Day 1 : London to Amsterdam
The adventure of a lifetime kicks off today. Meet up with your new Contiki family in London town before hitting the road.
We'll take in the English coastline beauty of the White Cliffs of Dover - they owe their gorgeousness to their composition of chalk!
French soil! We travel north via Belgium before reaching Amsterdam.
We'll start our exploration of Amsterdam with a peek of canals, bicycles & 17th century gable houses lit up by night.
Accommodation : Ibis Budget Amsterdam City South (or similar)
Day 2 : Amsterdam
Amsterdam is cute as a button & sure to win your heart with its canals, obscure museums & a café culture like no other. Today use your time to get local, bar hop, museum crawl, and see what other tastes take your fancy, this place is famous for pancakes, frites and so much more, and that's all before we enjoy a delicious included dinner with the rest of our Contiki fam.
Accommodation : Ibis Budget Amsterdam City South (or similar)
Day 3 : Amsterdam to Berlin
Today's agenda? Out of Amsterdam, onto the autobahn and on the fast-track to uber-cool Berlin.
Willkommen to Berlin! The city full of cool culture, edgy fashion, and irresistible street food. Once we arrive, your Trip Manager can point you in the right direction to go and see the sights, including the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate.
Accommodation : Good Morning Berlin City East (or similiar)
Day 4 : Berlin
After our taster of Berlin's history yesterday, you'll have the chance to delve deeper today. Opt to take a historical walking tour, including a visit to the site of Hitler's bunker, or an Alternative Berlin tour. Otherwise, you're free to explore all the obscurities tucked away off the main street of Unter Den Linden, see the Brandenburg gate, discover nature at the Lustgarten, or catch the U-bahn to one of Berlin's quirky neighbourhoods. And if you're looking for a night out, now is the perfect time to scope out one of those underground raves or cocktail-lounge-in-the-basement scenarios that Berlin is famous for.
Accommodation : Good Morning Berlin City East (or similiar)
Day 5 : Berlin to Prague
Still not done with the city vibes, we'll head out of Berlin and onto Prague.
A drive from Berlin to Prague would not be complete without stopping in Dresden. Destroyed by World War II, the rebuilt town is now a symbol of resilience, soaked in the rebirth beauty of an Opera house, Frauenkirche, & the Royal Residence.
On arrival in the compact & lovable city of Prague, we’ll get orientated with a walking tour, being blown away by beautiful bridges, rivers and gothic architecture. The evening will see us immerse ourselves in Czech culture with an optional Traditional Czech evening, featuring a folklore show and dinner.
Accommodation : Zleep Hotel (or similar)
Day 6 : Prague
Today is the day we get to know the real Prague. If you’re looking to give your feet a rest, hop on a bike to whirl through the city with ease, stopping off for chimney cakes to keep energy levels high. The night is yours to amble around the Old Town Square and find a few haunts to let the hours slip away in.
Accommodation : Zleep Hotel (or similar)
Day 7 : Prague to Budapest
Prague, you’ve been nothing short of an Eastern fairytale setting but today we’ll scoot off to Hungary, heading for Budapest.
A quick lunch stop in Bratislava, this is your chance to culture up your Instagram feed with shots of this beautiful capital, sitting on the border of 3 different countries, and tick another country off your list!
Arriving in Budapest, we’ll barely be able to contain our excitement. Tonight, we’ll be hitting the streets to uncover the city’s famous ‘ruin bars’ as we discover Budapest after dark.
Accommodation : Ibis Budapest City South Hotel (or similar)
Day 8 : Budapest
Those still keen to explore can jump on the Budapest Past and Present Tour and continue learning about this incredible city. The House of Terror, the Parliament Building and more, we will take you on a journey of old and new. After all the beauty and knowledge you soaked up yesterday at the church of St Matthias, the Royal Palace and the Chain Bridge, you’ll probably be feeling like a day soaking in the city's famous outdoor thermal pools, set amongst Art Nouveau architecture while getting a bargain-priced massage. As the evening draws in, why not take an optional River Cruise and dinner? Gliding across the shimmering night-lit river of Danube, you’ll get to experience the beautiful sights of Budapest while enjoying a delicious al-la-carte Hungarian feast.
Accommodation : Ibis Budapest City South Hotel (or similar)
Day 9 : Budapest to Sarajevo
Bye bye Budapest, your soothing spas and unique charm will remain in our hearts forever. We’ll journey south through Hungary, passing through Croatia to Bosnia.
Touchdown in Sarajevo, Bosnia’s eclectic capital city. With a full day of discovering this Eastern gem on the cards tomorrow, we’ll turn in for an early night after grabbing a bite to eat.
Accommodation : Hotel Hollywood Sarajevo (or similar)
Day 10 : Sarajevo
The only way to uncover the town of Sarajevo is with the wisdom shared on a guided walking tour. We'll help you tap into history & understand the magnitude of our destination before having a chance for a tantalising cultural immersion as you enjoy a quintessential Sarajevo dinner in the home of some local chefs and hosts. Afterwards, enjoy an evening of bars and nightlife, should you so choose.
Accommodation : Hotel Hollywood Sarajevo (or similar)
Day 11 : Sarajevo to Dubrovnik
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll depart Sarajevo and head to the famous town of Mostar for a spot of lunch.
Mostar is home to the world's cutest bridge. According to us. But still - we've seen a lot of bridges. You'll have plenty of time to oohh and aahh before we kick on to our 2-night site of Dubrovnik.
After being wowed and enthralled by Mostar’s medieval charm, we’ll make our way to Croatia and roll up to Dubrovnik, where we’ll be greeted by limestone walls, an Old Town filled with Hollywood sights, and a mountain meets sea situation. Tonight, after dinner with the crew, we’ll paint the town red.
Accommodation : Hotel Petka Dubrovnik (or similar)
Day 12 : Dubrovnik
The city of Dubrovnik is so much more than just a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Game of Thrones location - not that either of those claims to fame are even mildly mediocre. After you’ve been guided around the city with intricate detail with our local guide, you’ll be armed with the knowledge to pick out a waterside rock bar where you can swim and play to your heart's content. This afternoon, why not opt for a dinner cruise with the crew?
Accommodation : Hotel Petka Dubrovnik (or similar)
Day 13 : Dubrovnik to Split
We’ll set off from sunny Dubrovnik today and head north, bound for the sensational seaside delights of Split.
Upon arrival into majestic Split, you can choose to head up into the Hills optional “Let’s Split” dinner, in which local artisans are on site preparing oils & handicrafts to purchase, with all proceeds going back into the local community. Full and content, it's time to spend a few hours on the dance floor. The nightlife here goes off, and your Trip Manager knows all the best places to head.
Accommodation : Hotel Split Inn (or similar)
Day 14 : Split to Ljubljana
Our Croatian love affair is drawing to a close, but the enchanting allure of Slovenia lies ahead as we make our way to the capital city of Ljubljana.
Although you might find nods to neighbouring countries within Slovenian culture, a distinct identity has evolved from this melody of influences. After our guided walking tour, explore the bohemian art district of Metelkova Mesto, sit by one of the cities atmospheric watercourses & join us for a delicious regional meal.
Accommodation : Ibis Styles Ljubljana Centre (or similar)
Day 15 : Ljubljana to Venice
Ever the advocates of a balanced holiday, today we’re trading in the obscure unknown for the globally adored hot spot of Venice. Whoop!
Yes, it’s as cute as you imagined. Yes, you’ll feel like you’re part of an Italian fairytale. Yes, you are actually hanging out in the gondola filled floating city of Venice! A private boat ride, gothic architecture and a web of lanes to explore will keep your day filled quite nicely.
Accommodation : LH Hotel Sirio Venice (or similar)
Day 16 : Venice to Lucerne
We have a few days left - Switzerland & France, we’re coming for both of you.
Passing Lake Como, we cruise out of Italy and find ourselves in Switzerland, pulling up in the fairytale town of Lucerne, famous for its wooden bridges, cobbled lanes and beautiful setting against Lake Lucerne. And chocolate. Don’t forget to eat ALL the chocolate.
Accommodation : Barabas Hotel Luzern (or similar)
Day 17 : Lucerne
There’s no reason why today can’t be wasted strolling these beautiful streets or sitting in a coffee shop pondering mountain life, and consuming more chocolate - that’s perfectly acceptable too. Those wanting to spice up their day can visit the top of a Swiss Mountain and enjoy a lake cruise, giving yourself a better look at the stunning Swiss Alps reflected off the water. Spoilt for choice much?
Accommodation : Barabas Hotel Luzern (or similar)
Day 18 : Lucerne to Paris
Out with the altitude, in with the inner-city Parisian bliss. Once we’ve crossed the border out of Switzerland we will be coasting through the pretty wine producing region of Burgundy before our arrival in Paris.
Ah, we've finally arrived in the city of love! So, of course, we're starting with a gorgeous French dinner. Afterwards, you're free to do what you please. Enjoy a glass of fine wine, explore trendy fashion, or even soak in iconic sights! Finally, we'll end the night with jaw-dropping city views from the Montparnasse Tower.*Heads up, our Paris plans might shift during the Summer Olympics due to city restrictions, impacting our Illuminations Tour of the city along with other possible disruptions. We're on it, crafting alternative experiences for your safety and enjoyment. Your understanding means the world to us!
Accommodation : Ibis Paris 17 Clichy-Batignolles (or similar)
Day 19 : Paris
Today's the day to stroll the beautiful streets of Paris - and we'll start with a visit to an authentic French perfumery to learn all the secrets of the trade. Then there's plenty of time to lust over designer haute couture or French vintage stores, admire the Notre Dame Cathedral, order coffee and crepes, or get artsy at the many museums of the Louvre. Just don't wear yourself out, because tonight's your chance to get involved with VIP seats, dinner & French champagne at an iconic Parisian cabaret show. With your last night looming, this is the perfect way to make it one to remember. Get ready to go out with a bang!
Accommodation : Ibis Paris 17 Clichy-Batignolles (or similar)
Day 20 : Paris to London
Soak up your last dose of Paris and feel the astonishment of how much you’ve seen during this awesome trip, not to mention how close you’ve grown to your Contiki pals.
What a journey! On arrival in London say a fond farewell to the group - the adventure has come to an end.