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. 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 Mediterranean sea. 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. Stay: Hotel Albatross (or similar)

It simply wouldn't be a trip to Sorrento without a side note to... After wandering the cobbled streets of Sorrento, we'll take a scenic drive along the Amalfi coast, stopping off in Amalfi town to admire the castles and coastal views.

Next up, you'll have the unique opportunity to visit a Lemon Farm and learn all about how your fav limoncello is made. Back in Sorrento, we'll all tuck into an included dinner. (B/D)

See you, Sorrento! Thanks for making our Instagram feeds look like shoots for Italian Vogue! Was that thunder? ! Oh thank goodness, it was just your stomach… all that walking really gets the old appetite going. Good thing dinner's on us tonight. Drop your bags off and join us to munch on a satisfying dinner. Let the Tuscan goodness sink in… (B) Stay: Hotel Mirage (or similar)

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! You know, the one with the famous red dome that sits above Florence?

Today after breakfast, we'll learn all about Duomo, plus the Basilica, Giotto's Bell Tower, and more as locals show us around the city of Florence with a walking tour. Take your time soaking in the sights. And maybe even grab some lunch at a cosy trattoria. But remember to save some space for dinner. Because tonight, you can choose to join us for a special Tuscan dinner on the hills (with a sumptuous Florentine steak, and more local specialities). It's ‘La Dolce Vita' indeed. (B)

Goodbye, Florence! We'll get some breakfast, and leave the historical streets for the heavenly lake scenes. 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 take an optional lake cruise (summer only), giving yourself a better look at the epic Swiss Alps reflected off the water. Our other recommendation for tonight? Swiss chocolate. (B) Stay: Ibis Budget Luzern City (or similar)

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 Paris. 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. (B) Stay: Ibis Lyon Sud Oullins (or similar)

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. (B/D) Stay: B&B Hotel Paris Nord 18ème (or similar)

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 roam tree-lined quartiers, see Notre Dame Cathedral, hunt for vintage treasures in Le Marais, or get arty in the galleries of the Louvre. (B) Stay: Ibis Paris 17 Clichy-Batignolles (or similar)

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. (B)