Contiki Day Six. The Leaning Tower of…

Bonjourno Italia!

First stop, Pisa. We stopped here to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Only for an hour, but this was more than enough time for the standard cheesy “oh look mom, I’m holding up the tower” photograph, which I did. Clare had made a competition for whoever could take the best and most original picture, but only some of the guys did it. The general theme of the submitted pictures has now earned this building the nickname of “The Leaning Tower of Penis”. Enough said. Colby won, but all the pictures were pretty funny. I also bought a new handbag because my one’s zip broke the other night. Super chuffed with my purchase, and it even says “Made in Italy” on it. We also had a service stop where we had our first pizza in Italy. The wait for it was really long, but it was well worth it.

Pisa. And obviously the Tower would be falling over without my assistance ;)

Pisa. And obviously the Tower would be falling over without my assistance 😉

We have apparently been “upgraded” again. If this is the upgrade, I’d hate to know what the original campsite is like. Us girls scored with only three in a room – one bunk bed and one double bed. The boys apparently had more in a room, and the absolute minimum amount of space. We also had the most hectic walk up to the campsite with our day bags, and only half an hour to get ready as there were road closures which created a 45 minute detour. Needless to say, everyone was pretty annoyed by the time we got on the coach for the optional Tuscan dinner. I was in two minds about this optional before eventually deciding to do it because almost everyone did. It was quite nice, although again I don’t think it was worth the price. I would have rather gone and found a nice little restaurant somewhere. We had bruschetta and cold meats, spaghetti bolognaise, pesto pasta and spinach and cheese filled pasta. We then had mashed potatoes and meatballs and creamy mushroom chicken. We had tiramisu for dessert. It was all like a sharing set up, so you just got a little bit of each.

We could go to Red Garter for Karaoke if we wanted, but because of the delays we would need to get a cab home. I didn’t want to do that for a couple reasons. Firstly I wasn’t feeling well. Second, I didn’t like the sound of catching a cab home in a country I haven’t seen by light and don’t know the language to the middle of nowhere. And I didn’t want to spend 25€. It sounded like the beginning of “Taken”, and despite the disaster that was today I am having too much fun to go missing.

Side note: Italian boys are HOT.

Most of us had come back on the coach, and people assumed the bar would still be open. It wasn’t. Massive fail, especially when everyone was expecting a big night. Went to bed quite early to try get better and we have breakfast at 7am before we explore Florence and head to Rome.

Florence Day Sheet

Florence Day Sheet

Contiki European Highlights: 29/06/13 – 12/07/13

Here’s my plans for my 3 weeks in London and Europe, with details of my Contiki Tour. For more details, click on the links 🙂

24/06 – Hop on a plane and fly to London!

25/06-28/06 – London town, with all the exciting tourist-y things such as a The Original hop-on hop-off tour, the London Eye, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace etc. Spending a night at the Royal National Hotel to catch up with my tour mates before the tour begins.

European Highlights Map

29/06 – DAY 1: LONDON TO PARIS

We leave London early this morning, and board the ferry to France. On day 1 we get to see the White Cliffs of Dover; go on an exclusive ‘Paris by Night’ sightseeing tour with Champagne & escargot; see the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, and Notre Dame Cathedral.

30/06 – DAY 2: PARIS

Day 2 in Paris is a “free day” with an option to have a Parisian Dinner that evening and a chance to go to the Nouvelle Eve for the Cabaret.

01/07 – DAY 3: PARIS TO BEAUJOLAIS WINE REGION

Tonight includes a “special stopover” at Contiki’s French Château (Chateau de Cruix) along with wine tasting. We get to see the Château Fontainebleau as well as the Chablis, Burgundy & Beaujolais vineyards.

02/07 – DAY 4: BEAUJOLAIS WINE REGION TO FRENCH RIVIERA

Today we see the PapalPalace in Avignon. We get to visit a French perfumery and also take a scenic drive along the Côte d’Azur on the way to Antibes.

03/07 – DAY 5: FRENCH RIVIERA

Today we get the chance to explore the neighbouring towns of the French Riviera. We also get to see the RoyalPalace in Monaco and a visit a Monte Carlo casino.

04/07 – DAY 6: FRENCH RIVIERA TO FLORENCE

On our way to Florence today we get to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Tonight there is a chance to have a “Tuscan meal” with the whole group.

05/07 – DAY 7: FLORENCE TO ROME

Day 7 is a very busy day! There is a chance to discover the Statue of David, Ponte Vecchio, the MediciPalace and more on locally guided walking tour of Florence. We will also get the chance to see the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s BellTower, the Baptistry & Piazza della Signoria, after which we will learn about Florence’s leather craft with a demonstration. We also take our group photo today!

Then it’s off to Rome – starting with a special access Rome sightseeing coach tour where we will see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon & Piazza Navona as well as St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City.

06/07 – DAY 8: ROME

Today we have a free day to explore Rome. We have the options of going on a Vatican tour, as well as an “Imperial Tour” where we visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

07/07 – DAY 9: ROME TO VENICE

Once in Venice we get a private boat through the canals and islands of Venice and we will see the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Square. There is also the option to do a walking tour and go on a Gondola ride.

08/07 – DAY 10: VENICE TO MUNICH

We take a scenic drive past vineyards, orchards & castles on the way to Munich and also get to see the Glockenspiel & Marienplatz. We can then go on a city bike tour of Munich. Also hoping to find time for a beer hall today!

09/07 – DAY 11: MUNICH TO RHINE VALLEY

On day 11 we visit the Dachau concentration camp memorial. We will also see the Lorelei Rock and learn how beer steins are crafted. There is an option for wine tasting too!

10/07 – DAY 12: RHINEVALLEY TO AMSTERDAM

Today we see the canals & a windmill on a countryside bike tour in Edam where we also visit a cheese farm & a clog maker’s house. We will also get to see Amsterdam’s canals & gable houses by night.

11/07 – DAY 13: AMSTERDAM

Day 13 is a free day to explore Amsterdam. I hope to get a chance to go to the “Anne Frank Huis”. We can go on a canal bike tour and tonight we have the option of a canal cruise and dinner at the Sea Palace Restaurant.

12/07 – DAY 14: AMSTERDAM TO LONDON

Today we return to London after what I’m sure will be an incredible trip!

13/07-17/07 – London town again, until my flight leaves.

18/07 – Land back home, and bore everyone I know with countless retelling of my stories! Make an album and video to remember my holiday!

Full details of the tour are available at http://www.contiki.com/destinations/europe/tours/117-european-highlights