Join forces in London & get to know the wolf pack you're about to take on Europe with. We'll hit the road this morning and make tracks for two weeks of adventure. Shortly before we find our ferry for France, we'll be taking in the English coastline beauty of the White Cliffs of Dover. They owe their gorgeousness to their composition of chalk - you're learning and we haven't even left the UK! Off the ferry we arrive in the port town of Calais - French soil! We will travel via World War I battlefields in the Valley of the Somme, before reaching... Paris! Pop the champagne, dial up the romance, & pass the escargot - we're in Paris, baby! Don't waste a second unpacking, dinner’s calling, and after that, we're going to hit the streets and see how this city comes alive by night.
Today's the day to stroll the beautiful streets of Paris, with plenty of time to lust over designer haute couture or French vintage stores, admire the Notre Dame Cathedral, discover a French perfumery, or get artsy at the many museums of the Louvre. Tonight, foodies will have the chance to eat a Parisian feast in Montmartre, surrounded by cobbled lanes, village-esque cafes, street artists and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Otherwise, this is your night to sign up for an iconic Parisian cabaret show. Either option will give you the perfect way to make it one to remember!
Out with the city life, in with the fresh mountain air. On leaving Paris we’ll coast through the pretty wine producing region of Burgundy before crossing the border to Switzerland. With magical views unfolding outside our windows we'll find ourselves in Switzerland, ready for two nights surrounded by the Swiss mountains. We'll settle in tonight with an included dinner and perhaps take a stroll around town to really take in the beautiful landscape.
Open the window of your room and drink in the incredible view. Welcome to lush green Lauterbrunnen! Feeling extra adventurous? You have the option to visit the picture-perfect Jungfrau mountain, aka ‘the Top of the World’. Next up, you can choose to do an epic canyon swing in the mountains, or head back into town to enjoy some ground-level scenery. Afterwards, you can join us for an included dinner back at our hostel.
It’s been sweet, but we’re swapping Switzerland for Italy today.The dome of Duomo Cathedral sits above the city making certain we know we have arrived in Florence. Tonight you can choose to begin your Tuscan love affair at a Free Time Add-On dinner - think crostini, bistecca alla fiorentina, pasta & Chianti wine.
This morning you'll have free time to roam. We'll uncover the beautiful art of traditional leather & explore streets bursting with heritage before eventually hitting the road for Rome. And you thought your morning was interesting! The afternoon will really take it up a notch as we uncover Italian icons in the country's capital of Rome as you get a glimpse of its glory by night. Gelato, pizza and ancient monuments - perfecto!
Rise and shine, Rome awaits us! Today will be a whirlwind of Roman architecture and bucket list sights as we uncover all of Rome’s key features. There’s also the option to head back in time and discover Rome of the Emperors and Gladiators. Just remember to keep some space in your tummy - you wouldn’t wanna miss out on the chance to make & eat pasta in Rome.
We may be hitting the road again, but we're not done with Italy just yet. We have one more city to lust over... Venice is yours for this glorious Italian afternoon. 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 is up for grabs, or you can discover Venice with a guided food tour, both totally optional. Or simply choose to get lost on your own and see where the maze takes you.
Confident we have ticked off all the Italian essentials, we can now leg it to Germany. After all the sophistication and glamour of France and Italy, a few beers and the chance to wear Bavarian suspenders will be precisely what we feel like. Bavarian culture, a famous Glockenspiel and charm aplenty; Munich doesn't just turn it on during Oktoberfest! Explore peaceful gardens and legendary beer halls or join in the bike tour and explore the side streets you wouldn't usually see.
Today it’s goodbye Munich, hello wine country. But first, we have an important stop to make. Journeying out of Munich, we'll make a stop at Dachau for a sobering visit to the Dachau concentration camp memorial. You'll be able to spend some time here to learn and reflect, before we head on to the Rhine Valley. After the scenic journey of fairytale castles, vineyards and valleys, you'll be charmed before we even arrive in Germany's famous Rhine Valley. We’ll enjoy an included dinner here, and you’ll have the chance to take up an offer of wine tasting for the evening.
This morning we'll drag you all away from Germany kicking and screaming that you want to stay forever. Only to see you equally infatuated with another dot on the European map hours later... You know the cheese, and now you're going to know the place that pioneered it. We’ll cycle through the countryside, taking in the windmills of Edam, before visiting a local cheese farm to see how Dutch cheese (and clogs!) are made. Pretty canals lined with quaint crooked houses and cafes bursting with life. Amsterdam is all that and way more than what you could ever imagine. Tonight, we'll kick things off with an included group dinner, then you've got the chance to take on the A'DAM Lookout swing, an incredible observation deck with unrivalled panoramas of the twisting canals below.
It's our last full day on trip & our last night to party up a storm with the squad. Use the day to explore quirky museums & sample the endless array of cuisines this city has on offer. This evening, opt in to enjoy a delicious dinner with your Contiki fam at a Dutch farm followed by a cruise along the canals.
Down your breakfast and wipe away your tears - this is always the worst day of the trip. We'll escort you to Schiphol Airport by about 10am for those leaving us in the canal lined city. For those not leaving us until London, we'll travel south through Belgium, then cross into France to Calais. We'll make our way back to London-town, where you'll be left to start dreaming up your next big adventure. This concludes your 13-day trip to Europe. What a journey! Say a fond farewell to the group as you wrap up the trip on arrival in London.
