EUROPEAN ESCAPADE (STANDARD)

London:

• Welcome to the first day of the best trip of your life – we’re calling it early! After a few pleasantries in London we’ll get the show on the road with Paris in our sights.

Via Dover:

• A few hours in and your jaws are on the floor already. These chalk cliffs that edge the English coastline are known as the White Cliffs of Dover, the first of many natural beauties we’ll see on our trip.

Via Calais:

• After we ferry across the English Channel for France we’ll arrive in Calais, where we will take in the history of World War I battlefields in the Valley of the Somme.

Paris:

• We’ll kick off our trip as we arrive in the glittering city of love, Paris. It’s straight down to business with a tour of the city lit up by those famous lights. Then, we’ll bond with our Contiki fam with a delicious included dinner. The French are proud of their culinary culture for a reason.

A conveniently located hostel

Included Meals: Dinner

Included Experience:

• Marvel at the White Cliffs of Dover
• Take a Tour of Paris

Paris:

• 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, order coffee and crêpes, 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!

A conveniently located hostel

Included Meals: Breakfast

Additional Cost Applies:

• Parisian Dinner
• See a Paris Cabaret Show

Paris:

• 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.

Swiss Alps:

• With magical views unfolding outside our windows we’ll find ourselves in Switzerland, ready for two nights at our accommodation in the heart of this traditional resort town. This place comes to life as the sun sets, so tonight we’ll have a chance to load up on Swiss chocolate, and walk around town admiring the stunning landscape.

Schützenbach (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Swiss Alps:

• Open the window of your room and drink in the incredible view. Today you’re free to explore this classic European adventure town. Feeling extra adventurous? Today is your chance to ascend Jungfrau mountain, aka ‘the Top of the World’.

Schützenbach (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Additional Cost Applies:

• Jungfrau Mountain
• Jungfrau Mountain and Canyon Swing

Swiss Alps:

• It’s been sweet, but we’re swapping Switzerland back for France again this morning.

Via Geneva:

• But first, there’s just time for one last breath of fresh mountain air. A quick lunch break in the home of the UN’s headquarters and a view of that oh so famous water fountain. Grab a bite to eat and a last mouthful of delish swiss chocolate (try saying that three times fast) and then we’ll be on our way.

Beaujolais Wine Region:

• Rolling into the Beaujolais region of France amidst vineyards, we’ll arrive at Contiki’s very own 16th century château. This might just be our most decadent accommodation yet, complete with newly-renovated bedrooms & bathrooms, an on-site nightclub, artwork in every room, a games room, and a powder room for makeup and hair. And we haven’t even shown you the pool or the gardens yet! Tonight we’ll start off with an included dinner and wine tasting here at the château, because, when in France…

  Please note: On occasion, certain departures will be moved from Contiki’s Château de Cruix to the French gastronomic capital of Lyon (a title which ain’t given lightly, believe us!) We’ll get the party started with an included meal at a local restaurant, accompanied by local wine.

Château de Cruix (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Included Experience:

• Taste Wine at the Château

Beaujolais Wine Region:

• Bye-bye Beaujolais! And hello Barcelona. The Pyrénées mountains will keep our eyes satisfied today as we roll across the border for Spain’s most lively city. Each day as sweet as the last.

Barcelona:

• Well would you look at that for timing, we’ve pulled into Barcelona just on sangria o’clock. Fate, you’ve done it again! Tapas and a night exploring the city should have us in the Spanish mood before we know it.

Generator Barcelona (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Included Experience:

• See the Sagrada Familia

Barcelona:

• Cobbled lanes of the Gothic Quarter, Montjuic hilltop vistas, & wild Spanish architecture will season our day to perfection. There’s plenty of free time to roam free or take a dip in the Mediterranean sea, just don’t tire yourself out – chances are you’ll want to partake in the evening of Flamenco fun.

Generator Barcelona (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Included Experience:

• Take a Gothic Walking Tour

Additional Experience:

• See a Flamenco Show with Tapas & Drinks

Barcelona:

• As smitten as we are by Barcelona, we have more of Europe to conquer. Much, much more…

Via Arles:

• After a dreamy drive across the border into France through landscapes of lavender, sunflowers and wild herbs, we’ll arrive at our lunch break town of Arles. Here we will get a peek at an ancient Roman Arena and at a typical provincial French town.

French Riviera:

• You’re not a real celebrity until you’ve frolicked on the French Riviera, and who are we to keep you off the A-List? Sapphire waters & endless glamour as we roll through this glitzy coastline.

Villa Saint Exupery Beach (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Included Experience:

• Visit Arles

French Riviera:

• This morning we’ll take in the crystal blue waters of the Riviera, cobble stone streets and charming markets! Later we take a scenic drive along the Côte d’Azur shows us everything we want to know about the French Riviera, as we make our way to the heart of it all, Monaco.

Via Monaco City:

• It wouldn’t be a true visit to Monaco without seeing the Royal Palace and the Monte Carlo casino, and that’s exactly what we’ll look for first. Then, what better place to spend your last night in France? You have a free evening to don your glad rags, spritz on some of your new perfume & rub shoulders with the high rollers, before it’s back along the coast tonight.

French Riviera:

• Monaco, you’ve been a real winner today. Winding our way back along the Côte d’Azur, we’ll say goodbye to the flash pack and set our sights for bed.

Villa Saint Exupery Beach (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Included Experience:

• Drive along the Côte d’Azur
• Get to Know Glitzy Monaco

Additional Cost Applies:

• Take a ‘Nice’ Bike Ride

French Riviera:

• After almost a week in France you’ll be full to the brim with all things French and ready for new ground. Italy, perhaps?

Via Pisa:

• No trip around Europe is complete without seeing the world’s most famous #AwkwardLean, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Once you’ve got that perfect snap of you holding the thing up like you’re Arnold Schwarzenegger, we’ll be on the fast-track to Florence.

Florence:

• Dancing and dinner in Tuscany. Is that the Duomo Cathedral we see, looming large over the pretty city? Now you know you’re in Florence. Tonight we’ll start our Italian adventure with an optional Tuscan feast (yum), then afterwards we’re off for a night out with dancing aplenty.

The Yellow (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Included Experience:

• Visit Pisa (for that Epic Selfie)

Additional Cost Applies:

• Tuscan Dinner

Florence:

• Today will be split nicely between two of Italy’s best cities, with Rome on our afternoon to-do list. First up is frolicking around Florence this morning, with our local guide taking us behind the scenes & revealing the city’s cultural beginnings followed by a leather craft demonstration, part of Florence’s artisan history.

Rome:

• After a journey of romantic views past cypress trees and olive groves, we’ll arrive in the Eternal City of Rome. Wasting no time uncovering the city, we’ll take a tour of some of the biggest Italian icons, with famous sights and photo stops include the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on those other timeless classics – pizza, pasta and Italian gelato.

The Yellow (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Included Experience:

• Tour Rome on Foot

Additional Cost Applies:

• Welcome to Florence Walking Tour

Rome:

• You could explore one of the world’s greatest icons this morning, and walk in the footsteps of gladiators, it’s hard to believe these sights still exist, and when in Rome of course! If an unveiling of the Colosseum isn’t your jam, make the day your own and do all the quintessential Italian things, like sipping endless espressos while the world rides by on Vespa. We recommend heading to the Trastevere for the ultimate people watching, over a steaming bowl of carbonara in its true home, flanked by a caprese salad of fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and basil.

The Yellow (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Additional Cost Applies:

• Emperors & Gladiators inc Colosseum

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:

• Kudos to the cats of decades gone who constructed this lagoon fairytale. Boats, bridges, gondolas; your heart is going to pound. Start off this evening with an optional walking tour that not only shows you the sights but also finishes with traditional Venetian cicchetti, washed down with an aperitivo.

Anda Venice Hostel (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Additional Cost Applies:

• Gooses T-Shirts

Venice:

• Wake-up sleeping beauties! Venice is yours for the entirety of this glorious Italian day. We’ll be jumping aboard our own private boat and hitting the canals en route to the historical heart of the city. You have the chance to become truly Venetian with a gondola ride up for grabs, or you can always choose to get lost on your own and see where the maze takes you.

Anda Venice Hostel (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Included Experience:

• Cruise on a Motoscafo to Venice
• See canals and gondolas

Additional Cost Applies:

• Gondolas
• Burano Island Cruise & Dinner

Venice:

• Arrivederci, Venice! You’ve been splendid. We’re back on the road through the Dolomite Mountains en route to find lands fit for the Sound of Music.

Hopfgarten im Brixental:

• Onwards, upwards & seeing the world with more grateful eyes than ever before, we’ll settle back on the road and soon arrive in the breathtaking Austrian Tyrol. We’ll be welcomed with open arms to Contiki’s very own Austrian Gasthof (guesthouse), but before we settle in, we’ll get outside and explore the dreamy setting we’ll call home for the next two nights. Tonight is a welcome evening & tomorrow we’ll get into the swing of things with some of the adventure activities this town is famous for.

Contiki Haus Schoneck (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Additional Cost Applies:

• Austrian White Water Rafting

Hopfgarten im Brixental:

• Wake up, peel open your curtains, and take in the magnificence of your view. If you’re feeling lively you can jump onto a bike tour through green mountains and waterfalls. If you’re feeling really lively you can go tandem paragliding. Not so lively? Stroll around and take in the incredible setting; drink endless hot chocolate, go up a mountain in a gondola or relax at our Gasthof.

Contiki Haus Schoneck (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Additional Cost Applies:

• Bike Ride & BBQ
• Austrian Paragliding

Hopfgarten im Brixental:

• Farewell life in the blissful Austrian Alps, but don’t give up on your Sound of Music image just yet. We’ll leave Austria this morning in search of lands that prove the setting still exists.

Via Dachau:

• This morning we’ll feel worlds away as we journey to the medieval town of Dachau near the German border, for a visit back into Europe’s history. Here in Dachau we’ll take a sobering but eye-opening visit to Dachau Concentration Camp memorial. Once the original working ‘camp’, this memorial house the stories of a generation never to be forgotten.

Munich:

• 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, starting out with a city tour and a visit to a beer hall.

Bento Inn Munich Messe (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Included Experience:

• Clink your Steins at a Beer Hall

Additional Cost Applies:

• Mike’s Bike Tour

Munich:

• We’ll say farewell to Munich and continue our journey to Prague. The capital of the Czech Republic is fast becoming one of the hottest spots on the European map, and today you find out why…

Prague:

• We start with a walking tour of the ancient streets, starting in the Castle District and passing by St Vitus Cathedral. Later this evening we’ll head into the Old Town to see the famous Charles Bridge and astronomical clock. Tonight join us for an authentic Czech evening complete with dumplings, goulash, and plenty of local beer.

Plus Prague (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Included Experience:

• Tour Prague on foot

Additional Cost Applies:

• Traditional Czech Evening

Prague:

• Wake up and explore a UNESCO World Heritage city that’s begging you to come out to play. Roam pretty lanes and romantic courtyards, admiring the colourful baroque buildings and Gothic churches. You can take a walking food tour if you get a little hungry!

Plus Prague (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Additional Cost Applies:

• Prague Food Walking Tour

Prague:

• Pack your bags and say your sincere thanks to the Czech Republic for being such a lovely host. As promised, we’re heading back to Germany for a bout in Berlin.

Via Dresden:

• A drive from Prague to Berlin would not be complete without stopping in Dresden. Destroyed by World War II, the rebuilt town is now a symbol of resilience, soaked in the rebirthed beauty of an Opera house, the domed Frauenkirche, & the Royal Residence.

Berlin:

• On the world map of party vibes, Berlin has a gold star. We’ve got two nights to explore every inch of this iconic city and we’ll kick it off with a tour to learn about its troubled but fascinating past. Once we’ve gotten acquainted with the key sites, we’ll enjoy an included dinner together, ready for more exploring tomorrow.

Generator Alexanderplatz (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Included Experience:

• Tour Berlin

Berlin:

• Leap out of bed knowing Berlin is ready and waiting to be explored. You can opt to discover Berlin’s restless past on a historical walking tour including Checkpoint Charlie and the site of Hitler’s bunker. Or choose an alternative walking tour to see the street art and counter-culture that tourists often miss. The nightlife is also yours for the taking, so this is your chance to scope out some of the underground raves or cocktail-lounge-in-the-basement scenarios that make this city a world famous party spot.

Generator Alexanderplatz (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Included Experience:

• Browse East Side Gallery

Additional Cost Applies:

• Historical Walking Tour
• Alternative Berlin

Berlin:

• We’ll journey out of Germany today and travel through the gloriously flat Netherlands with Amsterdam in our sights.

Amsterdam:

• You can start your exploration of this city with an included dinner followed by an optional trip up the A’DAM tower where (if you’re brave enough to keep your eyes open) you’ll be treated to unparalleled views aboard ‘Over the Edge’, Europe’s highest swing. Later, the fun doesn’t stop, knowing there’s plenty of nightlife to keep you going until the early hours.

Via Hostel Amsterdam (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Additional Cost Applies:

• Have a Go on Amsterdam’s Highest Swing

Amsterdam:

• Opportunities in Amsterdam are infinite & the day is yours to explore one of the world’s most unique cities. The final night on trip together culminates with a chance to join a farewell dinner at the beautiful fishing village of Volendam & an opportunity to cruise the famous canals and revel under the city lights.

Via Hostel Amsterdam (or similar)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Additional Cost Applies:

• Clogs, Edam and Dinner Experience MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
• Highlights of Amsterdam Canal Cruise

Amsterdam: