Your 7-country, 10-day adventure begins here! You'll meet up with your Contiki crew in London and we'll all board our coach here, ready to set off for European soil. Shortly before we find our ferry for Europe, 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! Next we journey to Amsterdam! And here we are at our final stop for this evening: Amsterdam! We'll start our exploration of this city with a peek of canals, bicycles & 17th century gable houses lit up by night. Next on the agenda tonight, we have an optional evening cruise along the canals - the perfect way for our travel crew to get to know each other. Afterwards, there's plenty of nightlife to keep you going until the early hours.
Yes, yes, you could stay here forever, but unfortunately the show must go on. We'll say goodbye Amsterdam, hello wine country. After the scenic journey of fairy tale castles, vineyards and valleys, you'll be charmed before we even arrive in Germany's famous Rhine Valley. This back-in-time town is our wine tasting host for the evening. Squeal!!!
Saying goodbye to the Rhine Valley, we'll head on to Munich – where lederhosen, dirndls, steins of beer and gingerbread-style buildings await. But not before we explore a Bavarian hidden gem! Quintessential German experiences don't get much better than visiting this charming medieval town. We'll stroll the cobblestoned streets, checking out vibrant market squares and picturesque half-timbered houses along the way. "Prost!”. Here in the home of Oktoberfest we'll take a locally guided tour of the city, and amuse ourselves watching the antics of mechanical figurines in the city's famous Glockenspiel. Making the most of our time in Munich this evening, we'll get introduced to 800 years of history and end at a traditional Bavarian beer hall.
'Auf Wiedersehen' Munich, we're off to tick more countries off our list. This morning we'll climb aboard our coach ready for a scenic roll through the Bavarian Alps, past fairytale castles and rambling vineyards, en route to Austria. Drive through Austria without getting out to say hello? Never! We'll pull into Innsbruck for lunch, a laid-back student city made famous by a medieval old town, an old Olympic Ski Jump & a Royal Palace. Quick pitstop for dinner! We'll check out the charming little city of Trento, right in the heart of the oh-so-beautiful Adige Valley. Ah, Venice! Fresh pasta, lilting accents & romantic architecture - we've arrived in one of Italy's most famous cities. Tonight we'll relax here, knowing we have all day tomorrow to cruise canals & explore picturesque cobbled streets.
Buongiorno! Venice is ours for a full and glorious Italian day. We'll start exploring The Floating City by jumping aboard our own private motoscafo boat and cruising the canals en route to the historical heart of the city. Next, you'll have the chance to take a traditional gondola ride, choose to learn how to ride a gondola (taught by literal experts) or discover Venice with a guided food tour.
With a few days left, it's time to say 'ciao' to our time in Venice. We'll never forget you, city of canals and beauty, but Switzerland is calling us. Back on our coach we'll pass Lake Como as we cruise out of Italy and head onwards and upwards toward 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 we'll visit the wooden chapel bridge and lion monument. Our recommendation for tonight? Swiss chocolate. Time to rest your travel-tired limbs for the day after we check into our accommodation for the night. Dream on!
We’ll start early this morning as we treat ourselves to more of the alps. Next stop? Lucerne…There’s no reason why today can’t be wasted strolling the beautiful streets of Lucerne or sitting in a coffee shop pondering mountain life, and consuming more chocolate - that’s perfectly acceptable too. Those wanting to spice up their day can enjoy an (optional) trip to the top of the mountain. Get set for oh-so stunning panoramic views. Spoilt for choice much?Back in our accommodation, you’ll have plenty of things to dream about tonight…
It's been sweet, but our time in the Swiss Alps is up this morning. We're Paris-bound! Out with the altitude, in with the inner-city Parisian bliss. We'll jump back onto our coach to cross the border out of Switzerland and (back) into France. After coasting through the pretty wine producing region of Burgundy, we'll arrive in the City of Lights. Lamp-lit bridges & a sparkling Eiffel Tower, tonight we fall in love with everything Paris. Our Trip Manager fills us in on the city's secrets as we celebrate our first night in the city.
Pastries, paintings, perfume - Paris is yours! We'll take you to the glamorous Fragonard perfumery, then the time is yours to roam tree-lined quarters, see Notre Dame Cathedral, or get arty in the galleries of the Louvre. It's our last night together - make it count with an optional dinner followed by the Moulin Rouge!
Whether you take your complimentary transfer to Paris CDG Airport or central London, it will be sad goodbyes all round this morning as our trip comes to an end.
