London to Athens Plus | Start London | 2026 – May 12 to August 24, 2026 (17 Days) - From £2,195

Europe United Kingdom
OVERVIEW
Take the slow & steady road from London to Athens, allowing yourself time to sip wine in Contiki's French Chateau, roam Barcelona's romantic Gothic Quarter and roll the dice at the Monte Carlo Casino. With 6 countries in 17 days, you'll be no novice in these countries by the time the trip's complete.
EXPERIENCES
Amalfi Coast: Definitely one for the bucket list. Your chance to view one of Europe’s active volcanoes from a distance.

Arles: Visit the historic city of Arles, famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh.

Athens: Even if you’re not a sports nut, this is probably the most iconic Olympic stadium in the world and you won’t want to miss it.

Athens: Walk in the footsteps of Gods and Goddesses, as you take a guided tour around the Ancient Greek monuments and explore the Parthenon temple.

Barcelona: We’ll check out the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s world-renowned masterpiece. Work began on the church in the 1880s and while it was technically never finished, it’s still a wonder to behold.

Baschi: We'll head to the rocky (but so picturesque) village of Baschi to visit Casale Polegri. Stroll around the vineyards and olive orchards on a short tour of the azienda agricola. We'll learn about the farming techniques used by the Polegri Family to harvest their fresh plants and fruit. We'll end the afternoon with a crunchy bruschetta topped with homemade extra virgin olive oil, focaccia bread with homegrown rosemary and vegetables. And of course, some risotto or pasta. All of this with a glass of their homemade wine and dessert. Happy tummy, happy life!

Beaujolais Wine Region: Set within the rolling hills of the Beaujolais wine region, the legendary Contiki Château special stay has been wowing travellers for decades. From the luxe bar to the elegant new bedrooms, our Château is the perfect backdrop to long summer days lounging by the pool, capped off with French feasts, local wine and dancing the night away in ‘La Cave.’

Beaujolais: Be a VIP at the epic Contiki Château and fill up on a banquet of classic French dishes and wines. Ooh la la!

Beaujolais: Clear out the cobwebs and get in touch with you zen side with a guided yoga session on the sweeping lawns of the château.

Beaujolais: Enjoy a French-style picnic while admiring the gorgeous Beaujolais countryside.

Corinth Canal: The world’s deepest canal is an epic sight. It was carved through the rock, as a link between the Aegean and Ionian Seas.

Dover: See the iconic chalk-white coastline. So special that it’s had songs dedicated to it.

Florence: See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria on a locally guided walking tour of Florence.

French Riviera: Glide through the winding coastal roads of the French Riviera with your Contiki crew.

Monaco City: Walk in the footsteps of Grace Kelly at the Royal Palace and see the Monte Carlo Casino (where the car park looks like a Fast & Furious set).

Nice: Your chance to learn the art of fragrance at a French perfume house. You know it makes scents! (soz).

Paris: Take a dreamy jaunt around the city of romance. Fall in love with landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Champs-Élysées and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Pisa: Your ultimate chance to ‘hold the tower up’ as you pose for that classic Insta snap.

Rome: We’ll take you to our fave gelateria and treat you to the creamy Italian dessert. You’re so welcome!

Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice.
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
Returns		 Starting From
(price per person)		 Definite Departure
What's this?		 Book Now!
12/05/2026 28/05/2026 £2,595 Book
26/05/2026 11/06/2026 £2,535   Book
13/06/2026 29/06/2026 £2,995 Book
19/06/2026 05/07/2026 £2,825   Book
25/06/2026 11/07/2026 £3,075 Book
05/07/2026 21/07/2026 £2,795 Book
15/07/2026 31/07/2026 £2,725   Book
23/07/2026 08/08/2026 £2,725   Book
29/07/2026 14/08/2026 £2,725 Book
24/08/2026 09/09/2026 £2,650 Book
View Our Dates
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Ibis Budget Paris Porte de Bercy (or similar) - Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Ibis Budget Paris Porte de Bercy (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Château de Cruix (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4: Château de Cruix (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Picnic Lunch
DAY 5: Alexandre Fira Congress Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6: Alexandre Fira Congress Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: Appart City Classic Nice Acropolis (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8: Appart City Classic Nice Acropolis (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9: Hotel San Giuliano (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10: Hotel San Giuliano (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11: Hotel Mirage (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12: Hotel Mirage (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13: iH Hotels Roma Z3 (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 14: iH Hotels Roma Z3 (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 15: Overnight Ferry - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 16: Athens Center Square Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
ITINERARY

Welcome to the first day of the best trip of your life - we're calling it early! After a few pleasantries in London we'll get the show on the road with Paris in our sights. These chalk cliffs that edge the English coastline are known as the White Cliffs of Dover, the first of many natural beauties we'll see on our trip. After we ferry across the English Channel for France we'll arrive in Calais, where we will take in the history of World War I battlefields as we drive past the Valley of the Somme. We'll kick off our trip as we arrive in the glittering city of love, Paris. To start things off, we'll bond with our Contiki fam with a delicious included dinner and then head to the Eiffel Tower to spend the night watching her sparkle.

Today's the day to stroll the beautiful streets of Paris, but first we will take a tour of the city. Then the time is yours to lust over designer haute couture or French vintage stores, admire the Notre Dame Cathedral, order coffee and crêpes, or get artsy at the Louvre. This is your night to sign up for an iconic Parisian cabaret show. The perfect way to make it one to remember!

This morning we’ll have breakfast and then be on our merry way to the next stop: time for the Château. We'll make a quick lunch stop in this picturesque little town, known for its rich wine heritage. Plus, you'll have the chance to check out the iconic Hospices De Beaune (a stunning 15th century hospital with a vibrant tiled roof). Cameras at the ready!  Rolling into the Beaujolais region of France amidst vineyards, we'll arrive at Contiki’s very own 16th century château. That's right, we're trading hotels for a castle tonight! You'll stay in multi-share, newly-renovated rooms (with 5 other travellers). What's more? Not much, just an on-site nightclub, artwork in every room, a games room, a powder room for makeup and hair, a beautiful sprawling garden AND a pool! Tonight we'll start off with an included dinner and wine tasting here at the château, because, when in France...!

Pinch yourself, this is another day at the Château & another chance to live your best French countryside life with a full day here in Beaujolais. Rise & shine with optional sunrise yoga on the sprawling lawn of the Château's gardens or loll about poolside in our castle-like setting. Our highlight today is a picnic in the picturesque gardens. Cue panoramic views & red wine.

Saying goodbye to the grape juice we'll weave our way to two nights in beachside Barcelona. The Pyrénées mountains will keep our eyes satisfied today as we roll across the border for Spain's most lively city. Each day as sweet as the last. Welcome to España! Known for its chilled-out vibes, welcoming atmosphere and culture of acceptance and tolerance, there’s nowhere quite like Barcelona. Tonight we'll have an included family dinner after marvelling at the stunning Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's architectural masterpiece.

Cobbled lanes of the Gothic Quarter, Montjuic hilltop vistas, & wild Spanish architecture will season our day to perfection. There's plenty of free time to roam free or take a dip in the Mediterranean sea, just don't tire yourself out - chances are you'll want to partake in the evening of Flamenco fun.

As smitten as we are by Barcelona, we have more of Europe to conquer. Much, much more... After a dreamy drive across the border into France through landscapes of lavender, sunflowers and wild herbs, we'll arrive at our lunch break town of Arles. Here we will get a peek at an ancient Roman Arena and at a typical provincial French town. You're not a real celebrity until you've frolicked on the French Riviera, and who are we to keep you off the A-List? Sapphire waters & endless glamour as we roll through this glitzy coastline.

Missing an opportunity to see this part of the world up close and personal would be criminal. Speaking of things you shouldn't miss, this region is famous for lavender honey, aioli & rosé wine; all 3 in one meal should be your mission. Please tell us you didn't throw away all of your pennies today? Because you're going to want a few spare coins tonight so you can play fancy. We're visiting Monaco tonight, and you'll have the chance to visit the Monte Carlo Casino & the Royal Palace, followed by a delicious optional dinner! After a night on the blackjack table it's back to the coast and to bed, the next part of the adventure starts tomorrow.

Today we say our farewells to the French Riviera and take our first jaunt into Italy, taking in the sights of Liguria, Lombardia, & the Veneto regions along the way. Pizza, pasta, & charming locals are just around the corner. But before we cross the border into Italy, we’ll make a fragrant pitstop here in Eze to visit a traditional French perfumery – where you’ll even have the chance to craft a signature scent of your own. In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, a posse of travellers, all alike in excitement, check out the place that inspired Romeo & Juliet. We'll also check out the Roman Arena where other love stories were told. The floating city of gondolas, canals and pretty bridges - what a splendid way to commence our Italian love affair. Rest up tonight, you'll want to be alert for tomorrow's magical agenda.

Wake-up sleeping beauties! Venice is yours for the entirety of this glorious Italian day. We'll be jumping aboard our own private boat and hitting the canals en route to the historical heart of the city. Sign up to discover Venice with a guided food tour. Next, a trip to the colourful Venetian island of Burano and a gondola ride are up for grabs… or you can just get lost on your own and see where the magical maze takes you.

Venice we love you, but we need to see a bit more of this boot to satisfy our hungry wanderlust ways. As if we are going to travel from Venice to Florence without a sneaky side trip to the Leaning tower of Pisa. Depriving you of the chance to perfect the holding-up-the-tower shot would be down right criminal. For those of you not familiar with the whole Florence deal, we have two words for you: it's heaven. Potter along the River Arno, be totally Tuscan with a drop of Chianti wine, and take in the beauty of the city and its protruding Duomo.

Ready for a full day of all things Florence? Today is the perfect balance of guided local wisdom and free time to roam. We'll uncover the beautiful art of traditional leatherwork, explore streets bursting with heritage, and see all the top sights on a walking tour. This afternoon you'll have free time to take to the local markets and taste the local gelato before a special optional evening out tonight, a visit to a 14th century Certosan monastry, followed by dinner and wine at a magical Tuscan restaurant nestled in the countryside nearby.

Farewell Florence - today we have the epicentre of Italy on our horizons. Pizza, piazzas...we're coming in hot. But not before one rather extraordinary stop-off. En-route to Rome, we’ll visit Casale Polegri – an organic Umbrian farm where we’ll feast on local pasta, olives, wine and more fresh local produce. And here… we… are… Back city side in the Italian capital of Rome. After a brief orientation tour from your Trip Manager, you’re free to check out the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon & Piazza Navona with your Contiki crew.

When in Rome... This is the day to learn a thing or two about the Colosseum & do a bit of your own exploring. Espressos and people watching should be high priority… Stuck for something to do this evening? There’s plenty of pasta, gelato and caprese salad stops to keep you occupied – and don’t get us started on the wine.

As completely satisfied as we already are with our Italian odyssey, we have one more stop before we're a walking talking guidebook on this beautiful boot. Goodbye Rome, hello Pompeii. Once a totally vibing hang-out of the Romans, Pompeii is now an archaeological site showing remains of what was destroyed in the year...wait for it...79AD. When you choose the optional guided tour saying "stepping back in time" is about to take on a whole new meaning! We'll hop aboard our Overnight Adriatic Ferry and set sail. Although we don't arrive in Athens tonight, it's in our sight! Drift off to sleep to the sway of our boat knowing tomorrow you'll wake in a brand new country.

Ahoy there, we'll be sailing the Adriatic this morning headed for land... We'll roll off the boat in Igoumenitsa and then it's straight back on the road. The awe of Greece's mainland will begin shortly after our arrival as we catch a glimpse of Corinth Canal. This man-made passageway squeezes boats through its path, sandwiched by two steep cliffs and sitting over gloriously blue ocean. A collage of ancient wonders and modern magnificence, the allure of Athens is hard to dismiss. Choose to sample more traditional Greek food with an optional dinner with your new friends in this ancient city.

Hugs, tears, and a final batch of reminiscing; it's astounding how close a group can get in just two short weeks, but not before our Local Guide will escort us through the history of the city visiting the Parthenon and the Acropolis, as well as the first modern Olympic Stadium, host of the 1896 Games.
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