Speed across the lagoon by private motoscafo, skimming past domes and campanili toward the heart of Venice. As the skyline sharpens, spot Doge’s Palace and the campanile of St Mark’s Square, and feel the salt-tinged breeze that signals your arrival in a city shaped entirely by water.

This evocative approach frames Venice as merchants and ambassadors once saw it—palaces floating above green canals, stone quays alive with gondolas, and sunset over the lagoon tinting facades in rose and gold.

Stroll the historic core of Rome, threading cobbled lanes to the Trevi Fountain, the time-polished Pantheon, and the baroque theater of Piazza Navona. Your Trip Manager shares handy tips and local legends that bring the Eternal City’s layers to life.

Hear tales of emperors and artists as you admire sculpted fountains, sun-warmed stone, and espresso-scented piazzas. This essentials walk helps you decide where to return for gelato, sunset photos, and a classic Roman aperitivo.

Join an evening cruise along the Danube as Budapest lights up both banks. Glide beneath the Chain Bridge and past illuminated icons like Buda Castle and Parliament, while dinner is served onboard against a panorama of spires and grand boulevards reflected in the water.

Savor Hungarian flavors and perhaps sample regional wines as landmarks drift by. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; your team can confirm timings and inclusions during your stay in Budapest.

Soak in thermal pools fed by mineral-rich springs at either the neo-baroque Széchenyi Baths or the Art Nouveau Gellért Baths. Move between steaming outdoor pools and ornate indoor halls, letting winter air meet warm water for a cloud of gentle, rising mist.

Embrace a ritual treasured by locals for generations, from tranquil soaking to invigorating saunas. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; your team will advise on venue choice, locker options, and recommended visit times.

Take a gondola ride through Venice’s narrow back canals, gliding beneath arched bridges and alongside rippling reflections of centuries-old palazzi. The hush of oars on water and the gentle sway of the lagoon reveal a quieter rhythm beyond the grand squares.

Float past hidden courtyards and softly lit windows as your gondolier navigates timeworn waterways. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; your team will assist with departure points and pairing into boats.

Discover Venice on a guided food tour, hopping between traditional bàcari to taste cicchetti—bite-sized plates of lagoon-fresh seafood, creamy baccalà and crisp polpette—paired with an ombra or a Venetian spritz. Learn how locals graze and gather in these intimate taverns.

Absorb stories of maritime trade and spice routes that shaped Venetian flavors while you sample regional wines and seasonal specialties. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; dietary notes can be shared with your host in advance.

Roll fresh pasta by hand with a friendly chef, learning the knack for silky tagliatelle or stuffed ravioli before you cook a homemade meal together. Stir classic Roman sauces—think cacio e pepe or amatriciana—and sit down to share your creations with a glass of local wine.

Feel the convivial buzz of a neighborhood kitchen and pick up techniques to recreate at home. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; vegetarian options are typically available.

Step inside the Colosseum with timed entry to hear tales of emperors, spectators, and gladiators. Continue amid temple ruins in the Roman Forum and rise to Palatine Hill for views over Rome’s ancient heart, where myth and archaeology intertwine.

Walk storied stone with a licensed guide who brings the city’s origins to life. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; availability can vary and some departures may offer this visit later in the day.

Visit the Auschwitz–Birkenau Memorial and Museum for a solemn encounter with history. Walk the grounds of Birkenau, pause by preserved barracks and watchtowers, and reflect beside memorial plaques that honor the lives lost. This is a time for quiet remembrance and learning, guided by context that fosters respect and understanding.

Gain deeper insight into the Holocaust and its enduring lessons. Exhibits and surviving structures speak to the scale of persecution and the necessity of remembrance, supporting thoughtful reflection during your time in southern Poland.

Pause for photos and a relaxed wander through Námestie SNP (Slovak National Uprising Square), framed by pastel facades and crowned by the town’s leaning Clock Tower. Stroll past baroque statues and winter-warm cafés as mountain air drifts down from the Low Tatras, adding a crisp edge to the scenery.

Hear how mining wealth shaped this handsome market town and admire the blend of Gothic and Renaissance details. This short-but-rich stop invites you to pause for photos and reflection amid Central Europe’s small-city charm.

Discover Slovenia’s storybook capital on an easy walk that crosses Prešeren Square and the elegant Triple Bridge. Follow the Ljubljanica’s willow-lined banks to the dragon-sentinelled Dragon Bridge, where your Trip Manager points out cafés, galleries, and riverside spots that capture the city’s youthful energy.

Learn how architect Jože Plecnik reimagined Ljubljana with harmonious colonnades and markets. The mix of Baroque spires and modern design offers a gentle, creative atmosphere—perfect for lingering over coffee and watching the river glide through the old town.

• 9 Breakfast (B)
• 1 Dinner (D)

• 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.
• Rome: You might have the chance to join a guided Colosseum tour. Heads up: sometimes the only available tour slots are later in the day, after the trip ends. If you’re super keen to see the Colosseum, we recommend booking a flight that departs after 4pm.
• Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum: Due to new regulations, we cannot guarantee Auschwitz entry tickets for bookings made less than 60 days before your visit. We’ll make every effort to secure your ticket, but if we’re unable to do so, we’ll provide an alternative included experience of equal value.

• Kraków: Get your bearings in this medieval Polish city. Our orientation will get you familiar with the cathedral, Royal Castle and all the best places to grab a beer.  
• Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum: Reflect on the tragedies of the past with a solemn visit to the largest concentration camp in World War II. Please note: Due to new regulations we cannot guarantee tickets for Auschwitz for bookings made less than 60 days prior to your visit. We will make every effort to secure your ticket however if we are unable to do so we will provide an alternative inclusion of equal value. 
• Banská Bystrica: This historic Slovakian city is filled with ornate buildings and framed by snow-capped mountains. It’s the perfect Insta backdrop! 
• Ljubljana: Join your new gang for an orientation of Slovenia’s fairytale-like capital. Get your fix of rainbow architecture, Insta-friendly bridges and epic mountain backdrops.
• 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! 

Contiki

Explore Kraków’s medieval core on an engaging city stroll, taking in the Main Market Square, the arcaded Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), and views up to Wawel Royal Castle. Your Trip Manager highlights stories behind the pastel townhouses and the bugle call from St. Mary’s Basilica, helping you get your bearings from the very first steps.

Absorb the city’s layered past, from royal processions to café culture along the Vistula. Discover where to return for pierogi, jazz cellars, and artisan crafts as you learn how Kraków flourished as a medieval trade hub and university town.