Day 1 : London to Amsterdam
11-days of heart pounding adventure kick 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 France, we'll be taking in the English coastline beauty of the White Cliffs of Dover. They owe their gorgeousness to their composition of chalk - 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, the famed for fun Amsterdam is ours to explore following an optional evening canal cruise. An undisguised Red Light District & plenty of bars are there for the curious.
Accommodation : Via Hostel Amsterdam (or similar)
Day 2 : Amsterdam to Rhine Valley
Now it's time to pour some sunlight on the agenda & take in the beauty of canals, crooked buildings, obscure museums & a café culture like no other.
After the scenic journey of fairy tale castles, vineyards and valleys, you'll be charmed before we even arrive in Germany's famous Rhine Valley. This back-in-time town is our wine tasting host for the evening. Squeal!!!
Accommodation : Hotel Montag Sankt Goar (or similar) Twin Rooms
Day 3 : 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 Glockenspiel, a charming old town & a traditional Bavarian culture. But first, take up the option to explore the side streets and English Gardens by bicycle.
Accommodation : Wombat's Hostel (or similar)
Day 4 : Munich to Austrian Tyrol
Goodbye Munich, hello mountains. We're hitting the road in search of lands so sweet they made The Sound of Music.
This part of the world is famous for adventure sports, so best put your name next to the optional White Water Rafting and get in the spirit of things. Next up, Contiki’s very own Austrian Gasthof (guest house) is waiting for us with open arms. Get outside and explore the dreamy setting we've descended upon, or opt for tandem paragliding for those thrill seekers among us.
Accommodation : Contiki Haus Schoneck (or similar)
Day 5 : 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 & 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 : Anda Venice Hostel (or similar)
Day 6 : Venice to Swiss Alps
Arrivederci, Venice! You've been splendid. And now we're off to the Swiss Alps - the splendor just doesn't stop.
Arrive in a picture perfect setting ready for two nights at our accommodation in the heart of this traditional resort town. This place comes to life as the sun sets, so tonight we'll have a chance to check out the local nightlife and foodie scene.
Accommodation : Youth Hostel Interlaken (or similar)
Day 7 : Swiss Alps
Open the window of your room & drink in the incredible view - if you can find words or photos that do it justice, we applaud you! Feel free to explore this classic European adventure town.
Accommodation : Youth Hostel Interlaken (or similar)
Day 8 : Swiss Alps to Beaujolais Wine Region
Out with the altitude, into France for a brand new day and a brand new country.
Rolling into the Beaujolais region of France amidst vineyards, we'll arrive at Contiki’s very own 16th century Château. This might just be our most decadent accommodation yet, complete with newly-renovated bedrooms & bathrooms, an on-site nightclub, artwork in every room, a games room, and a powder room for makeup and hair. And we haven't even shown you the pool or the gardens yet! Tonight we'll start off with an included dinner and wine tasting here at the Château, because, when in France...
Please note: Due to so many people wanting to party with us, certain departures will be moved from Contiki's Chateau de Cruix to the French Gastronomic Capital of Lyon (a title which ain't given lightly, believe us!) We'll get the party started with an included meal at a local restaurant, accompanied by local wine. We'll also uncover all the city's magic on a guided tour.
Accommodation : Chateau de Cruix (or similar)
Day 9 : Beaujolais Wine Region to Paris
Wake yourself up with some morning yoga on the Chateau's lawn, survey the garden and give those limbs a good stretch before we pack up for Paris today.
Lamp-lit bridges, a sparkling Eiffel Tower, & evening coffee haunts, tonight we fall in love with everything Paris. After an included dinner at the hotel, our Trip Manager will fill us in on the city's secrets with a dreamy night-time tour of the 'city of lights', passing the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, and Notre Dame Cathedral.
Accommodation : Jo&Joe (or similar)
Day 10 : Paris
Pastries, paintings, perfume - Paris is yours! We'll take you to the glamorous Fragonard perfumery, then the time is yours to roam tree-lined quarters, see Notre Dame Cathedral, or get arty in the galleries of the Louvre. It's our last night together - make it count with an optional Parisian Dinner followed by a cabaret show!
Accommodation : Jo&Joe (or similar)
Day 11 : Paris to London
Whether you take your complimentary transfer to Paris CDG Airport or central London, it will be sad goodbyes all round this morning as our trip comes to an end.