CONTIKI

Italian Espresso

​September 3 - 12, 2023
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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.
IN-DEPTH EXPLORER
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10 days
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2 countries
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9 breakfasts, 2 dinners

Your Itinerary

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September 3, 2023 Start 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. Yep, that means the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Piazza Navona, the Colosseum & the Roman Forum. With our eyes wide and camera roll full, we'll head to the streets for an included Italian feast. Maybe washed down with some chianti. La perfezione!
Stay: Hotel St. Martin​ (or similar)
Meal(s): Dinner
Included Experiences: ​Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking all the sights off your bucket list! See the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, the Pantheon and more.
September 4, 2023 Rome to Florence
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 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.
Stay: BB Centro (or similar)
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Highlights: ​Siena is packed with charming photo ops. From the Duomo to Piazza del Campo.
September 5, 2023 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 live local music and Chianti wine from the nearby vineyards. Our hosts have cooked up a feast of antipasto and Italian specialties, which we’ll enjoy al fresco, in front of the lush Tuscan hills. Save some room for ‘dolce’ i.e a mystery homemade dessert!
​Stay: BB Centro (or similar)
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Meal(s): Breakfast
Included Experiences: ​​See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria on a locally guided walking tour of Florence
Free Time Add-Ons:
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Wind down with an aperitivo & take in the scenery of the Tuscan hills. EUR 51.00
September 6, 2023 Florence to Cinque Terre
​​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. It's a perfect spot to grab a bite before we hit the road again. 
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Cinque Terre Welcome to the Italian Riviera! You're going to fall head over heels with this region over the coming days...
Stay: Hotel Le Grazie​ (or similar)
Meal(s): Breakfast
Highlights: ​Your ultimate chance to ‘hold the tower up’ as you pose for that classic Insta snap in Pisa.
Highlights: ​Ramble around the cobbled streets of this Renaissance walled city in Tuscany. It’s an Insta post waiting to happen!
September 7, 2023 Cinque Terre
Some people think Cinque Terre is just one place, but it actually translates to the 'five lands,' 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, so whether you're into trekking, taking it easy, or a combination of the two, you can explore Cinque Terre your way. Whichever way you choose to get around, it's hard not to fall in love with the dramatic cliff-faces, cute pastel coloured buildings tumbling down the coast and all sorts of historic monuments. The food here is pretty special, too. Why not make your way down the coast trying local delicacies like pesto, focaccia and seafood! Bene!
Stay: Hotel Le Grazie​ (or similar)
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Meal(s): Breakfast
Highlights: ​We’ll take care of your rail pass, so you can just zip around the iconic clifftop villages and focus on the Insta stories.
September 8, 2023 Cinque Terre to Milan
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Cinque Terre We're hitting the road today to one of the most elegant cities in Europe.
Como 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.
Milan 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... 
Stay: BB Hotel Sesto Milano​ (or similar)
​Meal(s): Breakfast
​Free Time Add-Ons:
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Take a leisurely cruise along Lake Como situated at the foothills of the Italian Dolomites. EUR 22.00
September 9, 2023 Milan to Venice
Milan The dreamy destinations just don't stop coming...
Verona 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...
Venice Welcome to Venice! Our hearts will swell at the mazy canals and ancient architecture. 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!
​Stay: A conveniently located hotel (or similar)
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​Meal(s): Breakfast
Included Experiences: 
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The sight of this famous balcony will turn even the most hardened cynic into a romantic soul in Verona.  ​
​Free Time Add-Ons:
Eating the true Venetian way sampling various cicchetti (Venetian style tapas) & wines at a host of locations off the beaten track. EUR 47.00
September 10, 2023 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.
Stay: A conveniently located hotel (or similar)
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​Meal(s): Breakfast
Included Experiences: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice. Get total James Bond vibes.
Free Time Add-Ons:
Sit back & watch the city open up from the canals in a gondola. EUR 26.00
September 11, 2023 Venice to Rome via Bologna
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Venice 
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.
Bologna But not before making a quick stop in Bologna. This gorgeous medieval marvel of stunning architecture will have you looking twice!
Rome Arriving back in Rome, we'll have the option for a foodie experience, where we'll meet some locals and discover the finest food Rome has to offer.
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Stay: Hotel St. Martin (or similar)
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​Meal(s): Breakfast
​Free Time Add-Ons:
Dine on Italian family recipes in a historical building in one of Rome's oldest neighborhoods. EUR 43.00
September 12, 2023 End Rome
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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.
Vatican 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!
Rome Then our trip comes to an end in the afternoon. Swap contact details and start planning your next adventure!
​​Meal(s): Breakfast
Highlights: ​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.
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Grand Canyon University Trip
​​
September 3, 2023
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#ITALIANESPRESSO

Starting at:
​
$2,214.00

per person rate
based on multi-share
​Land only (no international air from US not included)

$634.00 Single Supplement*
​*subject to availability
For more information,
​please contact:

Scheduled Groups Department 
P: (888) 370-2736
E: GCUTrips@ttc.com
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Your Stops
  • Rome 1 night
  • Florence 2 nights
  • Cinque Terre 2 nights
  • Milan 1 night
  • Venice 2 nights
  • Rome 1 night
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Accommodations
All accommodation is included on this trip. 9 nights in Hotels
Trip Experiences
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3 Inclusions
Experiences that are included with your trip.
  • See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria on a locally guided walking tour of Florence
  • Explore Cinque Terre by train
  • See Juliet's balcony & Arena di Verona
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6 Free Time Add-Ons
Optional experiences that you can choose from and pay for on your trip.
  • Tuscan Risotto Evening. EUR 51.00
  • Lake Como Cruise. EUR 22.00
  • Traditional Tastes of Venice with Transport. EUR 47.00
  • Gondolas in Venice. EUR 26.00
  • Burano Island Cruise & Dinner. EUR 59.00
  • Rome Like A Local. EUR 43.00​
​​**Pricing for optional experiences and free time add-ons is based on 2022 prices and is subject to change without notice.
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Grand Canyon University Trip
Italian Espresso

​​
September 3, 2023

Starting at:
​
$2,214.00

per person rate
based on multi-share
​Land only (no international air from US not included)

$634.00 Single Supplement*
​*subject to availability
For more information,
​please contact:

Scheduled Groups Department 
P: (888) 370-2736
E: GCUTrips@ttc.com