Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Amsterdam
Your Contiki crew gathers in London before boarding the coach for this European journey. You'll travel through Dover to see the White Cliffs, then cross the English Channel by ferry to Calais. From there, the route goes through Belgium, and you'll arrive in Amsterdam by evening. Start getting familiar with the city's canal system, bicycles, and those beautiful 17th-century buildings lit up at night.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Coach travel from London through Dover to Calais
- Ferry crossing from Dover to Calais
- Evening exploration of Amsterdam's canals and historic city center
Landmarks/POIs White Cliffs of Dover - Day 2
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is yours to explore at your own pace today. Bar hop through neighborhoods, check out museums, try local pancakes and frites, or sit in one of the unique cafés and watch people pass by. Later this evening, there's an option to join the group for dinner with your Contiki crew if you want some company.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Dinner with Contiki group this evening
- Visit STRAAT (Amsterdam street art and graffiti museum featuring artworks from over 180 global artists)
Landmarks/POIs STRAAT (Amsterdam Street Art Museum) - Day 3
Amsterdam to Berlin
Leave Amsterdam and drive to Berlin via the autobahn, which takes most of the day. You'll have two nights here, so settle in and get ready. Start with a city orientation tour that covers the main historical sites, then you've got free time to wander Berlin's hidden cafés, shops, and cultural spots on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach travel to Berlin
- City orientation tour covering key historical sites
Landmarks/POIs Holocaust Memorial - Day 4
Berlin
Take an alternative Berlin walking tour today that goes through the city's hipster neighborhoods and historical areas. You'll see Checkpoint Charlie and explore the side streets where smaller attractions and street art are tucked away. It's a different angle on the city than the standard tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Alternative Berlin walking tour covering hipster haunts and historical hotspots
- Visit Tiergarten
- Visit Alexanderplatz
- Visit Russian War Memorial
- Visit Brandenburg Gate
- Visit historic Reichstag building
- Visit East Side Gallery (longest open-air gallery in the world)
Optional Activities
- Further exploration of Checkpoint Charlie and Berlin's museums
Landmarks/POIs Checkpoint Charlie Brandenburg Gate Reichstag Tiergarten Alexanderplatz Russian War Memorial East Side Gallery - Day 5
Berlin to Prague
Drive out of Berlin toward Prague with a stop in Dresden along the way. There you'll see the rebuilt Baroque architecture and landmarks like the Frauenkirche, Opera House, and Royal Residence. Later, you arrive in Prague to walk through its castles, cathedrals, and Gothic history. Tonight, there's an optional experience with Czech culture, live music, traditional dancing, and dinner if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Coach travel from Berlin to Prague via Dresden
- Stop in Dresden to view Baroque architecture, Frauenkirche, Opera House, and Royal Residence
- Exploration of Prague's castles and cathedrals
Optional Activities
- Live music performance and traditional dancing dinner with Czech culture experience
Landmarks/POIs Frauenkirche Zwinger Palace - Day 6
Prague
Spend the full day exploring Prague's Gothic architecture, browsing the market for antiques, and learning about the local beer culture. This afternoon, a boat tour takes you through the city so you can see the main sights and sounds from the water, which gives you a different perspective on the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat tour of Prague showcasing sights and sounds of the city
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Gothic architecture
- Visit to markets for antiques and local shopping
- Beer tasting and café experiences
Landmarks/POIs Prague Castle Castle District - Day 7
Prague to Salzburg
Leave Prague and head to Salzburg in the Austrian Alps, the city famous for the Sound of Music. Visit Hohensalzburg, which is Europe's largest preserved fortress, and take in the sights and sounds of Salzburg itself. Tonight, you have the option to visit a local farming family in the surrounding hills for a traditional home-cooked meal and cultural experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach travel to Salzburg
- Visit to Hohensalzburg fortress
- Sights and Sounds tour of Salzburg
Optional Activities
- Evening visit to local farming family in hills above Salzburg for dinner and cultural experience
Landmarks/POIs Hohensalzburg Fortress - Day 8
Salzburg to Venice
Cross into Italy and travel through the Central Austrian Alps to Venice, taking in mountain scenery along the way. You'll arrive at this unique floating city and enjoy a private canal boat ride to get your bearings. After that, walk through the hidden lanes and see the storybook bridges that make Venice so different.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach travel through Central Austrian Alps
- Private canal boat ride in Venice
Landmarks/POIs Grand Canal - Day 9
Venice to Rome
Leave Venice and head toward Rome with a stop at Casale Polegri vineyard in Baschi. You'll tour the vineyard and olive orchards, then have an authentic Italian lunch under the veranda with homemade wine while overlooking the Tiber Valley. From there, continue to Rome and spend your evening exploring the city's iconic landmarks lit up at night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Italian lunch at Casale Polegri including bruschetta with homemade extra virgin olive oil, focaccia bread with homegrown rosemary and vegetables, risotto or pasta, homemade wine, and dessert)
Included Activities
- Visit to Casale Polegri vineyard and olive orchard in Baschi with family tour
- Lunch at Casale Polegri including bruschetta with homemade extra virgin olive oil, focaccia bread with rosemary, risotto or pasta, homemade wine, and dessert
- Coach travel to Rome
- Evening exploration of Rome's ancient icons and monuments
Landmarks/POIs Casale Polegri - Day 10
Rome
Get up early and make the most of Rome during daylight hours. Walk through ancient streets, see the Colosseum, throw coins in fountains, and sit down with espresso to watch Italian life happen around you. Find your own path through the city and discover corners that appeal to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Rome's landmarks and monuments
- Visit to Colosseum
- Fountain visits and café experiences
Landmarks/POIs Colosseum - Day 11
Rome to Florence
Travel from Rome to Florence, where the Duomo Cathedral dominates the skyline. Explore this city where culture and the good life are woven into everything. This evening, there's an optional walking tour followed by a Florentine steak dinner if you want to experience the local dining scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach travel to Florence
- Exploration of Florence's landmarks including the Duomo Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Florence
- Bistecca (Florentine steak) dinner
Landmarks/POIs Florence Cathedral (Duomo) - Day 12
Florence to Cinque Terre to Parma
Leave Florence and drive to Pisa for a quick stop to photograph the famous Leaning Tower. Then continue to Cinque Terre, the clifftop village set on the Ligurian Sea with five colorful hamlets. Your day pass lets you explore the villages and hiking trails, and you'll have time for an Aperol Spritz with the scenery as your backdrop. Later, head to Parma for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach travel to Pisa
- Visit to Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Coach travel to Cinque Terre
- Cinque Terre National Park rail pass for exploring the five villages
- Optional hiking along clifftop trails
Optional Activities
- Aperol Spritz and local refreshments in Cinque Terre
Landmarks/POIs Leaning Tower of Pisa Cinque Terre - Day 13
Parma to Lucerne
Leave Parma and travel to Lucerne in the Swiss Alps. By the time you arrive this lakeside city, you'll see swans floating under wooden bridges with snow-capped mountains in the distance. The setting feels like something from a postcard, and you'll have time to walk around and get oriented.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach travel to Lucerne
- Visit to Wooden Chapel Bridge
- Visit to Lion Monument
Landmarks/POIs Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) Lion Monument - Day 14
Lucerne to Paris
Leave Lucerne and travel to Paris, crossing back into France from Switzerland. You'll arrive in the City of Lights this evening and see iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower lit up at night. Your Trip Manager will share the city's secrets as the group celebrates your first night in Paris.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Coach travel to Paris
- Evening exploration of Paris including views of Eiffel Tower and landmarks
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower Arc de Triomphe - Day 15
Paris
Your last full day in Paris. Wander the Champs-Élysées to grab macarons, browse high fashion on rue Saint-Honoré, admire Notre-Dame Cathedral, enjoy coffee and crêpes, or visit the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa. Tonight, there's an option to get tickets for a cabaret show to finish your Paris experience on a high note.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Paris landmarks and attractions
- Visit to Champs-Élysées
- Visit to Louvre
- Visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Fragrance workshop at a Parisian perfume house
Optional Activities
- Cabaret show this evening
Landmarks/POIs Louvre Notre-Dame Cathedral Champs-Élysées - Day 16
Paris to London
Enjoy your final morning in Paris over coffee and a croissant with the group. Take time to reflect on the journey and the memories you've made. Then depart with a complimentary coach transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport, or stay on the coach for the full ride back to London to keep celebrating with the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Final morning in Paris
- Complimentary coach transfer to CDG Airport
Optional Activities
- Full coach ride back to London instead of departing at CDG Airport
