Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Amsterdam
You'll meet your Contiki group in London and board the coach for your first European adventure. The route takes you to Dover where you'll catch the ferry across the Channel, giving you views of the iconic White Cliffs along the way. After crossing into France, you'll arrive in Calais and then head through Belgium toward Amsterdam. By evening, you'll be walking through the city's famous canal-lined streets with their 17th-century gable houses lit up against the night sky.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs White Cliffs of Dover - Day 2
Amsterdam
This is your full day to explore Amsterdam on your own schedule. You can wander the canals, check out some of the smaller museums, or just hang out in the cafes and soak in the local atmosphere. Bar hopping and museum crawling are both on the menu if you're into it, plus you'll want to try local pancakes and frites. Later that evening, there's an optional group dinner with your crew if you'd rather not go solo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Dinner with Contiki group
- Visit STRAAT - Amsterdam's street art and graffiti museum featuring artworks from over 180 global artists
- Day 3
Amsterdam to Berlin
After leaving Amsterdam, the coach heads south toward Berlin where you'll spend two nights. Once you arrive, you'll start with a guided city tour that covers key landmarks and takes you through Berlin's complex history, including the Holocaust Memorial and other significant sites. After the tour wraps up, your time is free to wander through the city's hidden cafes, side streets, and local shops at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Berlin including Holocaust Memorial and key historic sites
Landmarks/POIs Brandenburg Gate Reichstag Holocaust Memorial Tiergarten Alexanderplatz Russian War Memorial - Day 4
Berlin
You'll join an Alternative Berlin walking tour today that focuses on the city's hipster neighborhoods and historical spots. The tour covers everything from well-known places like Checkpoint Charlie to small hidden gems tucked away in back alleys and side streets. It's a good chance to really get a feel for Berlin's culture and what makes the city tick.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Alternative Berlin walking tour including Checkpoint Charlie and hipster haunts
Landmarks/POIs Checkpoint Charlie East Side Gallery - Day 5
Berlin to Prague
The coach heads south from Berlin, and your first stop is Dresden, where you'll see how the city rebuilt itself after World War II. You'll check out the stunning Opera House, the domed Frauenkirche, and the Royal Residence before continuing on to Prague. Once you arrive in the Czech capital, you'll start exploring this compact city with its castles, cathedrals, and Gothic architecture. There's an optional evening experience featuring live music, traditional dancing, and dinner if you want to dive into Czech culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Dresden tour including Opera House, Frauenkirche, and Royal Residence
- Prague exploration including castles, cathedrals, and city sights
Optional Activities
- Live music performance with traditional dancing and dinner
Landmarks/POIs Frauenkirche Zwinger Palace Royal Residence, Dresden - Day 6
Prague
You have the full day to explore Prague at your own pace. Walk through the Gothic streets, browse antique markets, and grab local beer while you're at it. You'll have plenty of time to fill your camera with photos and get a real sense of the city's character. If you prefer something more structured, there's an optional food tour available that takes you to some of the best places to eat around town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Food tour showcasing the best dining spots in Prague
Landmarks/POIs Prague Castle District - Day 7
Prague to Salzburg
Leaving Prague, you'll travel through the mountain ranges that inspired The Sound of Music. You'll visit Hohensalzburg, which is Central Europe's largest preserved fortress, and take in the sights and sounds of Salzburg. As evening comes, there's an optional experience where a local farming family invites you into their home in the hills above the city. You'll share a meal, drink homemade beverages, and hear about their lives and multi-generational farm.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Hohensalzburg fortress
- Sights & Sounds of Salzburg tour
Optional Activities
- Farm family dinner experience - visit a family farm in the hills above Salzburg for traditional food, drinks, and cultural exchange
Landmarks/POIs Hohensalzburg - Day 8
Salzburg to Venice
From Salzburg, you'll cross the border from Austria into Italy, traveling through the Central Austrian Alps. You'll arrive in Venice and step into this unique floating city with its hidden lanes, bridges, and canals. The day includes a private canal boat ride so you can truly experience this island where cars don't exist, only waterways.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Private canal boat ride in Venice
Landmarks/POIs Venice - Day 9
Venice to Rome
You're leaving Venice and heading toward Rome, but first there's a special stop at Casale Polegri near Baschi. This family-run vineyard and olive orchard is where you'll tour the grounds and then sit down for lunch under the veranda. The meal features authentic Italian food and the family's own wine, with views out over the Tiber Valley. After lunch, you'll continue to Rome to explore iconic sights as evening falls, stopping for gelato and pizza along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Casale Polegri lunch featuring bruschetta topped with homemade extra virgin olive oil, focaccia bread with homegrown rosemary and vegetables, risotto or pasta, homemade wine, and dessert)
Included Activities
- Casale Polegri vineyard and olive orchard tour
- Included lunch at Casale Polegri featuring bruschetta with homemade extra virgin olive oil, focaccia bread with rosemary, risotto or pasta, and homemade wine
Landmarks/POIs Casale Polegri - Day 10
Rome
Get an early start to make the most of Rome. You'll explore the city on your own, discovering both the ancient monuments and how locals actually live. Snap a photo by the Colosseum with its pink azaleas, toss coins into fountains, and grab espresso at a cafe while watching the city move around you. This is where you'll experience the real character of the Eternal City.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Colosseum Trevi Fountain - Day 11
Rome to Florence
The coach takes you from Rome to Florence, a city dominated by the magnificent dome of the Duomo Cathedral. The journey shows you the unique beauty of this cultural hub where la dolce vita seems to be part of everything. Later that evening, there's an optional Tuscan dinner featuring Bistecca, a traditional Florentine steak that's pretty much a must-try if you're into it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tuscan dinner featuring Bistecca (Florentine Steak)
Landmarks/POIs Duomo Cathedral - Day 12
Florence to Cinque Terre to Parma
Your first stop is the Leaning Tower of Pisa where you'll get that classic photo opportunity. Then you head to Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. You'll use your included day pass to explore all five colorful villages perched on cliffs overlooking the sea. Time for an Aperol Spritz while taking in the colors, the laundry hanging from windows, and the picture-perfect settings. By evening you'll be in Parma for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leaning Tower of Pisa visit
- Cinque Terre rail pass included for exploring the Five Lands villages
Optional Activities
- Hiking around Cinque Terre
Landmarks/POIs Leaning Tower of Pisa Cinque Terre National Park - Day 13
Parma to Lucerne
Leaving Parma behind, you're traveling to Lucerne in the Swiss Alps. You'll find swans gliding under wooden bridges, snow-capped mountains surrounding the city, and chocolate that tastes exceptional. Settle into this beautiful Swiss city and soak in its serene alpine character.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Chapel Bridge Lion Monument - Day 14
Lucerne to Paris
You'll leave Lucerne and head to Paris, crossing the border from Switzerland back into France. Once you arrive in the City of Light, you'll experience the charm of lamp-lit bridges and the sparkling Eiffel Tower. During your first evening, your Trip Manager shares some insider secrets and local knowledge to help you get oriented.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower Arc de Triomphe - Day 15
Paris
This is your last full day in Paris, so you can spend it however you like. Walk up the Champs-Elysees and grab a pastel macaron at the original Laduree, browse high fashion on rue Saint-Honore, sit down with coffee and crepes near Notre-Dame Cathedral, or see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. You can also learn the art of fragrance at a Parisian perfume house. If you want to cap off the trip, there's an optional cabaret show available that evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Fragrance lesson at a Parisian perfume house
- Cabaret show (group evening out)
Landmarks/POIs Louvre Champs-Élysées Notre-Dame Cathedral Rue Saint-Honoré - Day 16
Paris to London
Your final morning arrives with coffee and croissants with your Contiki crew as you reflect on the incredible 16-day journey through Europe. You'll get a complimentary transfer to Charles de Gaulle airport, or you can choose to stay onboard and take the full coach ride back to London. Either way, it's time to say goodbye with memories and friendships that'll stick with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
