Jet off to the trip of a lifetime awaiting you in Europe!

Check-in to your hotel after 2pm and the remainder of the day is free to relax before meeting your fellow travellers at 6pm. After dinner take a short walk to explore nearby Covent Garden.

Meet up with your fellow travellers and Contiki Crew, as you start your 46 day adventure. Your Tour Manager knows all the ins and outs of where you’re going and your tour’s own Mobile Cook will make sure you get big portions of tasty meals, made from fresh, local produce.

We hit the road and take a ferry past the White Cliffs of Dover and travel via World War 1 battle fields in the Valley of the Somme to Paris.

Tonight, the group kick starts Paris with the “Tour of Illuminations”, which shows off the French capital’s transformation into the “City of Lights”. Lamp-lit bridges and cool little cafés give us a real taste of Paris’ romance. Your Tour Manager will fill you in on the world’s most-recognised monuments, like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.

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Today’s journey leads us to Contiki’s exclusive Château de Cruix nestled in the Beaujolais vineyards near Lyon.

• Contiki Special Stopover

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This morning explore the French countryside and enjoy your included picnic lunch. In the afternoon relax and soak up the idyllic atmosphere of rural France.

• Contiki Special Stopover

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Our journey south today takes us to the impressive Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard. As we skim past the Pyrénées we catch our first glimpse of the world-famous Mediterranean and arrive in vibrant Barcelona.

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First stop: Mont Juic. The hilltop has full-blown vistas of the city and it’s where we stop to check out the 1992 Olympic Games complex. Afterward get a look into the wild imagination of famous Spanish architect, Gaudi, with his art nouveau masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia cathedral. Your Tour Manager walks you through the cobbled lanes of Barcelona’s oldest district, the Gothic Quarter.

Then there’s free time to discover more of Barcelona’s creative core. Pick up some quirky buys in the side streets or hit the big label shops on Plaça de Catalunya. Take in all of Barcelona’s buzzing street life on the tree-lined La Rambla – a boulevard packed with street performers, artists, shops and stalls.

Other ideas for your afternoon off include hanging out in the colourful gardens of Parc Guell or kicking back with the locals on the beach and taking a swim in the Mediterranean sea. There’s plenty of delicious local seafood to try like Spain’s signature dish, paella.

Tonight’s optional dinner and show is a perfect way to finish off your time in this hot city and a chance to get into the local flavours with a Flamenco dance performance and some sangria. Afterward, get the low down on Barcelona’s hottest spots and maybe hit the pumping clubs of Port Olympico, by the water.

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We return to France today and travel through the beautiful Provence region to Arles. Wander through the streets as the Romans once did in this historic town, before continuing to the glamorous French Riviera.

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Next stop on the Riviera and home to the French perfume industry is Fragonard Perfumery. Learn about how perfume is made and some of its more surprising ingredients. It’s also a chance to pick up a bottle or 2 at great prices.

In your free time live a bit of the lifestyle with a visit to the local markets. Try out the region’s produce like lavender honey, aioli (garlic mayonnaise) and mouth-watering rosé wine.

Window shop the chic boutiques or choose a beach and catch some sun among all the bronzed bodies!

Tonight get a taste of the high life in Monaco, the glamorous principality packed into just 1.92km2 and home to the Formula 1. Get the inside story on the royal family and their place of residence from your Tour Manager. Try your luck at a casino later on.

• Contiki Village

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Today we leave France and enter Italy! We skim past the seaside city of Genoa and stop in Verona, home of Romeo and Juliet, before arriving in mainland Venice.

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Known as the “floating city” Venice is packed with character, crammed with hidden lanes and linked by a network of canals.

The group travels on our private boat through the waters of the lagoon to visit the city’s historical heart. The limestone Bridge of Sighs, the gothic arches of Doges’ Palace and the expanse of St Mark’s Square (pigeons and all!) show off Venice’s unique beauty and way of life.

Learn about local artistry with a traditional glass blowing demonstration – a craft the city has been famous for since the 13th century.

Take some time to explore the floating city and lose yourself in the backstreets. There’s an optional walking tour where you can discover the labyrinth of interweaving lanes, waterways, palaces, piazzi and markets with our Local Guide. You’ll see historic monuments, hidden treasures and the Rialto market – a local favourite for food shopping.

Maybe grab a table on St Mark’s Square and eat some delicious Italian food al fresco.

Cap off the day with an optional gondola ride with your friends. Take a bottle of prosecco (Italian champagne) and toast this unforgettable experience as you are punted through the waterways.

• Contiki Village

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We travel to Pisa, home of the famous Leaning Tower. From here it’s a short journey to the most spectacular of Renaissance cities, Florence.

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Jump start the day uncovering this open-air museum and its city centre.

Our Local Guide gives you the inside track as the group learns about Florence’s cultural beginnings and explores streets crammed with artworks from masters like Michelangelo. Then take a look into a skillful demonstration of Florentine leather making and understand this region’s traditional art.

With bargains and bustle, the city’s markets are a great place to hang out. Grab a gelato and enjoy this gorgeous city.

Tonight, there’s a choice of a group dinner – an authentic Tuscan feast. Try regional dishes in the heart of Florence. Then keep it moving with a night out and get your groove on at Florence’s biggest club.

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All roads lead to Rome where our included sightseeing tour is the perfect introduction to the Eternal City. This afternoon why not discover this city of Gladiators with a local guide? Then, do as the Romans do and stroll past the Trevi Fountain, the amazing Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.

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This morning, make the most of our Local Guide’s inside knowledge and uncover the remains of an ancient empire with a fantastic optional tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum.

Then check-out the smallest country in the world and home to the Pope, the Vatican City. You’ve got plenty of time to take a closer look at St Peter’s Basilica or Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel.

Take off into the city and absorb the atmosphere, as vespas flash past timeworn monuments that are surrounded by fountains, pizzerias, cafes and bars. Before you hit the shops, let your Tour Manager point you in the right direction with some tips on the best buys.

In your free time, live the local lifestyle by indulging in a long lunch on a paved piazza or knock back a shot of espresso at the bar, like the Romans do.

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A chance to take a guided tour of the ancient city of Pompeii as we travel across Italy to board our overnight ferry to Athens.

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From Patras we cross the famous Corinth canal before arriving in historic Athens. This afternoon enjoy an included sightseeing tour of this wonderful city with a local guide. The tour incorporates many sights of this ancient city and includes a visit to the Acropolis and Parthenon.

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Ferry to the striking beauty of Mykonos, a Greek island of white-washed houses, windmills and sapphire-blue water. This is your time to relax and adapt to Greek island life – sun-soaked beaches by day and cool bars and clubs by night.

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Back to mainland Greece, we journey across the Peloponnese, through the mountains to the coastal town of Preveza, a fishing village known for its friendly locals.

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Crossing the Albanian border, we follow the scenic valley interwoven by the numerous remains of the defensive bunkers built years ago. We see the Adriatic Sea on our way to our Durres resort. (Note: During peak periods the night in Durres may be substituted with a night in Tirana).

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Heading north we pass Shkoder before crossing into Montenegro. This afternoon we join the coast, once a favourite retreat of Europe’s royalty and make our way on to Croatia and our accommodation in Dubrovnik.

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Today’s sightseeing shows us one of Europe’s most breathtaking locations and the jewel of the Croatian coastline, the picturesque walled city of Dubrovnik. In your free time enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage Site by taking a walk along the old town walls or relaxing on the beach.

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On our way to Zadar we follow the Dalmatian Coast, enjoying the scenic archipelago that mixes stunning blue waters with the many islands. A short stop in Split gives you time to wander through the Roman remains of Diocletian’s Palace.

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Today it’s on to the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. Tonight take some time to stroll the narrow streets of the old town or maybe relax in a cafe to the tunes of local street musicians.

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Today we waltz into the home of Mozart and Strauss to see the capital of the once mighty Austrian Empire, Vienna. Classical music to heighten your senses tonight?

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On our sightseeing tour see the fabulous Palace of the Hapsburgs, the State Opera House and fashionable Kärntnerstrasse. In your free time try authentic apple strudel and Viennese coffee. Later why not sample some local schnaps and a traditional Viennese meal?

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Today our destination is the picturesque Tyrol region. Along the way we pass through Austria’s beautiful countryside before arriving in our home for two nights, Hopfgarten.

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This morning, fill your lungs with clean mountain air, jump on a bike and get into the region’s outdoor lifestyle with a fully guided optional tour through the Tyrol’s picture perfect scenery, complete with waterfalls and mountain fields. Work up an appetite – a BBQ lunch is waiting for you at the end!

For adrenaline-junkies, an optional tandem paraglide will give you an awesome angle on the surrounding alpine scenery.

With time to do your own thing, laze about or get out for a walk in the surrounding hills. Catch up on some emails or postcards at the inn or take a gondola up the mountainside for more spectacular views of the area. For something different, pop into the local trout farm.

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On to Bavaria’s lively capital Munich, home to the Oktoberfest. Our orientation tour includes the town centre with its historic Glockenspiel. Maybe join us this evening at one of the city’s traditional Beer Halls.

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We stop for lunch in Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. Enjoy time to shop and see the sights in Lucerne before reaching our idyllic stop in the Swiss Alps.

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It’s a change of pace amongst Switzerland’s massive alps. Take in the amazing views from the campsite.

Opt to visit Jungfrau mountain, head up the sheer slopes of this UNESCO World Heritage listed site on a cog rail to Europe’s highest railway station, and step out onto the “roof” of Europe for spine-tingling views.

• Contiki Special Stopover

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Heading north we re-enter Germany and visit the university town of Heidelberg on the banks of the Neckar River. Tonight we stay in the picturesque Rhine Valley after seeing the famous Lorelei and hearing how German beersteins are crafted in St. Goar.

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We cross the Dutch border and make our way towards Amsterdam. Visit a cheese farm and see how clogs are made. Cycle through the countryside and the village of Edam and enjoy the famous Amsterdam nightlife.

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This morning why not take a canal bike ride to further explore Amsterdam? In your free time perhaps visit famous sights such as Anne Frank’s House or the Van Gogh Museum. Tonight we celebrate our last evening together.

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After breakfast, there will be a transfer for you to Schipol Airport (estimated arrival at 10:00 am) OR choose to take a complimentary transfer to central London with your Tour Manager and Driver and extend your stay.

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