Day 1 : London to Amsterdam
Your heart-pounding adventure kicks off today. Meet up with your Contiki posse & share notes on London town before hitting the road to Amsterdam. Shortly before we find our ferry for Europe, we'll be taking in the English coastline beauty of the White Cliffs of Dover. They owe their gorgeousness to their composition of chalk see, you're learning and we haven't even left the UK! Off the ferry, we arrive in the port town of Calais - French soil! We travel north via Belgium before reaching... Amsterdam! Tonight, after an included dinner and an optional evening canal cruise, the fun-famed Amsterdam is yours to explore in all its red-lit glory.
Accommodation : Ibis Budget Amsterdam City South (or similar)
Day 2 : Rhine Valley to Munich
Too much grape juice last night? Not to worry, the prospect of Munich should lift your spirits as we travel south & swap wine culture for beer.
Today our eyes will be treated to a famous Gothic clock, a charming old town & traditional Bavarian culture. You'll have the option to explore the side streets by foot and afterwards why not choose to explore one of the city's many beer halls, where you can try a stein of beer or even a pork knuckle!
Accommodation : Bento Inn Munich Messe (or similar)
Day 3 : Munich to Austrian Tyrol
Today we'll head out of Munich & on to Austria with a stop in scenic Innsbruck, before arriving in our Tyrolean mountain digs for the night. Tonight is all about mega chills in this scenic mountain village.
Accommodation : Contiki Haus Schoneck (or similar)
Day 4 : Austrian Tyrol to Venice
Wake up roamers, we have a bountiful breakfast and a floating city in Italy to tend to. Life's tough!
You'll think you've seen enough beauty for one day after taking in the Central Austrian Alps & the Brenner Pass en route to Italy. And then we'll arrive in Venice & your jaw will hit the floor over hidden lanes, story book bridges & a private canal boat ride.
Accommodation : Hotel Riviera dei Dogi (or similar)
Day 5 : Venice to Rome
Farewell floating city, but Italy, we're not done with you yet, our next destination the Eternal City of Rome is just around the corner.
The afternoon will really take it up a notch as we uncover Italian icons in the country's capital of Rome as you get a glimpse of it's glory by night. Gelato, pizza and ancient monuments - perfetto!
Accommodation : A conveniently located hotel
Day 6 : Rome
This morning we're up and out early to make the most of our chance to explore this ancient city. Starting with a visit to the world's smallest country, Vatican City.
When in Rome...take an optional guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel. Religious or not, the Vatican's Italian Renaissance church will send shivers down your spine. This is also the day to learn a thing or two about the Colosseum & do a bit of your own exploring.
Back in Rome, we'll have time to hit the streets and discover the incredible ancient civilization on our doorstep. You can opt to take a tour of the famous Colosseum and walk in the footsteps of Emperors and Gladiators in a guided tour, or snap epic selfies against a background of pink azaleas by the entrance. Visit the Trevi Fountain and throw coins to make a wish, sip espresso in a cobbled backstreet and soak up Italian life as it dances by.
Accommodation : A conveniently located hotel
Day 7 : Rome to Florence
We may be hitting the road again, but we're not done with Italy just yet. We have one more city to lust over…
The dome of Duomo Cathedral sits above the city making certain we know we have arrived in Florence. Take a moment to take in the unique beauty of this beautiful city where culture and la dolce vita is evident in every direction you look at. We'll become history buffs on a guided walking tour before we learn the art of leather. Tonight you can choose to begin your Tuscan love affair at an optional dinner - think olives, cured meats, crostini & wine.
Accommodation : Hotel Mirage (or similar)
Day 8 : Florence to Lucerne
Say a fond farewell to Italy, and hello to the land of creamy chocolate, cheese and not to mention watches. Hello Switzerland!
Swans float under wooden bridges, snowcapped mountains stand regally behind us & chocolate tastes like heaven on earth. You're in the Swiss Alps & you cannot wipe the smile off your face. Eeek!!!
Accommodation : Ibis Budget Luzern City (or similar)
Day 9 : Lucerne to Paris
It's been sweet, but our time in Lucerne is up this morning. We're Paris-bound! Out with the altitude, in with the inner-city Parisian bliss. We'll jump back onto our coach to cross the border out of Switzerland and (back) into France.
After coasting through the pretty wine producing region of Burgundy, we'll arrive in the City of Lights. Lamp-lit bridges, a sparkling Eiffel Tower, & evening coffee haunts, this evening we'll fall in love with everything Paris on a dreamy night-time tour. Is it just us, or is love in the air? Once we've seen the most famous landmarks, we'll celebrate our first night in the city by heading up the Montparnasse Tower for the best panoramic views of the city.
Accommodation : Ibis Paris Porte D'Italie (or similar)
Day 10 : Paris
It's time to stroll the dreamy streets of Paris, moan over haute couture you can't afford, admire the Notre Dame Cathedral whilst juggling coffee and crêpes, & get artsy at the many museums of the Louvre. Just don't wear yourself out, you will probably want to get involved with a ticket to an iconic cabaret show and dinner. With your last night looming, make it one to remember in the city of lights.
Accommodation : Ibis Paris Porte D'Italie (or similar)
Day 11 : Paris to London
Rise, shine, and soak up your last dose of Paris this morning over a coffee and croissant together, as we marvel at how much we've seen on this magical journey. It may be over for now, but these friendships and memories will last a lifetime.