Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Amsterdam
You'll meet your Contiki group in London and board the coach for the start of your European journey. The drive takes you through Dover where you'll catch a ferry across the English Channel, giving you views of the White Cliffs along the way. After crossing into France at Calais, you'll continue through Belgium and arrive in Amsterdam. This evening, you can walk around and see the canals, bicycles, and the beautiful 17th-century gable houses lit up across the city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Schiphol Amsterdam Airport (or similar))
Landmarks White Cliffs of Dover - Day 2
Amsterdam
You have the full day to explore Amsterdam on your own schedule. Wander through the charming canals, check out the unique museums, or just spend time at the cafes and soak in the vibe. Try local specialties like pancakes and frites as you move around the city. Your group has the option to gather for dinner this evening, but you can also do your own thing if you prefer.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Schiphol Amsterdam Airport (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Dinner with the Contiki group
- Bar hopping
- Museum crawling
- STRAAT street art and graffiti museum visit
Landmarks STRAAT - Day 3
Amsterdam to Berlin
The coach heads out early from Amsterdam toward Berlin, taking you onto the autobahn. Once you arrive, you'll get a city tour that covers Berlin's important sites and its complicated history. After that, you have free time to wander around and find the hidden cafes, shops, and landmarks on your own terms throughout the afternoon and evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Berlin West (or similar))
Included Activities
- City tour of Berlin including key historical sites
Landmarks Holocaust Memorial Brandenburg Gate Reichstag Tiergarten Alexanderplatz Russian War Memorial 
- Day 4
Berlin
This morning you'll join an alternative Berlin walking tour that takes you through the hipster neighborhoods and historical areas. The tour focuses on the city's underground culture and street art, showing you things beyond what typical tourists usually see. You'll discover parts of Berlin that most people miss, getting a real sense of the city's creative side.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Berlin West (or similar))
Included Activities
- Alternative Berlin walking tour
Landmarks Checkpoint Charlie East Side Gallery - Day 5
Berlin to Prague
You're leaving Berlin this morning and heading toward Prague with a stop in Dresden on the way. In Dresden, you'll see the Baroque architecture that's been rebuilt since World War II, including the Opera House, Frauenkirche, and the Royal Residence. These buildings show how the city recovered and rebuilt itself. Once you arrive in Prague later in the day, there's time to walk around the compact city center and check out some of the castles and cathedrals. You'll get a sense of Bohemian history just from wandering the streets. If you're interested, there's an option to catch a live music performance tonight with traditional dancing while you have dinner and drinks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (B&B Hotel Prague (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Berlin to Prague route
- Visit Dresden (Baroque architecture, Opera House, Frauenkirche, Royal Residence)
- Explore Prague's castles and cathedrals
- Learn about Bohemian Kings and gothic history
Optional Activities
- Live music performance with traditional dancing and dinner in Prague
Landmarks Frauenkirche Royal Residence Opera House Dresden Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral 
- Day 6
Prague
You have all day to explore Prague at your own pace. Walk through the Gothic architecture, browse the markets for antiques, and try the local beer. Take photos wherever you want or join an optional food tour to find the best places to eat around the city. There's plenty of time to do whatever appeals to you most.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (B&B Hotel Prague (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Food tour of Prague's best dining spots
Landmarks Prague Castle Castle District - Day 7
Prague to Salzburg
The coach departs Prague heading toward Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace surrounded by mountain ranges. You'll visit Hohensalzburg fortress and see the city's main sights and attractions. This evening, you have the option to join a local family at their farm in the hills above Salzburg for an authentic meal and a real sense of the region's culture and traditions.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (A&O Salzburg (or similar))
Included Activities
- Sights & Sounds of Salzburg tour
Optional Activities
- Visit to local farming family in the hills above Salzburg for dinner and cultural experience
Landmarks Hohensalzburg - Day 8
Salzburg to Venice
You'll cross the border from Austria into Italy, and as you drive, you'll see the Central Austrian Alps in the distance. After arriving in Venice, you'll take a private canal boat ride through the hidden lanes and beautiful bridges that make this floating city so special. The boat weaves through the unique charm that only Venice can offer.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (B&B Hotel Venezia Laguna (or similar)), Hotel (Hotel Riviera dei Dogi (or similar))
Included Activities
- Private canal boat ride in Venice
- Day 9
Venice to Rome
You leave Venice and head to Casale Polegri vineyard in Baschi for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER visit. The Polegri family will show you around the vineyards and olive orchards, then you'll have lunch under the veranda with authentic Italian food and their homemade wine while looking out over the Tiber Valley. From there, you continue to Rome and explore Italian landmarks, finishing the evening seeing the city lights.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch under the Veranda at Casale Polegri featuring crunchy bruschetta topped with homemade extra virgin olive oil, focaccia bread with homegrown rosemary and vegetables, risotto or pasta, homemade wine, and dessert)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pineta Palace Hotel Roma (or similar))
Included Activities
- Tour of Casale Polegri vineyard and olive orchards
- Lunch at Casale Polegri with homemade wine
Landmarks Casale Polegri 
- Day 10
Rome
Get an early start to make the most of Rome on your own. Take photos at the Colosseum, throw coins in fountains, and grab espresso at a cafe while you watch Italian life happen around you. You'll have the full day to see what interests you most without anyone dictating your schedule.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pineta Palace Hotel Roma (or similar))
Landmarks Colosseum - Day 11
Rome to Florence
You travel to Florence where the Duomo Cathedral's dome rises above everything else. Take time to take in the city's beauty, where you'll find culture and la dolce vita in every corner. If you're interested, your group can get together for an optional traditional Bistecca dinner, which is a classic Florentine steak experience.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Mirage (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Bistecca (Florentine steak) dinner
Landmarks Duomo Cathedral 
- Day 12
Florence to Cinque Terre to Parma
Leaving Florence, you stop in Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower and grab your photo there. Then you head to Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera, where five colorful villages sit on cliffs above the Ligurian Sea. Your day pass lets you jump between villages by train and have an Aperol Spritz while taking in the views. Later you'll drive to Parma for the evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Parma & Congressi (or similar))
Included Activities
- Cinque Terre National Park day pass and exploration
Landmarks Leaning Tower of Pisa Cinque Terre 
- Day 13
Parma to Lucerne
You leave Parma and travel to Lucerne in the Swiss Alps. When you arrive, you'll see swans floating under wooden bridges with snow-capped mountains standing in the background. The setting is beautiful and peaceful, the kind of place where even the chocolate seems to taste better than anywhere else.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Budget Luzern City (or similar))
Landmarks Chapel Bridge Lion Monument 
- Day 14
Lucerne to Paris
From Lucerne, you head to Paris, crossing the border from Switzerland back into France. Your trip manager will show you around the city and share some local knowledge as you see the lamp-lit bridges and the sparkling Eiffel Tower in the evening. You'll fall in love with the City of Light tonight.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Budget Paris Porte de Bercy (or similar))
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Arc de Triomphe Louvre Champs-Élysées Notre-Dame Cathedral 
- Day 15
Paris
This is your last full day in Paris, so make it count. Walk up the Champs-Élysées for pastels at the original Ladurée, browse designer shops on rue Saint-Honoré, grab coffee and crepes while looking at Notre-Dame, or search for the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. If you want, you can join your group for a cabaret show tonight to cap off your Paris experience.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Budget Paris Porte de Bercy (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Cabaret show in Paris
Landmarks Ladurée Colette Rue Saint-Honoré - Day 16
Paris to London
On your final morning, enjoy coffee and a croissant while thinking back on your 16-day journey across Europe. Say goodbye to your group and board the coach for your complimentary transfer to CDG airport. If you'd rather, you can stay on for the full ride back to London. Either way, the friendships and memories from this trip will stick with you for years.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Coffee and croissant in Paris)
