Day thirteen of Contiki! Our first night in Rome was a walk-about dinner, where Mal, Keeks, Jay, Dylan and I went to a lovely restaurant in the city to enjoy a three course meal of bruschetta, pasta and profiteroles. The next day was a day of history and monuments. We spent the morning in Vatican City, sinning in the museum, the Sistine Chapel, St Peters Bascillica, and the Vatican Square. The paintings, sculptures, tapestry and architecture were breathtaking...

Day twelve of Contiki! The longest driving day we've had. After a big night at an incredible Florentine nightclub, we were up by six and on the road by seven thirty. A morning of driving later and we were in the spectacular ruins of Pompeii. The history of Pompeii was fascinating, and our tour guide walked us through the ruins of a once prosperous merchant town on the coast of Italy, and told us of how the occupants of Pompeii had been killed by volumes of su...

Night ten and day eleven of Contiki! Arriving with time to spare, we were actually allowed time to get ready this night, and after another extensive Italian feast, we made our way down to the "Red Garter", where two litres of cocktail were only 27€ and the karaoke was just as free flowing. Sadly, our night was ended prematurely by drunk-hoeism, and damaged karaoke technology. There was much fun and dancing, however, and Florence did impress us. The following ...

Day ten of Contiki! Another coach day, which, in my state resultant from the previous night, was long, nauseous, and exhausting. We stopped, at midday, in Pisa, to visit the leaning tower and do all things touristy to it. Pisa itself is not an inspiring place, it's hot, dusty and dirty, with a scheming gypsy community and exhausted population. Some buildings we walked past were like that of saloons, reminding me of d Western movies, or a dirty Mexico. After ...

Day nine of Contiki! The ferry trip from our hotel to Venice was punishment enough for those who had visited the pub the night before- Dylan not even making it beyond the hotel foyer. A walking tour of the city introduced us to the major landmarks, St Marks Square, the Bridge of Sighs and the great canal. Post-tour, Katelyn, Bec and I wandered the streets of Venice: shopping, sight seeing, and eating such copious amounts of gelato that Fat Katie shifted in her...