Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Amsterdam
Meet up with your Contiki group in London and head out toward Amsterdam. You'll drive through England and make a stop at the White Cliffs of Dover before catching the ferry across the English Channel to Calais, France. From there, it's north through Belgium, and you'll pull into Amsterdam by evening. After dinner's taken care of, you've got the rest of the night to walk around Amsterdam's streets and canals on your own.
- Meals
- Dinner (Included dinner in Amsterdam to help the group bond before exploring the city)
Included Activities
- View the White Cliffs of Dover
- Ferry crossing from England to France
- Travel through Belgium to Amsterdam
- Included dinner in Amsterdam
Landmarks/POIs White Cliffs of Dover - Day 2
Amsterdam
Today's all yours to explore Amsterdam however you like. Wander the cobbled streets, hang out by the canals, check out museums, or just hit up some local cafes. The city's known for Dutch pancakes, frites, cheese, stroopwafels, and really good coffee. There's the STRAAT museum in an old shipyard if you're interested, or you could take an optional trip to Volendam, a fishing village, for dinner. If you want something more relaxed, an optional canal cruise with an onboard bar happens in the evening.
Optional Activities
- Visit STRAAT museum in a former NDSM shipyard
- Dinner in the village of Volendam
- Iconic canal cruise through Amsterdam with onboard bar
Landmarks/POIs STRAAT Museum - Day 3
Amsterdam to Rhine Valley, Germany
This afternoon you'll leave Amsterdam and head to Germany's Rhine Valley. The drive itself is pretty good with views of fairytale castles, vineyards, and valleys along the way. You'll arrive in a charming town known for its wine culture. Later in the evening, there's an optional wine-tasting experience if you want to try some local selections.
Optional Activities
- Wine-tasting experience in the Rhine Valley
Landmarks/POIs Rhine Valley - Day 4
Rhine Valley to Dinkelsbühl, Germany
Head south through Bavaria to Dinkelsbühl, a medieval town that feels like it's frozen in time. You'll travel the 'Romantische Straße' (Romantic Road), which is Germany's most scenic route, passing fairytale castles and nice landscapes. Once there, you can walk the cobblestoned streets, check out the market squares, and see the half-timbered houses. The famous Gothic clock is worth seeing. There's an optional foot tour or bike tour through the side streets if you want to explore more. For the evening, one of the local beer halls is a good option to try some regional beer or pork knuckles and get a feel for traditional Bavarian culture.
Included Activities
- Drive along Romantische Straße (Germany's most scenic route)
- Stroll cobblestoned streets and market squares in Dinkelsbühl
- View half-timbered houses and famous Gothic clock
- Experience traditional Bavarian culture
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour through Dinkelsbühl
- Beer hall visit to try local beer and pork knuckles
Landmarks/POIs Dinkelsbühl - Day 5
Dinkelsbühl to Venice, Italy
Cross the Bavarian Alps heading south, and you'll arrive in Venice, one of Italy's most famous cities. The place is known for fresh pasta, romantic architecture, hidden lanes, and old storybook bridges. You'll get a private speedboat ride through the lagoon, which gives you a real sense of how the city works. There are optional gondola rides and Venetian dinners available if you want to experience more of what makes this floating city special.
Included Activities
- Cross the Bavarian Alps into Italy
- Private Motoscafo speedboat ride across the Venice lagoon
Optional Activities
- Gondola rides
- Venetian dinners
Landmarks/POIs Venice - Day 6
Venice to Rome, Italy
Leave Venice and travel to Rome. On the way, there's a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER visit to Casale Polegri in Baschi where you'll meet the Polegri family who run their vineyard and olive orchard. You'll tour the property and have lunch overlooking the Umbrian landscape with authentic Italian food and their homemade wine included. After that, you'll roll into Rome by evening, where you can grab gelato, pizza, and wander past ancient monuments as the city lights up.
- Meals
- Lunch (Included lunch at Casale Polegri featuring crunchy bruschetta with homemade extra virgin olive oil, focaccia bread with homegrown rosemary and vegetables, risotto or pasta, glass of homemade wine, and dessert)
Included Activities
- Visit Casale Polegri vineyard and olive orchard in Baschi
- Meet the Polegri family and tour their azienda agricola
- Included lunch at Casale Polegri with homemade wine
Landmarks/POIs Casale Polegri Baschi - Day 7
Rome
Start early to check out Rome's ancient sites. Spend the day wandering the streets, throwing coins in fountains, and sipping espresso while watching Italian life go by. There's an optional guided tour of the Colosseum if you want that history explained, or you can join an optional food tour to try authentic Roman cuisine instead.
Included Activities
- Explore Rome at your own pace
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of the Colosseum
- Food tour of Rome
Landmarks/POIs Colosseum - Day 8
Rome to Florence, Italy
Travel from Rome to Florence, where the dome of the Duomo Cathedral really stands out against the skyline. The city is all about culture and that Italian way of living. You'll take a locally guided walking tour that covers the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery, and Piazza della Signoria. Part of the tour includes learning leather working, which is a big part of Florence's tradition. Later, there's an optional Tuscan dinner if you want to start getting a taste for the region's food.
Included Activities
- Locally guided walking tour of Florence
- View the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery, and Piazza della Signoria
- Learn the art of leather working
Optional Activities
- Tuscan dinner
Landmarks/POIs Duomo Cathedral Basilica Santa Croce Giotto's Bell Tower Baptistery Piazza della Signoria - Day 9
Florence to Lucerne, Switzerland
Say goodbye to Italy and cross into Switzerland, a country known for chocolate, cheese, and watches. You'll arrive in Lucerne, which is surrounded by swans and wooden bridges with snowcapped mountains in the background. There's an optional lake cruise if you want to take in the Alpine scenery from the water. The views here are really something special once you get into the Swiss Alps.
Optional Activities
- Lake cruise with Alpine scenery views
Landmarks/POIs Wooden Chapel Bridge Lion Monument - Day 10
Lucerne to Paris, France
This morning you'll leave Lucerne and travel across Switzerland then into France, heading toward Paris. As you travel from the Alpine region toward the city of romance, you'll cross the border and start to see the landscape change. You'll arrive in Paris by evening to see the lamp-lit bridges and a sparkling Eiffel Tower. Your Trip Manager will share some insider tips about the city, and you'll get a chance to climb to the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower for views of the 'City of Light.'
Included Activities
- Travel through Switzerland and France by coach
- Climb to the 56th floor of Montparnasse Tower for views of Paris
Landmarks/POIs Montparnasse Tower - Day 11
Paris
Explore Paris however you like today. Walk the streets, check out the fashion, see Notre-Dame Cathedral while grabbing coffee and crepes, and walk through the Louvre's many rooms. Hit up landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs-Élysées. In the evening, there's an optional cabaret show with dinner if you want to do something special. Make the most of your last night with whatever you want to do, whether that's exploring more or just taking it easy.
Included Activities
- Explore Paris landmarks including Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Champs-Élysées, and Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Learn the art of fragrance at a Parisian perfume house
Optional Activities
- Iconic cabaret show with dinner
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower Arc de Triomphe Louvre Champs-Élysées Notre-Dame Cathedral - Day 12
Paris to London, United Kingdom
Your final morning in Paris starts with coffee and a croissant. Take some time to think back on everything you've seen and done, and the friends you've made with your Contiki group. After that, hop on the coach for a free transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport, or stay on board if you're heading back to London. It's the end of your 12-day European trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Complimentary transfer to CDG Airport or return coach to London
