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London to Rome Quest | Hostels | Start Paris | Winter | 2027/2028 route map

Depart London, view the White Cliffs of Dover, ferry across the English Channel to Calais and learn about World War I history in the Valley of the Somme. Arrive in Paris and take an illuminated night tour of the city.

Meals: Dinner

Free time to see Notre Dame, the Louvre and Paris’ fashion districts (coffee and crêpes highly encouraged). Optional dinner and cabaret show in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Travel to Bordeaux, famed for wine since the 1st century. See the Miroir d’eau and explore the city, with an optional wine-tasting stroll.

Meals: Breakfast

Cross into Spain to San Sebastián for two nights. Free time to explore this coastal city; optional pintxos tour in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Explore Parte Vieja, Playa de la Concha and the Centro Romántico; wander cobblestone streets and soak up the coastline.

Meals: Breakfast

Depart San Sebastián, stopping in Zaragoza to see its baroque basilica and blend of Islamic and Gothic architecture. Arrive in Barcelona for beach time, Gothic quarter exploring and an optional Flamenco evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Free day for Parc Güell, the beach, and tapas/paella. Optional MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience: a hands-on cooking class and meal.

Meals: Breakfast

Travel to the French Riviera and discover its glamorous coastline. Evening free.

Meals: Dinner

Optional coastal bike ride. Sample local specialties like lavender honey, aioli and rosé. Evening visit to Monaco to see the Royal Palace and Monte Carlo Casino; return to the Riviera.

Meals: Breakfast

Head to Cinque Terre with a rail pass to explore the clifftop villages—hike, food crawl and vino encouraged. Continue to Pisa and check in.

Meals: Breakfast

See the Leaning Tower and explore markets (gelato recommended). In Florence, admire artworks including those by Michelangelo and enjoy an included leather demonstration. Optional Tuscan dinner in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Journey south to Sorrento for coastal views and sunset vibes. Optional visit to La Sorgente mozzarella farm for a local meal with fresh mozzarella, olive oil and limoncello.

Meals: Breakfast

Scenic Amalfi Coast drive with a stop in Amalfi. Visit a Lemon Farm to learn about limoncello. Back in Sorrento, stroll cliffside paths, explore the historic centre and try local gnocchi.

Meals: Breakfast

Stop in Pompeii for an optional guided walking tour of the ancient city. View Mt. Vesuvius en route to Rome, then explore key city sights on arrival.

Meals: Breakfast

Make the most of Rome’s ancient architecture with a chance to see the Colosseum up close. Free afternoon and an optional pasta cooking class with dinner; gelato recommended.

Meals: Breakfast

Trip ends in Rome after breakfast; farewells with your group.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s included

14 breakfasts and 2 dinners included as per itinerary dining summary.
Accommodation in hostels and hotels (or similar), in multi-share rooms with same-sex roommates; rooming assigned by the Trip Manager.
Ferry crossing from Dover to Calais across the English Channel on Day 1.
Cinque Terre National Park rail pass for travel between the clifftop villages.
Paris by night city tour on arrival.
Trip Manager support for the duration of the trip.
Included experiences and orientation walks: Paris highlights (Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame); Bordeaux city stroll; Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas; coastal drive on the French Riviera; visit to Monaco’s Royal Palace and Monte Carlo Casino area; perfume house visit in Nice; photo stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa; Florence leather demonstration; scenic drive along the Amalfi Coast with views of Mt. Vesuvius; Rome highlights walk; stop at the Somme battlefields en route to Paris.

What’s not included

International flights to the tour start and from the tour end are not included.
Passports, visas, and travel authorizations (e.g., UK ETA if required) are not included and must be arranged by the traveller.
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged by the traveller.
Meals not listed in the dining summary (most lunches and dinners) are at your own expense.
Optional activities and Free Time Add-Ons are not included (e.g., cabaret dinner/show in Paris, pintxos tour, Flamenco evening, bike ride, cooking classes, Tuscan dinner, mozzarella/lemon farm visits, Pompeii guided tour, casino gaming).
Entrance fees to attractions and monuments during free time (unless specified as included).
Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, souvenirs, and phone calls.
Optional single supplement for a private room upgrade.

Additional information

  • 2 Dinner (D)
  • 14 Breakfast (B)
  • 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: 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bordeaux: Stroll around this chic metropolis to see the Palais de la Bourse and downtown Bordeaux. Then make time for a nice glass of red by the river. 
  • Barcelona: Combat boots at the ready, folks! Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas are so cool, you won’t know what to photograph first!
  • French Riviera: Glide through the winding coastal roads of the French Riviera with your Contiki crew.
  • 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).
  • Nice: Your chance to learn the art of fragrance at a French perfume house. You know it makes scents! (soz).
  • Cinque Terre National Park: We’ll take care of your rail pass, so you can just zip around the iconic clifftop villages and focus on the Insta stories. Wanna hike around too? You’re welcome to explore on foot along the way.
  • Pisa: Your ultimate chance to ‘hold the tower up’ as you pose for that classic Insta snap. 
  • Amalfi Coast: Definitely one for the bucket list. Your chance to view one of Europe’s active volcanoes from a distance. 
  • Rome: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking off some sights on your bucket list! 

Pause in northern France to pay respects at World War I battlefields across the Valley of the Somme. Quiet roads lead to memorials and cemeteries where rows of white gravestones invite a pause for photos and reflection amid the rolling countryside.

Learn how the 1916 offensive reshaped European history, and absorb the solemn atmosphere that lingers over these landscapes. The experience provides essential context to the Western Front and the human stories behind the statistics.

Explore France’s wine capital on a relaxed orientation as you join a guided walk along the Garonne quays, the neoclassical Place de la Bourse, and the shimmering Miroir d’eau. Golden limestone facades and grand avenues show off Bordeaux’s 18th-century elegance.

Hear how maritime trade and viticulture shaped the city’s fortunes, and note café terraces perfect for a glass of red by the river. The scene blends culture and style—very Bordeaux.

Walk the Basque coast’s crown jewel as you join a guided stroll through Parte Vieja and along the curve of Playa de la Concha. Cobbled lanes, arcaded squares, and Belle Époque balustrades set a polished seaside mood.

Get the lowdown on pintxo culture, local etiquette, and the city’s summertime festivals. From surf to sandstone facades, San Sebastián’s blend of elegance and energy is instantly addictive.

Thread the medieval heart of Barcelona on a compact orientation through the Gothic Quarter and bustling Las Ramblas. Narrow lanes open to hidden squares, Roman walls, and ornate facades near the cathedral and La Boqueria’s colorful entrance.

Trace the city’s evolution from Roman to modern as street performers, tapas bars, and boutiques animate every corner. It’s the ideal primer for deeper exploration of Catalonia’s capital.

Glide the legendary shoreline as you cruise winding coastal roads framed by palms, villas, and azure bays. Elegant promenades and hillside towns showcase Riviera panoramas that have lured artists and icons for over a century.

Expect chic marinas, Belle Époque architecture, and sea views that beg for photo stops. The Mediterranean light here really does feel cinematic—sunglasses recommended.

Step into a French perfume house to uncover the art of fragrance, shaped by centuries of Grasse tradition. A specialist explains top, heart, and base notes while you sample raw essences and watch how aromas are balanced.

Learn how flower harvests and distillation created a Riviera craft that’s both glamorous and technical. It’s a sensorial pause that might just inspire a new signature scent.

Walk Monaco-Ville to see the Royal Palace square and sweeping views over Port Hercule before continuing to the lights of the Monte Carlo Casino. Superyachts, polished facades, and designer storefronts set the scene.

Hear how the Grimaldi dynasty and Belle Époque glamour turned a tiny principality into a byword for style. It’s an elegant slice of Riviera nightlife—perfect for people-watching and atmosphere.

Use your included pass to zip between the clifftop villages of Cinque Terre National Park: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Pastel houses cling to terraces of vines above a sapphire sea.

Follow lanes to viewpoints or sample focaccia on harbor fronts. Coastal paths and station-to-station trains make it easy to chase sunset over the Ligurian Sea, camera ready.

Visit Pisa’s monumental heart to admire the Leaning Tower of Pisa, cathedral, and baptistery arranged on the lawn of the Piazza dei Miracoli. Romanesque marble stripes and arcades shine in the Tuscan light.

Capture the classic perspective shot and pause for photos and reflection among masterworks that once signaled a maritime republic’s power. Architectural drama, distilled.

Witness a traditional leather workshop where artisans cut, emboss, and stitch using time-honored Florentine techniques. The scent of tanned hides fills the studio as tools tap and burnish.

Nearby streets reveal Florence’s Renaissance heart—glimpses of the soaring dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, the statues of Piazza della Signoria, and the goldsmith shops of the Ponte Vecchio. Craft and culture, side by side.

Travel the famed SS163 to experience the Amalfi Coast drive, where terraces of lemons drop to a glittering Tyrrhenian Sea and villages cling to dramatic sea cliffs. Whitewashed lanes and tiled domes announce Amalfi’s historic maritime past.

Explore the piazza by the Amalfi Cathedral and soak in the coastal atmosphere. The views here make postcards feel understated.

Get your bearings in the Eternal City on a compact circuit that takes in the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon (exterior), Piazza Navona, and the Spanish Steps. Streets layer ancient stones with Baroque theatrics at every turn.

Hear how Rome evolved from empire to baroque grandeur as you note cafés, gelaterie, and viewpoints to revisit later. A perfect launchpad for deeper dives into monuments and museums.

Catch a breezy snapshot of Barcelona’s seafront as you join a guided panoramic past Barceloneta’s sands, public art, and palm-lined boulevards. The Mediterranean sets a bright backdrop to the city’s creative edge.

Get tips on where to wander for tapas, street art, and sunset hangouts. It’s a quick, spirited overview that pairs perfectly with your deeper Gothic Quarter exploration.

Survey signature sights on a city overview that frames the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, and the Louvre’s grand courtyards. Commentary connects neighborhoods and riverfront perspectives so you can plan time at your favorites.

From Haussmann boulevards to riverside quays, this swift orientation highlights classic viewpoints and photo angles—ideal for first-time explorers and Paris veterans alike.

Taste your way through the city’s wine culture on a guided stroll that pairs history with sips from curated bars. Sample regional wines from Left and Right Bank terroirs, learning the difference between Merlot- and Cabernet-led blends.

Discuss appellations and aging while you enjoy elegant riverfront settings. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Dive into Basque flavors on a guided pintxos crawl through Old Town bars, where brimming counters showcase seasonal bites. Sip crisp txakoli poured from height and learn the etiquette for ordering like a local.

From cod pil-pil to gildas, each stop uncovers culinary traditions of the Basque Country. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Feel the city’s soul in an intimate tablao as guitar, palmas, and voice power a fiery flamenco performance. Dancers unleash stamping footwork and soulful cante in a burst of rhythm and emotion.

Choose a drink or dinner option while you soak up the artistry up close. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Roll up your sleeves for a market-inspired workshop where you cook with a local chef to create regional dishes—think rustic Catalan starters and a saffron-kissed rice. Sustainability and community are front and center in this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience.

Sit down to taste the dishes you create and swap stories with your hosts. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Saddle up for a coastal bike ride along palm-fringed promenades and harbor fronts, with the azure bay as your constant backdrop. Easy paths and sea breezes make for effortless exploration.

Pause for viewpoints and photo stops that show the Riviera at its most cinematic. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; bikes and helmets are provided.

Spend a glittering night at a historic venue where sequins, lights, and the sparkle of Parisian cabaret take center stage. Expect high-kicking can-can, glittering costumes, and live music as you savor dinner or drinks.

It’s vintage Montmartre spirit with modern flair—pure city-of-lights theater. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Head into the hills above Sorrento to visit a family mozzarella farm, where fresh curds are stretched into silky fior di latte. Taste house-pressed sun-drenched olive oil and finish with lemon-bright limoncello.

Stories of family tradition pair with a rustic meal showcasing Campania’s bounty. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Stroll terraced lemon groves above the coast to learn how the fragrant sfusato amalfitano is cultivated by hand on steep slopes. Hear about pergolas, harvests, and family recipes.

Conclude with a pour of house-made limoncello and regional sweets while sea views frame the experience. This visit is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Step into ancient Pompeii on an expert-led tour through forums, streets, and villas where frescoes and mosaics still tell Roman stories. The city’s layout, bakeries, and bathhouses reveal daily life frozen in time.

Hear how Vesuvius’s eruption preserved this urban snapshot and changed the Bay of Naples forever. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Channel nonna energy as you hand-roll fresh pasta, shape classic forms, and master sauces in a convivial kitchen. Learn Roman recipes and tips you can recreate at home.

Gather for a shared dinner with wine to toast your creations and new friends. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Discover the City of Light on an evening drive as you join a guided panoramic tour past the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the glittering Seine riverbanks. Landmarks glow against the night sky while your crew points out grand boulevards, elegant bridges, and café-lined squares.

Feel Paris’s rhythm as statues, facades, and monuments reveal their after-dark drama. This is the perfect orientation to neighborhoods you’ll revisit by day, when the architecture and street life take on a different tempo.

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