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London to Athens Hotels | Start London | 2027 route map

Depart London, see the White Cliffs of Dover and ferry across the English Channel to Calais. Drive past the World War I battlefields of the Somme en route to Paris. Have an included dinner, then visit the Eiffel Tower at night.

Meals: Dinner

Tour Paris, then explore at your own pace. Options include shopping, seeing Notre-Dame Cathedral, visiting the Louvre, and enjoying coffee and crêpes. An evening Parisian cabaret show is optional.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, leave Paris for the Beaujolais Wine Region. Stop for lunch in Beaune, with a chance to see the Hospices de Beaune. Continue to Contiki’s 16th-century château for an included dinner and wine tasting.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

Spend the day at the château in Beaujolais. Join optional sunrise yoga in the gardens or relax by the pool, and enjoy a French-style picnic in the gardens.

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Travel from Beaujolais across the border into Spain, with views of the Pyrénées en route to Barcelona. Have an included dinner and explore the city in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

Explore Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, Montjuïc and architecture. Enjoy free time to roam the city or swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Flamenco is an evening option.

Meals: Breakfast

Cross from Spain into France and stop for lunch in Arles, where you can see the ancient Roman Arena. Continue to the French Riviera.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

Spend time on the French Riviera, with an optional bike ride overlooking the Côte d’Azur. Visit Monaco in the evening, with opportunities to see the Monte Carlo Casino and Royal Palace and have an optional dinner. Return to the coast for the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Leave the French Riviera and stop in Èze to visit a traditional perfumery, with a chance to create a signature scent. Continue into Italy through Liguria, Lombardia and Veneto. Stop in Verona to see the setting associated with Romeo and Juliet and the Roman Arena, then travel to Venice.

Meals: Breakfast

Take a private boat through Venice’s canals to its historic centre. Options include a guided food tour, a visit to Burano, a gondola ride or exploring independently.

Meals: Breakfast

Travel from Venice to Florence via Pisa, stopping to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. In Florence, explore the River Arno and see the Duomo, with a chance to try Chianti wine.

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Florence to explore local markets and try gelato. An optional evening outing visits a 14th-century Certosan monastery, followed by dinner and wine at a Tuscan restaurant in the nearby countryside.

Meals: Breakfast

Leave Florence and visit Casale Polegri, an organic farm near Baschi in Umbria, for local pasta, olives, wine and other produce. Continue to Rome for an orientation tour with the Trip Manager, then explore sights such as the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona.

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch

Spend the day learning about the Colosseum and exploring Rome independently. The evening is free to enjoy the city’s food and wine.

Meals: Breakfast

Leave Rome and stop at the archaeological site of Pompeii, where a guided tour is optional. Continue to Brindisi and board the overnight Adriatic ferry.

Meals: Breakfast

Sail across the Adriatic and disembark at Igoumenitsa. Travel across mainland Greece, see the Corinth Canal and continue to Athens. An evening dinner of traditional Greek food is optional.

Meals: Breakfast

Take a guided tour of Athens, visiting the Parthenon, the Acropolis and the first modern Olympic Stadium, which hosted the 1896 Games. The trip then ends.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s included

16 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 picnic lunch, plus 5 dinners included across the trip
Upgraded twin-share hotel rooms (Plus variation) so you share with just one other traveller
Guided tour of Athens with a Local Guide, visiting the Acropolis and Parthenon, plus the first modern Olympic Stadium (1896)
Expert Trip Manager support (and driver services) for the duration of the trip
Local transportation throughout the trip (by coach/train/internal flight as applicable), plus ferry crossings: early English Channel ferry to France and an overnight Adriatic ferry from Italy to Greece

What’s not included

International flights to London and from Athens are not included in the tour price
Visas and any required entry documents are not included and must be arranged by the traveller
Travel insurance is not included and should be arranged by the traveller
Meals and drinks not listed under inclusions are at your own expense
Optional Free Time Add-Ons (e.g., extra activities and experiences) are available at additional cost
Pre/post-tour airport transfers and extra nights before or after the trip are not included (transfers for additional nights are at your own expense)

Additional information

  • 5 Dinner (D)
  • 16 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Picnic Lunch (PL)
  • 1 Lunch (L)
  • London: You’ll need Essential Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)From?January 8, 2025, UK law means that if you’re entering/transiting through border control in the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland you’ll need an?Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?before you travel. Confused? Don’t be – just read on here.
  • London: A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
  • London: Your Trip Manager will advise you on who you’ll share your room with. On this trip, you’ll stay in a multi-share room with other travellers of the same sex.
  • Athens: The climate in this region is extremely varied. In shoulder season (May, September, and October) you can expect temperatures to vary between single digits and warm sunny days, while from June until September temperatures can reach well above 30 C (86 F).
  • Athens: It’s always a good idea to bring a warm windproof jacket. No matter which time of year you decide to travel, it can get quite cool at night (especially outside of the cities), so we recommend that you bring a warm jacket or fleece. You’ll also need to pack comfortable shoes for walking during the day, plus sunscreen, a hat, swimwear and a light/beach towel. And if you wanna visit any basilicas, cathedrals or sacred sites during your trip, we recommend you bring a few outfits that cover your knees and shoulders. 
  • London: You’ll stay in a Twin share room (meaning you’ll be paired with a fellow traveller of the same gender, and will have two separate beds). If you’re booking your trip with a friend/travel companion – just let us know, so we can join your bookings and ensure you share a room. Need a lil’ more privacy? You’re welcome to opt for a single supplement if you like.
  • 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.
  • 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: Enjoy a French-style picnic while admiring the gorgeous Beaujolais countryside.
  • 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.
  • Arles: Visit the historic city of Arles, famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh.
  • 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.
  • Nice: Your chance to learn the art of fragrance at a French perfume house. You know it makes scents! (soz).
  • Paris: Looking for the perfect souvenir? After a guided tour, you’ll have the chance to craft a sumptuous scent of your own – with a local guide on hand to help.
  • Verona: This is the address behind the legendary love story. Visit Juliet’s House and see the spot that turned Verona into a global icon.
  • Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice.
  • Pisa: Your ultimate chance to ‘hold the tower up’ as you pose for that classic Insta snap. 
  • 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!
  • Rome: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking off some sights on your bucket list! 
  • Amalfi Coast: Definitely one for the bucket list. Your chance to view one of Europe’s active volcanoes from a distance. 
  • 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.
  • 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. 

Get your bearings in the Eternal City with a guided amble to the Trevi Fountain, the porticoed grandeur of the Pantheon and Bernini fountains on Piazza Navona. It’s Rome’s baroque theatre, streetside.

Along the way, hear tales of emperors, popes and artists, and pick up tips for espresso bars and gelaterie. Marble, cobbles and twilight colors set the stage for further explorations.

Experience a quintessential night out at a Paris cabaret, where feathered costumes, live music and high-energy choreography light up the stage. Sip a drink, settle into the red-velvet ambiance and feel the electric Parisian nightlife come alive.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Venues vary by date; your team will share details on inclusions and seating options.

Glide along quiet rii with a gondolier at the oar as palazzi doors skim the waterline and bridges frame reflections. It’s Venice’s classic slow-motion canal experience with time to soak in the waterside hush.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Routes vary with tides and traffic; shared gondolas keep costs friendly.

Trace the route of one of World War I’s most storied fronts as you pass the Valley of the Somme. Your crew offers context while fields, memorials and military cemeteries unfold—a contemplative way to pause for photos and reflection on a pivotal chapter of European history.

Understand how the 1916 offensive reshaped tactics and memory alike. Names like Thiepval and Beaumont-Hamel echo through the landscape, reminding travellers of sacrifice amid today’s quiet countryside.

Taste the Beaujolais terroir at Contiki’s château as you sample regional wines in the cellar, guided by staff who’ll explain Gamay grapes, granite soils and local appellations. The evening continues with a convivial spread of classic dishes and pourings from the château bar.

Explore how light-bodied crus like Brouilly and Morgon express slope, sun and soil. Between courses, step into the garden to compare aromas against the hillside air—ripe berries, herbs and warm stone.

Unfold a blanket beneath the plane trees for a leisurely French-style picnic in the château grounds. Expect crusty baguettes, soft cheeses, charcuterie and seasonal fruit, with a glass of local red to soak in the lakeside (well, poolside) atmosphere and vineyard views.

Surrounded by Beaujolais’ undulating hills—nicknamed the Pierres Dorées for their golden stone—this is the countryside at its restorative best: birdsong, herbal breezes and the low hum of summer insects.

Awaken with guided stretches on the château’s sweeping lawns as you get in touch with your zen side. Breathe through a gentle flow while misty vineyard horizons glow pink and gold, easing body and mind into the day.

Set against 16th-century stone and garden scents of cut grass and lavender, the practice balances travel tempo with mindful pause. Mats and instruction are provided; all levels welcome.

Explore Arles’ honey-hued lanes and view the Roman Amphitheatre (Arènes d’Arles) from the old town. Wander past sun-splashed squares and cafés that inspired Van Gogh, capturing Provencal color and light in your lens.

Founded by the Romans and now a UNESCO site, Arles blends antiquity with artistic spirit. From stone arches to the Place du Forum, history and Mediterranean rhythm hum through every corner.

Glide the legendary coastal roads of the French Riviera where azure bays meet umbrella pines and Belle-Époque facades. The route frames Côte d’Azur seascapes perfect for quick photo stops with your crew.

Between Nice and its gilded peninsulas, the shoreline swings from cliff-hugging corniches to yacht-flecked harbors. Learn how artists, film stars and Formula 1 have shaped the Riviera’s sun-lit mythology.

Step into pocket-sized glamour on Le Rocher to see the Prince’s Palace of Monaco and wander the marina lights around the Monte Carlo Casino. Street names double as Grand Prix corners, with supercars purring past polished facades.

Hear how the Grimaldi dynasty shaped this cliff-top state and why Monaco became a byword for high society. The after-dark mood—palms, polished stone and sea air—sets an elegant scene for your Riviera chapter.

Visit a traditional perfume house in hilltop Èze to learn the craft from flower to flacon. Watch distillation and maceration in action before your guide helps you blend a signature scent and sample regional fragrances like citrus, jasmine and lavender.

Rooted in the Grasse tradition, Riviera perfumery marries Mediterranean botanicals with French artistry. The workshop reveals how notes balance—top to base—to bottle a place and a mood.

Walk Verona’s marble-paved streets to the courtyard of Juliet’s House and the exterior of the Roman Arena. The romance of balconies and ancient arches pairs perfectly with café-lined piazzas and river views.

Shakespearean legend meets Roman urbanism in this UNESCO-listed city. From Scaliger walls to medieval lanes, hear how trade, poetry and opera layered Verona’s timeless atmosphere.

Skim over the lagoon by private boat to Venice, arriving beside bobbing gondolas and stone quays. An orientation in St Mark’s Square frames the Basilica’s mosaics, the Doge’s Palace and the wistful Bridge of Sighs.

Hear how the maritime republic rose on trade and tides, threading canals between palazzi. The salt-tinged air and rhythmic wake set the mood for your own Venetian wanderings.

Visit the walled meadows of Piazza dei Miracoli for that classic snap with the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Frame white marble against Tuscan sky while the Cathedral and Baptistery gleam nearby.

Learn why the tower began to tilt in the 12th century and how engineers stabilized it for future generations. The ensemble’s Romanesque detail rewards close inspection between playful portraits.

Savor countryside hospitality at an organic azienda agricola as you sample regional wines and sit down to a farm-fresh lunch—think bruschetta with estate olive oil, focaccia, seasonal vegetables and a hearty pasta or risotto.

Stroll the vineyards and olive groves while your hosts explain harvest rhythms and local varietals. Desserts and a final toast complete a meal that tastes of sun, soil and Italian family tradition.

Witness a feat of engineering where the Aegean meets the Ionian as boats thread the Corinth Canal between steep limestone walls. The viewpoint lets you pause for photos and reflection while freighters glide below.

Cut through the Isthmus of Corinth in the late 19th century, the canal is short but dramatic—sheer rock, turquoise water and a narrow passage that reshaped regional trade routes.

Ascend Athens’ fabled hill with a Local Guide to explore the Acropolis and Parthenon, passing the Propylaea and the sacred Erechtheion. Panoramas sweep from Lycabettus to the Saronic Gulf as classical columns blaze in Mediterranean light.

Broaden the picture with a city highlight stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, birthplace of the modern Games in 1896. Myths, marble and modern Athens interplay in a compact, stirring tour.

Step inside Burgundy’s 15th-century Hôtel-Dieu des Hospices de Beaune, famed for its glazed tile roof and late-Gothic halls. Explore the former charity hospital’s apothecary, wards and art, including the poignant polyptych altarpiece.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Learn how philanthropic wine auctions still support the foundation to this day.

Pedal a scenic stretch of the Côte d’Azur with a guide, tracing seafront promenades and gentle corniches for panoramic Riviera views. Breezes, beach coves and pastel villas set a sun-kissed cadence to the ride.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Bikes and helmets are provided; routes are relaxed and photo-friendly.

Step inside the Monte Carlo Casino to admire Belle-Époque salons before trying your luck at the tables. Chandeliers, inlaid wood and a low murmur of play create an atmosphere of Riviera high style.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. ID and smart dress are required; entry policies and opening hours apply.

Savor a refined evening meal in Monaco, pairing Provencal flavors—think aioli, local seafood and rosé—with harbor lights and polished service. It’s a fitting culinary bow to your principality visit.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Menu and venue may vary; your team will confirm seasonal specialties and inclusions.

Feel the pulse of Andalucía in Catalonia at a traditional flamenco tablao. Dancers, guitar and palmas hand-claps ignite the room while you graze on tapas and sip local wine or sangria.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Performances are intimate and theatrical—expect footwork, ruffled dresses and emotional duende.

Graze like a local as you pop into bacari wine bars to sample cicchetti—bite-sized Venetian tapas—paired with an ombra of regional wine. Rialto’s market lanes and back-canals set a delicious backdrop.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Expect classics like baccalà mantecato, polpette and seasonal specials announced from the counter.

Cruise the lagoon to color-splashed Burano, where fishermen’s houses glow in rainbow hues and lace-making traditions endure. Stroll canalside alleys, camera at the ready for sunset over the lagoon.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Your guide will share the island’s craft heritage and its best viewpoints.

Visit the serene cloisters of the Certosa del Galluzzo, a 14th-century charterhouse set among olive-draped hills, before sitting down to a countryside feast with Chianti wines and seasonal Tuscan dishes.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Monks’ stories, candle-lit stone and rustic flavors combine for a quietly moving evening outside the city.

Step inside the Colosseum to hear tales of emperors and gladiators, then walk the Roman Forum and grassy slopes of Palatine Hill, where Rome’s origin myths meet imperial reality.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Guides bring stones to life—arches, arenas and avenues that anchored an ancient superpower.

Walk the basalt streets of Pompeii with a specialist guide to see frescoed villas, bathhouses and poignant plaster casts. Daily life, frozen by Vesuvius in 79 CE, unfolds room by room.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Hear how ash preserved wall paintings and shop counters, revealing an extraordinary Roman city in detail.

Gather in the historic center for a convivial Greek taverna dinner with shared meze, grilled specialties and carafes of local wine. Expect warm service and, often, live bouzouki rhythms to set the evening’s tone.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Menus are seasonal—think tzatziki, dolmades, souvlaki and a sweet bite of baklava to finish.

Pause one evening for a city-light moment as you watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle above the Seine. From a classic vantage point, admire the iron lattice blazing into life and pause for photos and reflection as Paris settles into its nocturnal glow.

Learn how the 1889 Exposition Universelle turned Gustave Eiffel’s tower into a symbol of modernity. The signature twinkling display—thousands of bulbs igniting on the hour—casts a festive shimmer across the river and rooftops.

Cruise across the Channel on a classic ferry crossing, taking the sea breeze on deck as the White Cliffs of Dover rise and recede in chalk-bright relief. It’s a serene transition from England to France with time to soak in the coastal panorama.

Glance back to Dover Castle crowning the headland and forward to the French coast as ships weave maritime lanes below. The crossing sets an adventurous tone—water, wind and horizons opening ahead.

Discover the French capital on a coach-led sweep past the city’s great set pieces. You’ll join a guided panoramic tour to see the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées, the Louvre’s glass pyramid and the reborn Notre-Dame Cathedral from the quays of the Seine.

Gain a sense of Parisian rhythm as you glide between Haussmann boulevards and medieval Île de la Cité. Your guide spotlights architectural detail, café culture and moments in French history that shaped the city’s romantic aura.

Contiki

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