Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Paris
You'll begin in London and travel southeast toward the English Channel, getting your first view of the White Cliffs of Dover along the way. After crossing by ferry to Calais, you'll stop in the Valley of the Somme to explore World War I history sites. Later you'll arrive in Paris for a city tour showing off the lights and major sights. The day wraps up with an included dinner where you'll meet the rest of your Contiki group.
- Meals
- Dinner (Included dinner)
Included Activities
- City tour of Paris with famous lights
- Included dinner
Optional Activities
- World War I battlefield exploration in Valley of the Somme
Landmarks/POIs White Cliffs of Dover Eiffel Tower Arc de Triomphe - Day 2
Paris
Paris is yours to explore however you want today. You could wander through neighborhoods, browse designer shops or vintage boutiques, check out Notre Dame Cathedral, grab coffee and crepes at a café, or spend hours in the Louvre. By evening you'll choose between a traditional dinner in Montmartre or catching a cabaret performance, depending on what appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Parisian feast in Montmartre
- Iconic Parisian cabaret show
Landmarks/POIs Notre-Dame Cathedral Louvre Sacré-Cœur Basilica - Day 3
Paris to Switzerland
You'll leave Paris behind and head toward Switzerland, passing through Burgundy's wine region with its rolling vineyards. By afternoon you'll reach a traditional resort town in the Swiss mountains where you're staying. After settling in, the evening is yours to walk around town as the sun sets, try some local Swiss chocolate, and take in the mountain views around you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Swiss chocolate tasting
- Town exploration and sightseeing
- Day 4
Switzerland
You'll wake up to views of the mountains from your room. The day is completely open for you to explore this European resort town at your own pace. If you're looking for something more adventurous, Jungfrau mountain is available as an optional excursion and known as 'the Top of the World' for good reason with its high elevation and views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Jungfrau mountain visit (optional excursion)
Landmarks/POIs Jungfrau - Day 5
Switzerland to Lyon
You're heading back into France toward Lyon, driving through countryside dotted with charming villages. Lyon is known as France's food capital, so you'll have time to walk the Old Town's cobblestone streets and find a local bouchon restaurant serving regional specialties. The area's Beaujolais wine is worth trying, and many people spend the evening sampling different bottles while eating well.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Beaujolais wine tasting
- Day 6
Lyon to Barcelona
You'll leave Lyon and drive south through the Pyrenees mountains heading toward Barcelona. This Spanish city sits on the Mediterranean coast with year-round warmth and a lively energy that hits you as soon as you arrive. You'll start exploring Barcelona's neighborhoods and getting a feel for the city's unique character and local food scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Sagrada Familia - Day 7
Barcelona
Today focuses on Barcelona's highlights including the Gothic Quarter with its narrow cobbled lanes and winding streets. You'll also head up to Montjuic hill for views across the city. There's plenty of free time to roam, swim in the Mediterranean if you want, or just relax. An optional flamenco show is available tonight if you're interested in traditional Spanish culture and music.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Flamenco show
Landmarks/POIs Gothic Quarter Montjuic Las Ramblas - Day 8
Barcelona to French Riviera
You're crossing the border back into France, driving through landscapes filled with lavender fields, sunflowers, and wild herbs. You'll stop in Arles for lunch and time to see the ancient Roman Arena and walk through the charming town streets that inspired Van Gogh's paintings. From there you'll continue to the French Riviera coast with its clear blue water and seaside charm.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Arles Roman Arena - Day 9
French Riviera to Monaco
Your morning starts with the Riviera's crystal waters, cobblestone streets, and local markets. You'll drive east along the Côte d'Azur coast toward Monaco, stopping to see the Royal Palace where Grace Kelly lived and the famous Monte Carlo Casino. The evening is free for you to dress up and experience the area's glamorous atmosphere before heading back along the coast to your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Royal Palace Monte Carlo Casino - Day 10
Monaco to Florence
You're heading into Italy now, first stopping at Pisa to see and photograph the Leaning Tower. Then you'll continue to Florence and see the Duomo Cathedral rising above the city's roofline. That evening an optional Tuscan feast is available featuring authentic Italian food, and after dinner you can join the group for dancing and going out around the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tuscan feast (optional dinner)
Landmarks/POIs Leaning Tower of Pisa Duomo Cathedral - Day 11
Florence to Rome
The day starts with a demonstration of leather crafting showing off Florence's artisan traditions. From there you'll travel through the Tuscan countryside past cypress trees and olive groves heading to Rome. Once you arrive you'll explore major sites including the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. Throughout the day you'll have chances to grab authentic pizza, pasta, and gelato.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leather craft demonstration in Florence
Landmarks/POIs Trevi Fountain Spanish Steps - Day 12
Rome
This morning you can visit the Colosseum and walk through the ancient arena where gladiators once fought. Or you might prefer to spend the day doing more typical Italian activities like sitting at a café with espresso watching people pass by, visiting Trastevere for people-watching, trying authentic carbonara in its birthplace, and enjoying fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Colosseum tour
Landmarks/POIs Colosseum Trastevere - Day 13
Rome to Venice
You're traveling north toward Venice, Italy's famous water city. When you arrive, you'll have the evening free to find dinner and settle into your accommodation. There's no organized activities tonight, so you can explore at your own pace or rest up before tomorrow when you'll have a full day to experience the canals and streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 14
Venice
This is your day to claim Venice. You'll board a private boat to cruise the canals toward the historical center of the city. If you want, you can take an optional gondola ride with a gondolier. Otherwise you can wander through the maze-like streets on foot, getting lost intentionally and finding small treasures and local spots around every corner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Private boat tour of Venice canals
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride
Landmarks/POIs St. Mark's Basilica - Day 15
Venice to Vienna
You're leaving Venice and heading to Vienna, Austria. The drive takes you through the Dolomites with mountain scenery and wooden chalets that feel like scenes from the Sound of Music. Vienna is Austria's capital and known for its cultural heritage, historical architecture, and elegant atmosphere that you'll start experiencing as soon as you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 16
Vienna
Vienna is yours to experience however you like. Many people spend the day having Viennese coffee and warm apple strudel with whipped cream without feeling rushed. Others visit Schönbrunn Palace, take walking tours past St. Stephen's Cathedral and the State Opera House, or shop for Swarovski crystal gifts. An optional dinner and night out is available, or you can simply relax in style.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace tour
- Walking tour of St. Stephen's Cathedral and State Opera House
- Habibi & Hawara dinner (optional)
- Classic night out (optional)
Landmarks/POIs Schönbrunn Palace St. Stephen's Cathedral State Opera House - Day 17
Vienna to Munich
You're leaving Vienna and heading to Munich, Germany. Along the way you'll stop at Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial to learn about and reflect on this significant World War II site. After that somber visit you'll continue to Munich. Once there you'll explore the Old Town, see the Glockenspiel and Marienplatz, then head to a traditional beer hall for roasted pork and one of Germany's thousands of beer varieties.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial visit
- Traditional Bavarian beer hall experience
Landmarks/POIs Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Marienplatz - Day 18
Munich to Prague
You're traveling from Munich to Prague with a stop in Pilsen, the birthplace of Pilsner beer where you'll explore the city's architecture and underground tunnels. Later you'll arrive in Prague's Old Town and see the Charles Bridge and the famous astronomical clock. An included Czech evening features dumplings, goulash, and local beer to help you experience the local culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Authentic Czech evening with dumplings, goulash, and local beer)
Included Activities
- Charles Bridge and astronomical clock viewing
- Included authentic Czech dinner with dumplings and goulash
Optional Activities
- Pilsen architecture and underground tunnels exploration
Landmarks/POIs Charles Bridge Prague Astronomical Clock - Day 19
Prague
Prague is a UNESCO World Heritage city and today you get to explore it. A walking tour takes you through the Castle District and past St. Vitus Cathedral. After that you'll have time to roam through the colorful baroque buildings and Gothic churches, winding through pretty lanes and romantic courtyards that make this city so special.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Prague Castle District
- St. Vitus Cathedral viewing
Landmarks/POIs St. Vitus Cathedral Prague Castle District - Day 20
Prague to Berlin
You're heading out of Prague toward Berlin with a stop in Dresden along the way. Dresden was rebuilt after World War II destruction and now represents resilience and recovery. You'll see the Opera House, the domed Frauenkirche, and the Royal Residence before continuing to Berlin. An included tour of major sites and an included dinner with your group await when you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Included dinner)
Included Activities
- Berlin historical tour
- Included dinner in Berlin
Landmarks/POIs Frauenkirche Tiergarten Alexanderplatz Russian War Memorial Brandenburg Gate Reichstag - Day 21
Berlin
Berlin is ready for you this morning. You can choose between a historical walking tour covering Checkpoint Charlie and the site of Hitler's bunker, or an alternative tour focused on street art and counter-culture that most tourists miss. Later the city's nightlife is yours to explore, from underground raves to basement cocktail bars that give Berlin its party reputation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Historical walking tour including Checkpoint Charlie and Hitler's bunker site
- Alternative walking tour of street art and counter-culture
- Underground raves and basement cocktail lounges
Landmarks/POIs Checkpoint Charlie Hitler's Bunker Site - Day 22
Berlin to Amsterdam
You're leaving Germany and heading through the flat Netherlands toward Amsterdam. When you arrive you'll have an included dinner to start your time in this eclectic city. After dinner you can choose to join the group at a comedy show, or head out on your own. The nightlife options mean you can stay out exploring as long as you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Included dinner)
Included Activities
- Included dinner in Amsterdam
Optional Activities
- Comedy show
- Day 23
Amsterdam
This is your last full day on the European Escapade tour and your final night with your Contiki group. You could visit quirky museums around Amsterdam, sample different cuisines the city is known for, or just spend time with the people you've traveled with. Make the most of this last day and evening in the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 24
Amsterdam to London
It's time to say goodbye to your new Contiki family. You'll be taken to Schiphol Airport by around 10am. If you're not departing, you have the option to travel south to Calais and cross back to England before returning to London, where your adventure with the group ends and you can start planning your next trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
