Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Amsterdam
Meet your Contiki group in London and head toward Amsterdam. You'll stop at the White Cliffs of Dover along the English coast, then take a ferry across to Calais, France. From there, travel north through Belgium before reaching Amsterdam. Dinner's included, and after that the evening is yours to check out the city on your own.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner in Amsterdam with new travel group before exploring the city)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar))
Included Activities
- White Cliffs of Dover viewing
- Ferry crossing to Calais
- Dinner in Amsterdam
Landmarks White Cliffs of Dover 
- Day 2
Amsterdam
Your day in Amsterdam is completely open, so you can shape it however you like. Start by walking through the cobbled streets and taking in the canal views at your own pace. The city has plenty of museums if that interests you, or you could spend time hopping between cafes instead. For food, try some local Dutch pancakes, grab frites from a stand, sample cheese, or pick up stroopwafels from a bakery. If you want something structured, there are a few optional activities available: the STRAAT museum sits in a former shipyard and is worth a look if street art appeals to you. Alternatively, you could take a day trip out to Volendam, a quiet fishing village nearby. Later in the evening, an optional canal cruise with an onboard bar is another option if you'd rather have a guided experience with drinks included.
- Meals
- Dinner (Amsterdam: Best way to break the ice? By breaking bread of course. You and your new besties can bond over dinner before heading out to explore.)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Schiphol Amsterdam Airport (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Visit STRAAT museum (located in former NDSM shipyard)
- Day trip to Volendam fishing village with optional dinner
- Iconic canal cruise through Amsterdam with onboard bar
- Museum visits
- Cafe culture exploration
- Bar hopping
Landmarks STRAAT Museum Volendam - Day 3
Amsterdam to Rhine Valley, Germany
Leave Amsterdam this afternoon heading to Germany. The drive takes you through scenic countryside with castles, vineyards, and valleys as you head toward the Rhine Valley. This charming town has an optional wine-tasting experience available this evening if you're interested.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Montag Sankt Goar (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Wine-tasting experience in Rhine Valley
Landmarks Rhine Valley - Day 4
Dinkelsbühl, Germany
Head south from the Rhine Valley to Dinkelsbuhl, a medieval Bavarian town. The route follows the Romantische Strasse, which winds through medieval towns, castles, and countryside. Once there, wander the cobblestoned streets and check out the market squares with their half-timbered houses. See a famous Gothic clock and experience traditional Bavarian culture. Stop at a traditional beer hall with the group for a beer, and you can optionally explore other beer halls and try local dishes like pork knuckle.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Garden Munich Messe (or similar)), Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Munich City West (or similar))
Included Activities
- Drive along Romantische Straße scenic route
- Explore medieval town of Dinkelsbühl cobblestoned streets
- Stop at traditional Bavarian Bier Halle
Optional Activities
- Explore city beer halls and try pork knuckle
Landmarks Dinkelsbühl Romantische Straße 
- Day 5
Bavarian Alps to Venice, Italy
Cross the Bavarian Alps and head south into Italy, arriving in Venice. Take a private speedboat ride through the canals and explore the hidden lanes and bridges. The city has plenty of optional activities like gondola rides and Venetian dinners if you want to add them to your day.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Venice Palace (or similar))
Included Activities
- Cross Bavarian Alps
- Private Motoscafo ride in Venice
Optional Activities
- Gondola rides
- Venetian dinners
Landmarks Venice 
- Day 6
Venice to Rome, Italy
Leave Venice for Rome, but stop first at Casale Polegri in Baschi. Meet the Polegri family and tour their vineyard and olive orchard before lunch featuring homemade pasta, risotto, fresh bruschetta with their olive oil, focaccia with rosemary, plus their wine and dessert while overlooking the Umbrian landscape. Continue on to Rome and explore the Eternal City at night with views of major landmarks, and grab some gelato and pizza while you're at it.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Casale Polegri featuring bruschetta topped with homemade extra virgin olive oil, focaccia bread with homegrown rosemary and vegetables, risotto or pasta, and homemade wine and dessert, overlooking the Umbrian landscape)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pineta Palace Hotel Roma (or similar))
Included Activities
- Casale Polegri vineyard and olive orchard tour
- Lunch at Casale Polegri with Polegri family (bruschetta, focaccia, risotto/pasta, homemade wine and dessert)
Landmarks Casale Polegri Baschi Rome - Day 7
Rome
Start early to get the most out of Rome. Explore the ancient streets on your own and find places that interest you. Optionally take a guided tour of the Colosseum, throw coins in fountains, have espresso at a street café, or join a food tour of the city. It's your day to discover what you want to see.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pineta Palace Hotel Roma (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of the Colosseum
- Food tour in Rome
Landmarks Colosseum - Day 8
Rome to Florence, Italy
Head to Florence, where you'll immediately notice the Duomo Cathedral's dome dominating the skyline. The city has a real sense of culture and relaxed living all around. Join a locally guided walking tour to see the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery, and Piazza della Signoria. You'll learn about leather crafting too. There's an optional dinner available this evening to start getting into Tuscan mode.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Auto Park (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Florence (Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto's Bell Tower, Baptistery, Piazza della Signoria)
- Leather crafting lesson
Optional Activities
- Dinner in Florence or Tuscany
Landmarks Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) Basilica Santa Croce Giotto's Bell Tower Baptistery of Florence Piazza della Signoria - Day 9
Florence to Lucerne, Switzerland
Leave Italy behind and head to Switzerland. Travel to the Swiss Alps near Lucerne where snowcapped mountains, swans under wooden bridges, and famous chocolate await. The natural setting here is really something with the Alpine landscape all around.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Budget Luzern City (or similar))
Landmarks Swiss Alps 
- Day 10
Lucerne to Paris, France
Leave Lucerne this morning and head to Paris, crossing back into France. Once in Paris, your Trip Manager will fill you in on what the city has to offer. To kick off your first night, head up the Montparnasse Tower for views of the city lit up by night and the Eiffel Tower sparkling.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Climb Montparnasse Tower (56th floor) for vista of Paris
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Montparnasse Tower - Day 11
Paris
Wander the streets of Paris, check out the fashion, grab coffee and crepes at Notre-Dame Cathedral, and walk through the Louvre. You can optionally catch a cabaret show with dinner or visit perfume houses to learn about fragrance making. Make the most of your last night in the city since you're leaving tomorrow.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Louvre
Optional Activities
- Iconic cabaret show with dinner
- Fragrance lesson at Parisian perfume house
Landmarks Notre-Dame Cathedral Louvre Arc de Triomphe Champs-Élysées - Day 12
Paris to London
Have your last morning in Paris with coffee and a croissant. Think back on the trip and the people you've met from your Contiki group. Return to London via complimentary coach or head to CDG airport. Your 12-day European adventure wraps up here.
Included Activities
- Complimentary transfer to CDG airport or London
