Ultimate European

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.  A few hours in and your jaws are on the floor already. 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 pass through the World War I battlefields in the Valley of the Somme.  Kicking off night one, we arrive in none other than the lust-worthy Paris. You have the chance to see the Eiffel Tower tonight, but save some of the views for the city tour tomorrow!

Today's the day to stroll the beautiful streets of Paris. We'll kick off with a tour of the city's best sights. Then you've got time to lust over designer haute couture or French vintage stores, admire the Notre Dame Cathedral, order coffee and crêpes, or get artsy at the many museums of the Louvre. Tonight, foodies will have the chance to eat a Parisian feast in Montmartre, surrounded by cobbled lanes, village-esque cafes, street artists and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Otherwise, this is your night to sign up for an iconic Parisian cabaret show. Either option will give you the perfect way to make it one to remember!

Out with the city life, in with the fresh mountain air. On leaving Paris we’ll coast through the pretty wine producing region of Burgundy before crossing the border to Switzerland. With magical views unfolding outside our windows we'll find ourselves in Switzerland, ready for two nights at our accommodation in the heart of this traditional resort town. Tonight we'll have a chance to soak up the idyllic scenery, as well as load up on Swiss chocolate.

Open the window of your room and drink in the incredible view. Today you’re free to explore this classic European adventure town. Feeling extra adventurous? You also have the option to ascend Jungfrau mountain, aka ‘the Top of Europe’.

It’s been sweet, but we’re swapping Switzerland back for France again this morning. But first, there's just time for one last breath of fresh mountain air. A quick lunch break in the home of the UN's headquarters and a view of that oh so famous water fountain. Grab a bite to eat and a last mouthful of delish swiss chocolate (try saying that three times fast) and then we'll be on our way. 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...

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 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.

Bye-bye Beaujolais! And hello 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. Well would you look at that for timing, we've pulled into Barcelona just on sangria o'clock. Fate, you've done it again! Tapas and a night exploring the city should have us in the Spanish mood before we know it.

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 optional but highly recommended 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.

Relaxation on the French Riviera... what could be better?! Market hopping, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea and an optional bike ride with the coastline as the backdrop are on the agenda today.  This evening we add even more glamour to your life with a visit to Monaco. Don a fancy necklace and pop a plum in your mouth - we're about to embark on the lifestyle of the rich and famous. After a night on the blackjack table it's back to the coast and to bed, the next part of the adventure starts tomorrow.

Wake up and smell the… French perfume! Today you’ll visit a Perfumery, where you’ll take a look around and even have the chance to craft a signature scent of your own. Afterwards, it’s farewell to the French Riviera and off to Italy. Pizza, pasta, and charming locals are just around the corner. 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 ready for tomorrow's magical agenda.

Buongiorno! We'll start exploring The Floating City by jumping aboard our own private motoscafo boat and cruising the canals en route to the historical heart of the city. Next, you have the option to discover Venice on a traditional gondola ride, or taking a guided tour of some of the best foodie hotspots in town.

After winding through the Apennine Mountains & visiting the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, we'll glide through Tuscany towards Renaissance Florence. Here we will drink up the secret streets & sacred art around the city's towering Duomo Cathedral. No trip around Europe is complete without seeing the world's most famous #AwkwardLean, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Once you've got that perfect snap of you holding the thing up like you're Arnold Schwarzenegger, we'll be on the fast-track to Florence. The dome of Duomo Cathedral sits above the city making certain we know we have arrived in Florence. Tonight you can choose to begin your Tuscan love affair at a Free Time Add-On dinner - think olives, pastas, focaccia, meats & wine.

This morning is the perfect balance of guided local wisdom and free time to roam. First we'll uncover the beautiful art of traditional leatherwork, then you’re free to make the most of your final hours in Florence. Finally with a heartfelt ‘ciao’ to Florence, we’re bound for the epicentre of Italy: the Eternal City of Rome. After we drift through the rustic Tuscan hillsides of cypress trees and glowing fields, we'll be back city side in the Italian capital of Rome. Starting with a city walking tour, the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon & Piazza Navona are just some of the icons we'll be casting our eyes upon before the sun sets.

When in Rome... This is the day to learn a thing or two about the Colosseum on an optional guided tour. Espressos and people watching should be high priority, as well as stuffing yourself to the brim with pasta, gelato and caprese salad all washed down with a glass of red at a local trattoria.

The majestic site of Mt. Vesuvius will interlude our trip from Rome to Brindisi, our ferry port for today's border leap into Greece. Once a totally vibing hang-out of the Romans, Pompeii is now an archaeological site showing remains of what was destroyed by a mountain eruption in the year...wait for it...79AD. The saying "step back in time" will take on a whole new meaning on an optional guided tour.   Let your feet walk their last few steps on Italian soil before we hit the seas for an overnight ferry ride en route to Greece.

Full steam ahead this morning, our course is set for Athens via the Corinth Canal. Oh hello there...we're pulling up in Greece! The awe of Greece's mainland will begin shortly as we catch a glimpse of the Corinth Canal. This man-made passageway squeezes boats through it's path, sandwiched by two steep cliffs and sitting over glorious blue ocean. Docking here, we’ll make tracks overland for Athens. A collage of ancient wonders & modern magnificence, the allure of Athens is hard to resist. We'll jump straight in with a sightseeing tour of Athens. Our Local Guide will escort us through the history of the city visiting the Parthenon & Acropolis, followed by a visit to the first & original 'modern' (read: 1896) Olympic stadium.

This morning is ours to soak up the last few hours of Athens, before we swap one ancient city for another and jet plane it to Cairo. Landing in Cairo, we'll find a city of ornate mosques, sparkling skyscrapers & sprawling avenues of 19th-century faded grandeur awaiting us. Egypt's capital is full of energy, but we'll save the proper exploring for tomorrow. Tonight, you can choose to cruise across the Nile with a buffet dinner & show?

Get ready for a sensory overload of the best possible variety. Markets & mayhem are on every corner, and the epic Egyptian Museum's awaiting your visit. Be ready to be mind-blown. Of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World only one remains, and today you will be seeing it up close and personal. Get the tissues ready, seeing the iconic Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza in all their 4,600 year old glory will make for a day that stirs you to the very core. Tonight it's an overnight train to Aswan - nothing gives you a more up-close look at a place than riding local!

Today is all about the African vibes - how easy it is to forget that Egypt actually spans North Africa!In Aswan you'll be pleased to no end by colourful markets, bakeries & cafes. Walk along the Nile before we hop aboard a wooden felucca sailboat and float alongside the lush botanical gardens.

Enjoy waking up to the Nile and sand dunes as your backdrop, while you sip your coffee and ponder just how good life is. Today you have the option to explore Abu Simbel's Temple of Ramses II, our local guide will uncover the history of one of the world's most iconic sites dating back to 1264 BC. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is a must-do for history buffs and those looking to get in the know on this ancient site.  After a few drinks with the team we'll continue our epic journey, following the yellow desert road to Luxor.

Only on a trip to Egypt would ancient royal tombs make a casual appearance on our daily agenda. Venturing to the Valley of the Kings known as 'City of the Dead,' our local guide will take us to some of the 63 royal tombs found here. Later, choose to visit the Temple of Karnak where we can find the world’s largest religious structure, the Temple of Amun. Across the Eastern Desert to the Red Sea Resort of Hurghada - tonight we are retracing ancient trade routes & getting in the mood for tomorrow's day of ocean magnificence.

No matter which choose-your-own-adventure path you take today, it's probably going to land you submerged in the sea and absorbing a good burst of Egyptian sunshine. If beach hangs aren't quite enough, take the optional cruise to the jaw dropping coral reefs of the Red Sea & see if that hits the spot. Back to where our Egyptian odyssey kicked off - the colourful city of Cairo. It's our last evening here before we head back to Europe and reconnect with the rest of the pack. Make the most of it.

That's it for Egypt, time to hit the skies and head back to Europe where another 21-days of endless extraordinary times are waiting for us. Oh hey Athens, it feels like forever since we last hung out! And same goes for our Contiki posse. You have the option to discover the historical Plaka district tonight. Enjoy this reunion night then it's back on the road tomorrow - the good times never stop.

By now you should be well and truly acquainted with all things Athens and ready to embark on our next venture. Before arrival in our final destination in this fine country we'll see the grounds of Thermopylae, where an ancient battle of 300 vs. thousands proved size really doesn't matter. The coastal town of Kavala is our nest for the evening. Down your last Greek salad, cheers the country over a glass of ouzo and sleep well in preparation for our next few days in Turkey.

Get your pout out and blow your final kiss in the direction of Greece. We'll be carving up the seas making our way to...Turkey! Ah, the traveller life. We'll start our Turkish explorations on a sobering note by visiting the battle grounds of Gallipoli. This is the spot where the ANZAC troops landed during WW1. Hello Eceabat! This stunning seaside town will be our home for tonight. Rest your heads. Get some sleep. And get ready for another wonderful day tomorrow.

Morning, travellers. Today, we'll travel along the coast to the capital. Unlike anywhere else on earth, Istanbul is set to capture your heart and imagination. Rest up tonight and the city is yours from sunrise.

The Blue Mosque with its interior of 20,000 handmade tiles; lively spice markets; bazaars bursting at the sides with silver & jewels. Istanbul is one place we'll really have to drag you away from. Our Local Guide will show you the hotspots, and you're always free to  get lost and uncover some secrets of your own. Just be sure to find your way back if you're keen for the optional Turkish evening with dinner and a show.

A city like this needs more than a day on our calendar. Take in the sites you missed yesterday or if you're all explored out, go unwind at a "hammam" spa for a Turkish bath. Then drink endless tea and eat  your body weight in baklava and you've had the full Turkey experience.

Crossing the border from Turkey to Bulgaria, we'll arrive at the Black Sea late afternoon. Here we'll be greeted by coastal resort towns and bar-lined waterfronts, where we'll be heading this evening to enjoy some dinner and a taste of the local nightlife.

This morning we'll set our sights on Romania.  Crossing the border, we'll arrive in Bucharest this afternoon to discover beautiful architecture, street art, rooftop cafes, and an ornate Parliament building with enough steel, bronze, marble, crystal and wood that combine to make it the heaviest in the world! You'll have free time this afternoon and evening to explore the city, maybe checking out the colourful umbrella passage between Universitate and Victoriei, or tasting an authentic traditional meal in the Old City at one of the local bistros.

Departing Bucharest after breakfast, we'll set our sights for none other than Transylvania. Of course, a stay in Transylvania wouldn't be complete without a drive to Bran Castle to visit the real life setting that inspired Dracula, before driving on towards Târgu Mureș. With a free evening tonight, you'll also have the chance to explore the local nightlife and bar scene.

We'll leave behind the ghosts of Transylvania's past and hit the road for Budapest.  Fun fact #1: Buda and Pest are two different cities separated by a river, together they make Budapest. Fun fact #2: You're going to be head over heels with both of them by the time we scoot outta here. Down goulash and cabbage rolls on tonight's optional cruise to get into the Hungarian spirit of things.

Throw yourself into the optional sightseeing this morning with the church of St. Matthias, the Royal Palace and the Chain Bridge. That way you'll really earn an afternoon soaking in the city's famous outdoor thermal pools set amongst Art Nouveau architecture. Blissed out in Budapest - there's an insta caption for you.

Bye Budapest! Normally we’d be devastated to be leaving, but with Austria on the horizon we have strudel and music to look forward to. Onwards and upwards we go, into the mountain ranges that made the Sound of Music famous. Also home to Mozart, you can be pretty certain Salzburg knows a tune! This evening you’ll have the chance to venture off the beaten track and visit a working farm in the hills above Salzburg where the local family will invite us into their home to eat, drink and learn about their lives. This family have lived on the farm for many generations and now look to tourism to help support them and their local community, with food sourced from local farms and fruit for the schnaps from the village.

Morning Salzburg! Today you’ll have the chance to sign up for a tour of the Sights & Sounds of Salzburg before we say goodbye to Salzburg and continue on in our discovery of Austria. Breathe in that fresh alpine air and take in the dreamy setting we’ve descended upon. Here in the Austrian Tyrol we'll be resting up in a Contiki Special Stay, a local Austrian Gasthof (guest house) that's waiting for us with open arms. This is the perfect cosy retreat to relax and swap stories with our crew, while tucking into authentic Austrian food and local beer prepared fresh on site.

Wake up, peel open your curtains, and take in the magnificence of your view...and your life in general. If you're feeling lively you can jump onto a bike tour through green mountains and waterfalls. Or even go tandem paragliding! Not so lively? Stroll around and take in the incredible setting; drink endless hot chocolate, go up a mountain in a gondola, carry on sighing with happiness.

Polish off your stay in Austria with an optional whitewater rafting adventure - that should get the adrenaline pumping and excitement high for our impending visit to Germany. A city famous the world over for its annual beer festival is a city we need to know about. And luckily enough, its Bavarian culture is a year round attraction. You can explore the side streets of Munich on an optional bike tour, or go it on your own and see what you stumble upon.

Today it’s goodbye Germany, hello Czech. But first, we have an important stop to make. Journeying out of Munich, we’ll make a stop at Dachau for a sobering visit to the Dachau concentration camp memorial. You'll be able to spend some time here to learn and reflect, before we head on to Prague. Lunch time! After a brief stopover in this old town, we'll hit the road once again. On arrival in the compact & lovable city of Prague, we'll get out and go exploring, seeing castles and cathedrals and learning of Bohemian Kings & Queens and gothic history. The evening will see us immerse ourselves in Czech culture with an optional Traditional Czech evening, featuring a folklore show and dinner.

Today is the day we get to know the real Prague. Don't miss our optional 'Hidden Prague' adventure, where a local guide will show us the city's best kept secrets. Then, the night is yours to amble around the Old Town Square and find a few haunts to let the hours slip away in.

You may have fallen head over heels for Prague, but we have so many more places to be! Back on the coach, we'll roll on to our next country, Germany. A drive from Prague to Berlin wouldn't be complete without stopping in Dresden. Sadly destroyed by World War II, the rebuilt town is now a symbol of resilience, soaked in the beauty of an Opera house, the domed Frauenkirche, & the Royal Residence. We'll spot them all on a tour of the best spots before hitting the road again. On the world map of party vibes, Berlin has a gold star. We've got two nights to explore every inch of this iconic city, and we'll kick it off by seeing the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall known as East Side Gallery and one of the city's symbols, covered in graffiti from head to toe followed by an included dinner.

Today you'll have the chance to really uncover Berlin. You can opt to take a historical walking tour, including a visit to the site of Hitler's bunker. 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 in the Tiergarten, or catch the U-bahn to one of Berlin's quirky neighbourhoods. This evening you'll also have the chance to join an alternative walking tour of the city, showing you a side of Berlin not often seen by tourists. 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.

We’ll journey out of Germany today and travel through the gloriously flat Netherlands with Amsterdam in our sights.  We'll enjoy an included dinner in Amsterdam this evening, then it’s off to explore the city however you like. Whatever eclectic fantasies you have about Amsterdam, the real life version will impress you more. Fire yourself up for pretty canals, bounty of unique museums, a comedy show (if you fancy) and quirky cafes galore.

Today starts with some free time to explore Amsterdam however you like. Hitting up the bars here, strolling the charming streets or even visiting the STRAAT museum - there's plenty to keep you busy. It's been 44 days of jaw-dropping exploration so why not treat yourself to an optional farewell dinner. Then you can choose to cruise the canals as your very last group experience of this trip.

Get your tissues ready, it's time to say goodbye to your new Contiki family. If required, we can escort you to Schiphol Airport by about 10am. This afternoon we cross from France to England and then back to London-town, where you'll be left to start dreaming up your next big adventure.