• 9 Dinner (D)
• 44 Breakfast (B)
• 1 Picnic Lunch (PL)

• London: For this trip, we recommend that you carry the British Pound, Euro, Czech Koruna, Hungarian Forint, Romanian Lei, Turkish Lira, Bulgarian Lev, Swiss Francs. (It’s a coin collector’s dream!)
• 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.
• Istanbul: At the end of 2021 the Republic of Turkey officially changed its English name to ‘The Republic of Turkiye’ (pronounced “Tur-key-yeah”), which is how it is both spelt and pronounced in Turkish.
• 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.
• London: Most accommodations on the trip offer self-service laundry or a laundry service. Wanna know the best time and place to do your laundry? Ask your Trip Manager! They have all the info you need.
• 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: Be a VIP at the epic Contiki Château and fill up on a banquet of classic French dishes and wines. Ooh la la! 
• 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: Clear out the cobwebs and get in touch with you zen side with a guided yoga session on the sweeping lawns of the château.
• Beaujolais: Enjoy a French-style picnic while admiring the gorgeous Beaujolais countryside.
• 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!
• 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).
• Nice: Your chance to learn the art of fragrance at a French perfume house. You know it makes scents! (soz).
• 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! 
• 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: Walk in the footsteps of Gods and Goddesses, as you take a guided tour around the Ancient Greek monuments and explore the Parthenon temple. 
• Thermopylae: Fans of the film 300 will love this tribute to Spartan warriors, on the site of the Thermopylae battle. 
• Gallipoli: See the infamous site of the ANZAC troop landings at the battle of Gallipoli in WWI. 
• Gallipoli: Brush up on your history knowledge with a visit to WWI battle sites: Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair Gallipoli  
• Istanbul: If you’re looking for ornate and photogenic buildings we have a treat for you. See the Byzantine Hagia Sophia (Blue Mosque), Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar and Suleymaniye Mosque.
• Târgu Mure?: Visit the national monument in Transylvania (and also the inspiration for Dracula’s castle) – which is now a museum with art and furniture collected by Queen Marie. And of course, you can take a look inside if you’d like!
• Hopfgarten im Brixental: Join us in the cute lil Austrian Tyrol village of Hopfgarten, where you’ll find Haus Schoneck by Contiki. Next to one of the world’s largest ski regions, this traditional property has had a fresh facelift with all the modcons. We’re talking on-site sauna, Schnapps bar, communal lounge area, a shuttle to the main gondola. Hungry after a day on the slopes? Chow down on some warming locally sourced meals in our dining room.
• Munich: We’ll make a stop at a traditional Bavarian ‘Bier Halle’. Grab your Contiki crew and a beer. Prost!
• Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site: Take a somber but impactful visit to the site of a World War II concentration camp in Munich. 
• Prague: Walk through the winding cobbled streets and head up into the fairytale-like Castle District for panoramic city views.
• Berlin: Heads up culture vultures. Here’s your chance to check out the longest open-air gallery in the world.

Pedal a seafront route framed by palms, Belle Époque villas and Mediterranean blue. Pause at overlooks to soak in the seaside atmosphere, then roll past beach clubs and fishing harbors buzzing with local life.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Gentle gradients and frequent photo stops keep the focus on scenery rather than speed.

Visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site to learn, reflect and remember. Exhibitions, original barracks outlines and the crematorium complex document the rise of the camp system and the lives it claimed.

Guidance from your team ensures time for quiet contemplation at interfaith chapels and memorial sculptures. It’s a solemn, vital stop that deepens understanding of Europe’s 20th-century history.

Drift along narrow rii beneath stone bridges as your gondolier steers by single oar. The echoing cathedral nave of canals reveals balconies, palazzi and laundry lines few pedestrians ever see.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. A timeless glide through Venice’s watery backstreets, it pairs perfectly with golden-hour light and a spritz before or after.

Travel into the foothills above Salzburg to dine with a local family serving seasonal dishes and fruit schnaps from the village. Hear how generations have worked the land as the Alps glow at sunset.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. It’s an intimate window into Austrian rural life, rooted in regional produce and warm conversation.

Wander the tight lanes of the Barri Gòtic as your team points out hidden courtyards, sculpted facades and Las Ramblas alive with buskers and florists. This compact intro reveals the textures of old Barcelona: Roman walls, artisan shops, and the scent of churros drifting from tiny cafes.

Hear how Catalan identity threads through language, food and festivals. With bearings set, you’re ready to branch into El Born’s boutiques, climb Montjuïc for harbor views, or detour for a beach dip.

Run, lift and float over green valleys and waterfalls as your pilot banks gently for views of jagged peaks and storybook farms. The misty mountain passes below look like a model village from the sky.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Photos and a smooth landing cap a serene, high-altitude perspective on the Tyrol.

Taste Beaujolais at its source with a convivial evening at Contiki’s historic château, sampling local vintages paired with regional dishes. In vaulted rooms and leafy courtyards, sample regional wines while your hosts share the terroir traditions of this sun-kissed corner of France.

Between sips, learn how granite soils and Gamay grapes define the Beaujolais style. Afterwards, the château’s ambiance invites lingering conversation, music, and a celebratory mood worthy of a country estate.

Stretch into the day with guided yoga on the château lawns, then unfurl blankets for a countryside picnic among vines and rolling hills. Breathe deep and soak in the lakeside atmosphere of Beaujolais while your crew shares market-fresh bites and a glass of local red.

Set within 16th-century grounds, the château’s gardens frame panoramic views that shift with the light. The unhurried pace adds a restorative counterpoint to Europe’s buzziest cities.

Explore sun-washed Arles, where a UNESCO-listed Roman amphitheatre anchors lanes painted in Van Gogh yellows. Stroll stone arcades and Provencal squares while your team points out café terraces and photo spots that capture the town’s timeless light.

From the days of Caesar to the artist’s easel, Arles has layered stories in its sandstone. Pause to admire carved columns and consider how southern France’s light shaped Post-Impressionist color.

Glide into the principality after dusk to see the Prince’s Palace and the glittering curve of Port Hercules before strolling the famed Monte Carlo Casino. Dress to feel the part as superyachts, polished facades and the Grand Prix hairpin set the scene for Riviera glamour.

Hear how the Grimaldi dynasty shaped this cliff-top enclave and why cinematic heists and royal weddings loom large in its myth. It’s a heady mix of belle époque elegance and modern luxe.

Visit a Riviera perfume house to trace fragrances from raw essences to finished flacons. In atelier surrounds, step inside a working perfumery and discover how top, heart and base notes form a signature scent, with time to blend a small creation of your own.

From jasmine nights to citrus groves, Southern France breathes into every bottle. Historic techniques meet modern noses here, revealing an olfactory craft honed for centuries along the Côte d’Azur.

Cruise by private motoscafo across the Venetian Lagoon, threading past church domes and mooring poles to land near the heart of the Serenissima. Step into St Mark’s Square, where marble arcades and the basilica’s mosaics announce a city built on sea and ceremony.

Hear how merchants, glassmakers and Doges shaped a maritime empire. Lapping water, chiming campanili and narrow canals deliver the sensory Venice you came for.

Visit the Piazza dei Miracoli to admire the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Romanesque cathedral and baptistery set on an emerald lawn. Your team helps you find the best angles for playful photos while appreciating the artistry behind the tower’s famous tilt.

Learn how soft subsoil foiled medieval ambitions and how engineers stabilized the structure for future generations. Beyond the snapshots, marble reliefs and inlaid patterns reward a closer look.

Step into a Florentine bottega to watch artisans cut, emboss and stitch fine leather goods using time-honored techniques. Discover Renaissance craft up close as hides become belts, journals and bags, each piece echoing the city’s legacy of guilds and design.

Between the Duomo’s soaring dome and the Arno’s bridges, the scent of tanned leather is unmistakable. Tips on quality and care help you shop smart for heirloom souvenirs.

Walk Rome’s baroque core to throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, gaze up at the Pantheon’s soaring dome, and linger amid fountains and frescoes in Piazza Navona. Street musicians, gelato stands and warm stone facades complete the Roman mood.

Stories of emperors, popes and painters unfold at each stop, revealing how ancient engineering and Renaissance ambition coexist in the Eternal City’s daily life.

Climb the Acropolis with a Local Guide to stand before the Parthenon, the Erechtheion’s caryatids and sweeping views toward Piraeus. Continue to the storied Panathenaic Stadium, home of the first modern Games in 1896, carved entirely from marble.

From myths of Athena to Pericles’ golden age, your guide connects columns and friezes to the ideas that shaped Western thought. Marble underfoot and cicadas in the pines set a classical soundtrack.

Pause to pause for photos and reflection above the Corinth Canal, a knife-straight waterway linking the Aegean and Ionian seas. Watch boats thread between steep limestone walls where the isthmus was finally cut in the 19th century.

The canal’s bold geometry and aquamarine water make a striking contrast to the Peloponnese’s rugged hills, a reminder of Greece’s long relationship with seafaring and engineering ambition.

Visit the site of the Spartan stand at Thermopylae, where Leonidas and his 300 faced Persian forces. At the modern memorial, your team evokes the mountain pass and hot springs that defined this storied choke point.

From hoplite warfare to Hollywood myth, Thermopylae bridges history and legend. The setting invites a quiet moment to consider courage, strategy and the power of terrain.

Pay respects on the Gallipoli Peninsula at ANZAC Cove, the trenches of Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair. A Local Team shares accounts from both sides of the 1915 campaign, bringing terrain and tactics into focus.

Wind-scoured ridges, blue straits and white headstones frame a sobering landscape of remembrance for Australia, New Zealand and Turkiye alike. Reflection time is built into the visit.

Explore a city spanning continents with visits to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the domes of Suleymaniye Mosque. Navigate the Grand Bazaar’s vaulted lanes, where spice, silk and gold have traded hands for centuries.

Byzantine mosaics, Ottoman courtyards and tea-scented streets reveal a metropolis layered with faith and empire. Your guide connects monuments to the living city’s rhythm.

Enter the 14th-century fortress above the Bran Gorge, often linked to the Dracula legend. Walk timbered corridors, climb narrow stairways and peer from ramparts that once guarded a key Carpathian pass.

Beyond gothic lore, learn about Queen Marie’s early-20th-century restoration and the castle’s role in regional history. Antique furniture and folk artifacts paint a vivid picture of Transylvanian life.

Step into a Bavarian Bierhalle to raise a stein with your crew beneath painted ceilings and oompah echoes. Servers in dirndls and lederhosen keep the flow, while pretzels and roast specialties add hearty flavor.

Your team shares the story of beer purity laws and seasonal brews, from Märzen to Helles. It’s convivial, culture-rich and perfectly Munich—no festival dates required.

Cross the Vltava to the Castle District for sweeping views over spires and bridges. Stroll courtyards near St. Vitus Cathedral, then drift downhill toward Old Town’s Astronomical Clock and cobbled lanes alive with street musicians.

Stories of Bohemian kings, defenestrations and velvet revolutions animate the skyline. Red roofs, Gothic pinnacles and café terraces create a fairy-tale canvas that rewards every detour.

Walk the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall, now the open-air East Side Gallery. Murals by international artists transform concrete into commentary, from hope and unity to satire and memory.

Learn how the Wall divided neighborhoods and how 1990’s artists reclaimed it as a canvas. River views and former borderlands reveal a city always in conversation with its past.

Taste Montmartre’s village charm over a multi-course dinner near the Sacré-Cœur, where café windows glow and street artists sketch on cobbles. Sample regional wines and classic bistro plates while your host shares neighborhood lore.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. It’s an atmospheric way to pair Parisian cuisine with bohemian history on the Butte’s lantern-lit lanes.

Settle into a velvet-lit theater for a high-energy cabaret show where sequins, chorus lines and live music revive Belle Époque sparkle. Glass in hand, watch the stage whirl through costumes and choreography.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. It pairs Paris nightlife with showmanship, delivering a playful counterpoint to daytime museums and monuments.

Ascend by cogwheel train past waterfalls and grazing pastures to the ice world of Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe. Step out to misty mountain passes, an ice palace and an observation deck facing the Aletsch Glacier.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Alpine engineering and high-altitude panoramas combine for a peak Swiss moment you’ll talk about for years.

Clip into a harness and leap from a cliff edge as the valley rushes up and the rope catches your arc. The adrenaline surge is instant; the glacier-fed river and forested walls blur into a mountain amphitheater.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Guides handle safety and setup so you can focus on the heart-pounding freefall and triumphant swing-back.

Witness flamenco up close in an intimate tablao as guitar, cante and stamping footwork build to goosebump crescendos. Low light, clapping palmas and swirling skirts channel Andalusian soul in the Catalan capital.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Sip a drink, lean into the rhythm and feel the performers’ duende electrify the room.

Hop bacari wine bars to sample regional wines with cicchetti: Venetian small plates like baccalà mantecato, polpette and crostini. Between bites, learn how locals snack and socialize off the tourist trail.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. It’s a savory way to connect with lagoon flavors and centuries-old tavern culture.

Step inside the Colosseum to picture gladiators and roaring crowds, then walk the Roman Forum where temples, basilicas and triumphal arches mapped an empire’s heart.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Priority access and expert commentary bring masonry and myths into sharp focus amid Rome’s ancient stones.

Flour your hands to roll, cut and shape fresh pasta with a local chef before sitting down to enjoy your handiwork with sauces, salad and wine. It’s convivial, hands-on and tastes like Rome.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Techniques and tips travel home with you, long after the last bite of tiramisù.

Walk the stone streets of Pompeii with a specialist guide to see frescoed villas, bathhouses and the forum frozen by Vesuvius in 79 AD. Casting molds and poignant details reveal a city paused mid-day.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Context brings everyday Roman life alive—from bakeries to brothels—beneath the shadow of an active volcano.

Sail Ios’ coastline to hidden coves and turquoise inlets, diving in for swim breaks over sandy bottoms. On deck, sun, music and sea breezes set an effortless island rhythm.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Snorkels, shady spots and a friendly crew make it a laid-back way to see the Cycladic side most visitors miss.

Explore cliff-top Oia, where whitewashed alleys and blue domes frame the caldera. Browse artisan boutiques and pause at windmills before settling in to watch the sunset over the lagoon paint the volcanic rim.

Oia’s cubic houses and island light have lured painters and photographers for generations. It’s Santorini’s signature scene—best enjoyed with time set aside to simply look and linger.

Join a family kitchen in Istanbul to chop, season and simmer meze and stews, learning the spice blends behind home-style Turkish dishes. Share the table with your hosts and taste warm hospitality alongside fragrant plates.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Recipes and stories reveal daily life beyond the monuments, one bite at a time.

Unwind in a historic Turkish hammam where steam rooms, marble slabs and a vigorous kese scrub leave skin tingling and muscles loose. The ritual balances cleansing with calm.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Sip tea in a domed lounge afterward, letting the city’s bustle fade while you luxuriate in timeless self-care.

Board a riverboat to cruise the Danube past floodlit landmarks—Buda Castle, the Parliament’s neo-Gothic pinnacles and the Chain Bridge’s stone lions—while tucking into Hungarian favorites.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. The city’s twin banks—Buda and Pest—unfold like a living postcard, best viewed from the water after dusk.

Unlace your shoes for a soak in Budapest’s outdoor thermal pools, set within grand Neo-Baroque courtyards. Locals play chess in the steam while minerals work their restorative magic.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Choose from saunas, whirlpools and cooler dips to find your perfect soak cycle in Europe’s spa capital.

Paddle alpine rapids with an expert guide, bouncing through standing waves and eddies as mountain walls rise around you. Teamwork and laughter keep boats upright and spirits high.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Wetsuits, safety briefings and calm sections between runs make it accessible even for first-timers.

Glide along UNESCO-listed canals to admire gabled warehouses, tilt-test houses and arched bridges lit by fairy-string lamps. From the water, the city’s Golden Age geometry truly sings.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Commentary maps neighborhoods to their maritime past while you relax into Amsterdam’s effortless charm.

Discover Paris on a guided sweep past the city’s greatest hits, from the grand sweep of the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, the elegant courtyards of the Louvre, and views of the Eiffel Tower. Your Local Team highlights the stories that shaped the City of Light, setting you up to explore with confidence.

Hear how Notre-Dame rose from medieval Île de la Cité and how Haussmann’s boulevards reinvented the capital. Architectural set pieces, café culture, and riverbank life reveal the rhythm of Paris beyond the postcards.

Contiki