Rome to London Vistas (Winter)

Kicking off your adventure in Rome, you’ll meet up with the rest of your crew who are all ready and waiting this morning. Then there’s no time to waste, Rome is begging to be explored! Our first day will be a whirlwind of Roman architecture and bucket list sights as we uncover all of Rome’s key features, from the Colosseum to St Peter’s Basilica, and even the chance to explore Vatican City. Not enough? There’s also the option to head back in time and discover Rome of the Emperors and Gladiators with a guided tour of the Colosseum. With a full day of exploring behind you, you’re free to head out tonight to find some dinner and check out the local nightlife.

Full of gelato and memories, we’ll bid ‘ciao’ to Bella Roma and head south for Sorrento, with a special stop on the way. Driving down the coast today, we have the option to check out the ruins of Pompeii, the fascinating Roman town that was destroyed by Vesuvius and then perfectly preserved in volcanic ash. Soak up the sweeping views on route to gorgeous Sorrento, where sun-bleached pastel houses perch along cliffs, tumbling down to the Mediterraneansea. Here you’ll have the chance to treat yourself with a visit to La Sorgente, a nearby locally-owned family mozzarella farm, for an authentic Italian meal complete with fresh homemade mozzarella, rich olive oil and sunshine-coloured limoncello.

Today you’ll have the chance to wander the cobbled streets of Sorrento or visit a local family-run lemon farm high in the hills of Amalfi. Here you’ll get to learn how these huge, sunshine coloured fruits are harvested and turned into limoncello, as well as homemade lemon cake and lemonade. Just save some room for tonight - we’re heading out to enjoy a tasty real napolitana-style dinner with ‘the best pizza in Sorrento’ at Pizzeria Trianon.

See you, Sorrento! Thanks for making our Instagram feeds look like shoots for Italian Vogue! Woah, what’s that big thing in the sky?! It’s not a hot cross bun, is it… Oh wait, it's just the Duomo Cathedral! You know, the one with the famous red dome that sits above Florence? We’ll learn all about Duomo, plus the Basilica, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and more as locals show us around the city of Florence. Was that thunder?! Oh thank goodness, it was just your stomach… all that walking really gets the old appetite going. Good thing there’s a Tuscan evening ahead - a feast of local food from Central Italy with music. Opt in to this experience as a free time add on (trust us, you won’t regret it!) Eating pasta in Italy is as good as it sounds, but also keep your eye out for sumptuous Florentine steak, boozy tiramisu, and more local specialities.

Florence, you’ve been a dream, but today will see us moving onwards and upwards to Milan. Arriving in super-chic Milan, get ready to feel your diva self. Strut your stuff downtown to see the famous Milan Duomo, Galleria and La Scala.

Leaving Milan this morning we’ll be saying a final ‘ciao’ to Italy, but the dreamy destinations don’t stop coming as we cross the border over the Swiss Alps. With magical views unfolding outside our windows we'll find ourselves in Switzerland, pulling up in the fairytale town of Lucerne, famous for its wooden bridges, cobbled lanes and beautiful setting against the lake it's named after. Here you'll have the chance to ascend Mt Pilatus on the world’s steepest (and most charming) cogwheel railway, or explore this charming mountain town that comes alive in winter. Our other recommendation for tonight? Swiss chocolate.

Though we left France in body, part of our spirit stayed behind. Today we leave Lucerne to go pick it up, venturing to the country's second biggest city for 1-night of play before Spain.After rolling past the charming French countryside we grew very fond of, we'll pull up at Lyon where a charming Old Town is calling our names. Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France, so we'll head off in search of a quaint 'bouchon' to sample the local delicacies. Topped off with some beaujolais wine, but of course.

Rolling out of Lyon this morning we’re Paris-bound, swapping countryside for inner-city bliss. Lamp-lit bridges, a sparkling Eiffel Tower, & evening coffee haunts, tonight we fall in love with everything Paris, made all the more romantic in winter months. After an included dinner at the hotel, our Trip Manager will fill us in on the city's secrets with a dreamy night-time tour of the 'city of lights', passing the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, and Notre Dame Cathedral. We’ll also take a trip up the Montparnasse Tower for the best views of the Eiffel Tower you’ll find anywhere in Paris.

Pastries, paintings, perfume - Paris is ours! First we’ll visit the glamorous Fragonard perfumery for a lesson in the olfactory arts, then the time is yours to explore cosy cafes, visit Notre Dame Cathedral, hunt for vintage treasures in Le Marais, or get arty in the galleries of the Louvre. Can you believe it’s our last night together? You’ll have the chance to make it count with a VIP cabaret experience, including dinner and champagne at the one-and-only Moulin Rouge show.

Soak up your last dose of Paris and feel the astonishment of how much you’ve seen during this awesome trip, not to mention how close you’ve grown to your Contiki pals.What a journey! On arrival in London say a fond farewell to the group - the adventure has come to an end.