European Highlights (Paris to London, Classic) - 14 Days

Who is this trip for
Age range
18 - 35Start / End
- Paris
- London
Physical rating
Group size
1 - 50Meals included
17Highlights
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 13 Breakfast (B)
- Dover: See the iconic chalk-white coastline. So special that it’s had songs dedicated to it.
- 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.
- Edam: Explore all the windmills, canals and dikes on two wheels.
- Sankt Goar: Take in the breath-taking scenery of the River Rhine.
- Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site: Take a somber but impactful visit to the site of a World War II concentration camp in Munich.
- Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice.
- Rome: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking off some sights on your bucket list!
- Pisa: Your ultimate chance to ‘hold the tower up’ as you pose for that classic Insta snap.
- 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).
- French Riviera: Glide through the winding coastal roads of the French Riviera with your Contiki crew.
- 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!
- Fontainebleau: There’s your everyday châteaux and then there’s Château de Fontainebleau. The medieval palace was once home to Napoleon. And it’s another level of luxe.
Talk to a travel expert
Our experts are ready to perfect your trip with personalised advice on itineraries, transfers, and local tips.
Email UsCall Us: 0208 004 8886
Free Brochure
Uncover insider tips, see a packing list and view a detailed itinerary and accommodation information.
Summary
This trip delivers a highlight reel of European beauty, history, culture, and food over two unforgettable weeks. The perfect loop that will see you gawping at the glittering lights of Paris one moment to gliding through Venetian canals the next. Oh, and did we mention the French Riviera and a stay at the supplier's legendary private chateau? This European highlights tour has twinkling cities, lush vineyards, and enough culture to fill a thousand journals - it truly has it all.
Itinerary
Day 1
London to Paris
Join forces in London & get to know the wolf pack you're about to take on Europe with. We'll hit the road this morning and make tracks for two weeks of adventure. 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 will travel via World War I battlefields in the Valley of the Somme, before reaching... Paris! Pop the champagne, dial up the romance, & pass the escargot - we're in Paris, baby! Don't waste a second unpacking, we're going to hit the streets and see how this city comes alive by night.
Day 2
Paris
Today's the day to stroll the beautiful streets of Paris, with plenty of 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!
Day 3
Paris to Beaujolais Wine Region via Fontainebleau
Farewell French capital! We're off in search of charming countryside & legit, straight from the source, vino. With its medieval stature and grand surrounding ponds, Château Fontainebleau will take your breath away. We'll amble around the gardens then recommence our scenic journey to Beaujolais. Tonight's the night we camp out at the supplier’s very own 16th century château. We say "camp" - LOL. This might be the most royal experience of your life. Wine tasting at the château’s working winery is just one of the ways we'll kill time while we're here. Please note: On occasion, certain departures will be moved from the supplier’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.
Day 4
Beaujolais Wine Region to French Riviera
Missing an opportunity to see this glorious part of the world up close and personal would be criminal. Speaking of things you shouldn't miss on your European Highlights tour, this region is famous for lavender honey, aioli & rosé wine; all 3 in one meal should be your mission.
Day 5
French Riviera (Including Monaco City)
This morning we'll take in the crystal blue waters of the Riviera, cobble stone streets and charming markets! Later we take a scenic drive along the Côte d'Azur as we make our way to the heart of it all, Monaco. A night in glamorous Monaco should complete your day slash life. Don a fancy necklace and pop a plum in your mouth - we're about to embark on the lifestyle of the rich and the 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.
Day 6
French Riviera to Florence via Pisa
After almost a week in France you'll be full to the brim with all things French and ready for new ground. Italy, perhaps? 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.
Day 7
Florence to Rome
This morning is a perfect balance of guided wisdom and free time to roam. We'll uncover the beautiful art of traditional leather & explore streets bursting with heritage before eventually hitting the road for Rome. And you thought your morning was interesting! 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 its glory by night. Gelato, pizza and ancient monuments - perfecto!
Day 8
Rome
Rise and shine, Rome awaits us! Today will be a whirlwind of Roman architecture and bucket list sights as we uncover all of Rome’s key features. There’s also the option to head back in time and discover Rome of the Emperors and Gladiators.
Day 9
Rome to Venice
We may be hitting the road again, but we're not done with Italy just yet. We have one more city to lust over... Venice is yours for this glorious Italian afternoon. We'll be jumping aboard our own private boat and hitting the canals en route to the historical heart of the city. A gondola ride is up for grabs, or you can always choose to get lost on your own and see where the maze takes you.
Day 10
Venice to Munich via Tyrol
Confident we have ticked off all the Italian essentials, we can now leg it to Germany. After all the sophistication and glamour of France and Italy, a few beers and the chance to wear Bavarian suspenders will be precisely what we feel like. Wind through the Austrian Alps to lively Munich. Bavarian culture, a famous Glockenspiel and charm aplenty; Munich doesn't just turn it on during Oktoberfest! Explore peaceful gardens and legendary beer halls or join in the bike tour and explore the side streets you wouldn't usually see.
Day 11
Munich to Rhine Valley via Dachau
Today it’s goodbye Munich, hello wine country. 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 the Rhine Valley. 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 wine tasting host for the evening.
Day 12
Rhine Valley to Amsterdam via Edam
This morning we'll drag you all away from Germany kicking and screaming that you want to stay forever. Only to see you equally infatuated with another dot on the European map hours later... You know the cheese, and now you're going to know the place that pioneered it. We'll cycle into the countryside admiring windmills in Edam. Pretty canals lined with quaint crooked houses and cafes bursting with life. Amsterdam is all that and way more than what you could ever imagine. This evening, opt to take the A'DAM lookout swing, an incredible observation deck with unrivalled panoramas of the twisting canals below.
Day 13
Amsterdam
It's our last full day on trip & our last night to party up a storm with the squad. Use the day to explore quirky museums & sample the endless array of cuisines this city has on offer. The best way to say farewell to this gorgeous city? Opt to hop on the classic Amsterdam canal cruise and then bite into fluffy Dutch pancakes for dinner. So good!
Day 14
Amsterdam to London
Down your breakfast and wipe away your tears - this is always the worst day of the trip. We'll escort you to Schiphol Airport by about 10am for those leaving us in the canal lined city. For those not leaving us until London, we'll travel south through Belgium, then cross into France to Calais. We'll make our way back to London-town, where you'll be left to start dreaming up your next big adventure. This concludes your 14-day trip to Europe. What a journey! Say a fond farewell to the group as you wrap up the trip on arrival in London.
What's Included
Accommodation
Jo&Joe Gentilly (or similar), Château de Cruix (or similar), Villa Saint Exupery Beach (or similar), Hotel Auto Park (or similar), Casa San Juan (or similar), Anda Venice Hostel (or similar), Ramada Encore by Wyndham Munich Messe (or similar), Hotel Montag Sankt Goar (or similar), Via Hostel Amsterdam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfasts: 13, Lunches: 0, Dinners: 4
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
Sep 25
from £1,945Apr 26
from £1,557May 26
from £1,686Jun 26
from £1,686Jul 26
from £1,739Aug 26
from £1,686Sep 26
from £1,686
- Save 5%Wed 1 Apr 2026 > Tue 14 Apr 20266+ spaces of 50 leftPay Monthly£1,639Best offer£1,557Book for£150 today, pay the rest later
- Save 5%Sat 11 Apr 2026 > Fri 24 Apr 2026Guaranteed Departure6+ spaces of 50 leftPay Monthly£1,639Best offer£1,557Book for£150 today, pay the rest later
- Save 5%Wed 29 Apr 2026 > Tue 12 May 20266+ spaces of 50 leftPay Monthly£1,719£1,633Book for£150 today, pay the rest later
Customer reviews & ratings
I loved France and would go back in a heartbeat with special mention to Paris and Nice. French people are a lot kinder then people give them credit for being in Nice was like being in a poem. I loved the perfumery tour, visiting l’ Orangerie, the canals of Amsterdam and Venice and even the sweltering heat of Italy- which reminded me of being back home. Touring Rome was dreamlike and dining in Florence was a treat. The tiramisu was 10/10. I mostly enjoyed the moments between, when we were all human with each other. Trying to figure out washing machines at 12 am together, giving each other flu medication when we all inevitably got sick, getting excited when we would run into someone else from our group during our free time, getting drunk with strangers and wandering around a foreign city, sharing vapes, getting in the metro together. The intimacy of travelling in a large group and how that somehow bonds you together.
Lisha Govender Aug, 2024 VerifiedMy highlight of the trip was going to Nice! It was so much fun to do the bike ride with the group, relax by the beach and then go out with every one! And our Contiki leader recommended some great places to go out too
Anonymous Aug, 2024 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.
Still have questions?
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.
Why book with us
Help Change The World
We collaborate with local businesses and communities.
Best Price Guaranteed
We won't be beaten on price. If you find this adventure at a lower price please get in touch!
You're In Good Hands
We work with trusted tour operators around the world.
You're spoilt for choice
We have the best choice of adventures on the market.