European Discovery (Start-End London, Summer, Classic) - 12 Days

Who is this trip for
Age range
18 - 35Start / End
- London
- London
Physical rating
Group size
1 - 50Meals included
15Highlights
- Sankt Goar: Visit a local stein store and learn how the famous German steins are crafted, and as a bonus we will show you the worlds largest free hanging Cuckoo-clock!
- 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!
- 1 Lunch (L)
- Paris: Your chance to learn the art of fragrance at a Parisian perfume house. You know it makes scents! (soz).
- Paris: Climb to the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower for an unbeatable vista of the ‘City of Light’.
- 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.
- Lucerne: Check out the Wooden Chapel Bridge and the giant sandstone Lion Monument.
- Florence: See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria on a locally guided walking tour of Florence.
- Rome: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking off some sights on your bucket list!
- Venice: Life’s all about the waterways here; there’s not an Uber in sight! Get some classic pics of the famous gondola boats.
- Lorelei: It’s the stuff of legends. Literally. A singing mermaid named Lorelei is said to sit on the rock, enchanting fishermen before luring them to their demise. Eek!
- Amsterdam: Best way to break the ice? By breaking bread of course. You and your new besties can bond over dinner before heading out to explore.
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Dinner (D)
- Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice.
- Munich: We'll make a stop at a traditional Bavarian ‘Bier Halle’. Grab your Contiki crew and a beer. Prost!
- Sankt Goar: Take a scenic glide down the river, past fairytale castles, Baroque spires and timbered German houses.
- Dinkelsbühl: Seatbelts on! Today we're driving along 'Romantische Straße' AKA Germany's most scenic route, winding through picturesque medieval towns, fairy-tale castles, and breathtaking landscapes.
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Summary
Ready for the beginning of your sweet love affair with Europe? This European Discovery tour uncovers Europe’s finest in 12 days, complete with Bavarian beer & a visit to a French perfumery. We'll discover Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Munich, Venice & Florence, flirting with many more destinations along the way, from a traditional German beer hall to lunch at a local Italian farm (on us). You’ll get a taste for all the best bits of the continent and travel through 6 countries in one trip. By the time you get back to London you'll be completely smitten.
Itinerary
Day 1
London to Amsterdam
Your heart-pounding adventure kicks off today. Meet up with your the supplier 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 - 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, the fun-famed Amsterdam is yours to explore in all its glory.
Day 2
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is as cute as it comes & sure to win your heart with its cobbled main streets, canalside views, obscure museums & a cafe culture like no other. Today, you're free to use your time to get local, bar hop, museum crawl, or sign up to check out the STRAAT museum (located in a former NDSM shipyard), or just explore! If you're hungry to taste your way through the local culture, this place is famous for Dutch pancakes, frites, cheese, stroopwafels and coffee – or you can take the opportunity to visit the small Dutch fishing village of Volendam for an optional dinner. Tonight, you have the option to sign up for an iconic cruise through Amsterdam, complete with an onboard bar.
Day 3
Amsterdam to Rhine Valley
Amsterdam, it's been lovely, but it's time to say 'tot ziens!' because this afternoon we're setting off for our next country, Germany. After the scenic journey of fairytale 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 host for the optional wine-tasting experience this evening.
Day 4
Rhine Valley to Munich via Dinkelsbühl
Too much grape juice last night? Not to worry, the prospect of this Bavarian hidden gem should lift your spirits as we travel south & swap wine culture for beer. Quintessential German experiences don't get much better than visiting this charming medieval town. We'll stroll the cobblestoned streets, checking out vibrant market squares and picturesque half-timbered houses along the way. 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 (or by a bike on an optional guided tour!). 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!
Day 5
Munich to Venice
Goodbye Munich, hello mountains. Today we're crossing the Bavarian Alps and hitting the road for Italy. And just like that, we're in a new country and a whole new vibe. Ah, Venice! Fresh pasta, lilting accents & romantic architecture - we've arrived in one of Italy's most famous cities. Your jaw will hit the floor over hidden lanes, story book bridges & a private Motoscafi ride. What next? There are a bunch of optional experiences lined up to help you experience this city - gondola rides, venetian dinners, all the good stuff.
Day 6
Venice to Rome via Baschi
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. But first, we have an epic, included MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience to enjoy. Casale Polegri is set within the gorgeous town of Baschi, where we'll meet the Polegri family. These guys have run their vineyard and olive orchard for generations, and after giving us the grand tour, will serve us lunch. As we overlook the Umbrian landscape, enjoying some of the most authentic Italian food we've ever tasted (topped off with the Polegri's very own wine, naturally), we might reflect that we've never had it so good. It's the kind of local travel experience you don't encounter every day. 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!
Day 7
Rome
Rome wasn't built in a day - so get up and get going early to make the most of this ancient city. Hit the streets for your own discoveries. Or choose to take a guided tour of the Colosseum. Throw coins in fountains and sip espresso in a pretty street watching Italian life float by. And even join the optional food tour we've got planned in the city!
Day 8
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. 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.
Day 9
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. Today, you've got the option to take a lake cruise to check out all the Apline scenery. You're in the Swiss Alps & you cannot wipe the smile off your face!
Day 10
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. Lamp-lit bridges, a sparkling Eiffel Tower, & evening coffee haunts, tonight we fall in love with everything Paris. Our Trip Manager fills us in on the city's secrets, then to celebrate our first night in the city, we'll head up the Montparnasse Tower.
Day 11
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 rooms of the Louvre. Just don't wear yourself out, you will probably want to get involved with an optional ticket to an iconic cabaret show and dinner. With your last night looming, make it one to remember in the city of lights.
Day 12
Paris to London
Soak up your last dose of Paris this morning over a coffee and croissant and marvel at how much you've seen. And, how close you've grown to your new the supplier pals. Sob! Hop back on the coach for a complimentary transfer to CDG airport this morning, or stay onboard for the ride back to London. Plenty of time to start planning the next reunion...This concludes our 12-day Europe itinerary. What a journey! Say a fond farewell to the group as you wrap up the trip on arrival in London.
What's Included
Accommodation
Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar), Hotel Montag Sankt Goar (or similar), Ibis Munich City South (or similar), Venice Palace (or similar), Pineta Palace Hotel Roma (or similar), Hotel Auto Park (or similar), Barabas Hotel Luzern (or similar), Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel (or similar)
Meals
Breakfasts: 11, Lunches: 1, Dinners: 3
Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
Vegetarian options availableLocal Guide
GuidedThis adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
Wifi
Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.
Dates & Prices
Aug 25
from £2,171Sep 25
from £1,737Oct 25
from £2,171
- Save 5%Thu 11 Sep 2025 > Mon 22 Sep 2025Guaranteed Departure6+ spaces of 50 left£2,285£2,171
- Save 5%Sat 20 Sep 2025 > Wed 1 Oct 2025Guaranteed Departure6+ spaces of 50 left£2,399£2,279
- Save 24%Thu 25 Sep 2025 > Mon 6 Oct 2025Guaranteed Departure6+ spaces of 50 left£2,285Best offer£1,737
Customer reviews & ratings
Contiki was incredible! *Personal information removed by Feefo* and our incredible driver *Personal information removed by Feefo* made the experience unforgettable. We had so many amazing experiences I don’t think my brain can process. The only downside was the accommodation. Most accommodation was either very far away costing a lot in taxis and Ubers or some were very dirty unfortunately resulting in bed bugs and moldy showers. *Personal information removed by Feefo* made us feel so safe and welcome and loved and he will always hold the biggest place in my heart.
Anonymous Jul, 2025 Verifiedeverything was perfect with this trip! accomodation, travel locations, events everything was planned so well. my trip planner *Personal information removed by Feefo* and driver *Personal information removed by Feefo* were amazing too! things wouldn’t of gone so smoothly without them. all the friends we made along the way are amazing too, it was so fun meeting so many new people!
Anonymous Jul, 2025 Verified
Essential trip information
Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.
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