- Lucca: Ramble around the cobbled streets of this Renaissance walled city in Tuscany. It’s an Insta post waiting to happen!
- Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice.
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.
Foodie
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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!
Check out our Q&As
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What countries will be visited on the Italian Espresso tour?
The Italian Espresso tour visits Italy.
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What are some highlights of the Italian Espresso tour?
Highlights of the Italian Espresso tour include an orientation tour of Rome including an Italian feast, visit to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploration of Florence, known as a 'walking museum', visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the charming town of Lucca, experience the Italian Riviera and the stunning Cinque Terre, enjoy the glitz and glamour of Lake Como and a possible cruise to Bellagio, discover Milan, the sophisticated cityscape, and a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
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What are the exclusions of the tour?
Exclusions of the tour include airfare (both international and domestic to and from the starting and ending points of the tour), travel insurance, some meals, optional activities such as the cruise to Bellagio or the Pesto Making Class, personal expenses like souvenirs, laundry, and other incidental costs, tips and gratuities for tour guides and drivers, and city taxes that some cities in Italy may charge.
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What type of accommodation is provided on the Italian Espresso tour?
The Italian Espresso tour provides hotel accommodations, with specific hotels mentioned such as Hotel Genova (or similar), BB Centro (or similar), Hotel Le Grazie (or similar), BB Hotel Milano Sesto (or similar), and Centro Soggiorno San Servolo (or similar).
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Are meals included in the Italian Espresso tour?
Yes, several meals are included in the Italian Espresso tour, but some will be at your own expense.
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What is the starting location of the Italian Espresso tour?
The starting location of the Italian Espresso tour is Rome.
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What is the ending location of the Italian Espresso tour?
The ending location of the Italian Espresso tour is Rome.
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Are there any optional activities mentioned for the Italian Espresso tour?
Yes, optional activities mentioned for the Italian Espresso tour include a cruise to Bellagio and a Pesto Making Class.
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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.
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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.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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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.
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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.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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