European Inspiration

Itinerary

Day 1 London to Amsterdam
Meet up with your Contiki Crew before we hit the road and take a ferry past the White Cliffs of Dover. Next stop: the buzzing, freewheeling city of Amsterdam. Check out Amsterdam’s eye-opening Red Light District, where the creative and wacky come together on narrow cobbled streets. With an optional evening canal cruise, you’ve got a chance to get to know the group, unwind with a few drinks and uncover Amsterdam from the water. Get some pointers on the city’s hot spots from your Tour Manager and head into town for a fun night out.

Day 2 Amsterdam
Cruise into the countryside and bike around like the laid back locals, past working windmills, to the world-famous cheese village of Edam. In an intro into Dutch culture, see how clogs are made and try some of the famous Dutch Edam at a cheese farm. Experience Amsterdam’s coffee shops, museums and cool, quirky boutiques. In your free time, wander along shady canals and pass gabled houses. Try out Amsterdam’s multi-ethnic cuisine. This cultural melting pot dishes up loads of affordable food.

Day 3 Amsterdam to Berlin
Motor down the autobahn and get ready for a dose of über-cool Berlin. With 2 nights in this historical hot spot, you’ve got time to find out what makes Germany’s capital one of the most cutting-edge cities in the world. It’s hard to believe that this funky town has had such a troubled past.

Day 4 Berlin
We’ll give you the background on Berlin’s troubled history in our morning city tour. Learn about the East/West split at the Berlin Wall and check out the controversial Reichstag (German Parliament) as well as Tiergarten (one the world’s biggest parks), while you Tour Manager points out the little details and peels back the layers of history. Visit Checkpoint Charlie, where many East Berliners tried to escape to the West, and be reminded of Germany’s darker past at the Brandenburg Gate. With free time, get inspired by Berlin’s creative scene and check out its galleries and street art. As a world forerunner in contemporary art, Berlin’s walls are covered in cutouts and graffiti. Shopping-wise, this town has it all and is right up there defining style. Berlin is great for small boutiques, funky fashions and one-of-a-kind buys. Your Tour Manager knows Berlin’s ins and outs, so get some pointers before you splurge. Experience the world of espionage in an optional evening Eye Spy Berlin tour with our Local Guide, and enjoy a fascinating look into the Stasi (what was once the East German Secret Police). Do as the Berliners do and grab a curry wurst (a local favourite) and kick back at a bierkeller (German beer house). Then top off your time in Berlin with some of your new friends and explore the city’s legendary nightlife. With cool cocktail bars and some of the best techno clubs in the world, there are heaps of fun choices.

Day 5 Berlin to Prague
Heading south, we roll on to the region of Dresden, often dubbed “Florence of the North” because of its beauty. This town completely rebuilt itself after being flattened in World War II. Your Tour Manager will show you Dresden’s signature buildings, like the Opera house, the domed Frauenkirche, the Royal Residence – once home to the Saxon Kings – and the Zwinger Fortress, a massive palace where royals went to party! Lunchtime! Go local and hang out in a river side beer garden, order some hearty German dishes with regional specialities like sour roast and potato soup. Then we head over the border and into the Czech Republic to Prague.

Day 6 Prague
Prague is a beautiful and atmospheric city. It’s also pretty compact, so it’s best explored on foot. Get straight into Prague’s historic heart with your Tour Manager. You’ll walk together over the landmark Charles Bridge, through Hradcany Castle, the home of the original Bohemian Kings and to the gothic St Vitus Cathedral, along the way. Choose a lunch cruise on the Vltava River, which runs through the heart of Prague, and take in stunning views of the city from the water. The Czech capital has a really mixed past so look out for signs of the Roman Empire, the Bohemian Empire, the Nazis and the Communists. Free time means you can get deeper into Prague’s old town in your own time. The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a jumble of little lanes, alleys and courtyards. Slow the pace down and give yourself a chance to uncover its hidden treasures. Spend some time in the picturesque Old Town Square, where historic buildings and churches surround cafes that spill out onto the pavement. With some world-famous Czech pilsner in hand, park yourself at a table, people-watch and try out some of the traditional local dumplings. This is also the spot to pick up some famous bohemian glass, beads or garnet and amber jewellery By night, Prague bursts with possibilities. Loaded with all types of music, from jazz bars and hip DJs to opera, there is something for everyone, so make the most of it with your friends.

Day 7 Prague to Munich
This morning, remember one of history’s darkest moments with a sobering stop at Dachau concentration camp. Learn more at the museum and walk through the remaining living quarters. Afterwards we travel to the home of the world-famous Oktoberfest, Munich - a city that blends traditional Bavarian culture and modern lifestyle. Explore the heart of Munich’s Old Town with the crew, and head to Marienplatz. It’s a central gathering spot famous for the Glockenspiel - a gothic clock, complete with 32 dancing figures and 43 chiming bells. Then, get a taste of tradition at a typical beer hall. Park yourself at a long wooden table, order yourself some hearty local food, like roasted pork, and quench your thirst with a stein of one of Germany’s 5000 brews.

Day 8 Munich
Use your free time to discover more of Munich. Give an optional bike tour a go and get off the beaten track and onto Munich’s side streets with our Local Guide. Otherwise head back to the old town and hunt around the little shops on the pedestrian-only lanes or for a change of scene, head to the university area. With shaded streets, buzzing pavement cafes and cute bookstores, it’s a great way to spend a chilled-out afternoon.

Day 9 Munich to Venice
Wind through the Bavarian Alps and Brenner Pass to Venice. But first, roll on through the Tyrol’s massive mountains to a region famous for adventure sports. Dive into some white-water rafting in an adrenaline-pumping optional activity on the river. Next up is Venice. Known as the “floating city”, Venice is packed with character, crammed with hidden lanes and linked by a network of canals.

Day 10 Venice
Jump on our private boat and travel 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 Venice’s unique beauty and way of life. Learn about local artistry with a traditional glass blowing demonstration – a craft Venice 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 awesome experience as you are punted through the waterways.

Day 11 Venice to Rome
Criss-cross the Apennine Mountains on the road to Rome. Stylish Rome oozes energy and overflows with relics from another age. Our special access coach tour gets you right into the thriving atmosphere of this living timeline as your Tour Manager shows you the Colosseum and Piazza Venzia. Continue on foot to check out the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Honour tradition at the Trevi Fountain and throw a coin in the fountain’s waters (it’s meant to improve your chances of returning to Rome!) or maybe hang out with your new friends at the Spanish Steps, sit back with a few slices of pizza and people watch.

Day 12 Rome
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. 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. Use your free time and live the local lifestyle by indulging in a long lunch on a paved piazza or knock back a shot of espresso at the bar, just like the Romans.

Day 13 Rome to Florence
Next up: Umbria’s many vineyards. En route we stop by Pisa and get up close to the famous Leaning Tower. Before arriving in Florence, we’ll stop off for a wine tasting in the rustic hills of the gorgeous Tuscan countryside, known for its iconic cypress trees and olive oil. In an historic villa, the group will see a working winery, complete with its old cellar and vats. Here you can learn more about the region’s wines as you taste a glass or two of the local wine. The scene-stealing Duomo cathedral rises above Florence, which serves up frescoes, markets and priceless art. After dinner, walk along the River Arno with your Tour Manager, take in the atmosphere and head into the heart of Florence, where you can sit back and relax Tuscan style with a glass of chianti wine.

Day 14 Florence
Jump start the day uncovering this open-air museum and its UNESCO World Heritage 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.

Day 15 Florence to Lucerne
We head to the jaw-droppingly beautiful alpine town of Lucerne. With covered wooden bridges, cobbled lanes and quaint buildings, Lucerne’s centre is perfect to explore on foot. Also to stock up on lots of genuine Swiss chocolate! Your Tour Manager can give you pointers on where to pick up the best-priced watches that Switzerland is so famous for.

Day 16 Lucerne
Get above the clouds on the world’s steepest cog railway with an optional excursion to Mt Pilatus. You can see massive mountain ranges with a bird’s-eye view over this spectacular region. This afternoon, choose an optional cruise on one of Europe’s most striking lakes, where stunning scenes of the Swiss Alps reflect back across the water.

Day 17 Lucerne to Paris
With down-time on the coach, plug in your MP3, chill out to some music and chat with friends while travelling through the scenic wine producing region of Burgundy. 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. After the tour, enjoy another angle on the city with our included cruise along the River Seine. The lights of Paris and its buildings are spectacular when seen from the water.

Day 18 Paris
Next up: Fragonard! This perfumery has an elegant interior and is a unique setting for a look into the history of perfume. It’s also a chance to pick up some French perfume at great prices. This town is loaded with possibilities. Discover its many bistros, museums, tree-lined avenues and diverse quartiers (neighbourhoods). Get a feel for French flair by window shopping on the Left Bank. Step into the Notre Dame or explore the endless galleries of the Louvre, where you can get up close to the famous Mona Lisa. In your free time, try indulging in some delicious pastries and relax in one of Paris’ many city parks. Tonight is the last night with your friends, so make it special. Treat yourself to the full Parisian night out, starting with an optional dinner in an atmospheric restaurant. Then sign up for an authentic cabaret experience, complete with can-can girls, dinner and champagne. But don’t stop there – afterwards hit the clubs and finish up your travels with a big Parisian night out.

Day 19 Paris to London
Catch the ferry from Calais back to England, where the tour ends and it’s time to say farewell to your new friends.

Included Highlights

Amsterdam: See the city by night; Visit a fishing and cheese village; Bicycle tour of the Dutch countryside; Visit a cheese farm & clog maker's house
Berlin: See the Tiergarten, Alexanderplatz, Russian War Memorial, Brandenburg Gate, historic Reichstag building and the remains of the Berlin Wall
Prague: See Hradcany Castle, the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square
Munich: See the Glockenspiel & Marienplatz; Visit a beerhall
Austrian Tyrol: See this pretty mountain region famous for adrenalin sports
Brenner Pass: Scenic drive past vineyards, orchards & castles
Venice: Private motorboat to the historic islands; See the Bridge of Sighs, the Doges' Palace & St. Mark's Square; Murano glass-blowing & Burano lace-making demonstrations
Rome: See Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Colosseum & Roman Forum
Vatican City: See St. Peter's Basilica
Pisa: See the Leaning Tower
Florence: Walking tour with a local guide; See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry & Piazza della Signoria; Florentine leather craft demonstration
Lucerne: See the Wooden Chapel Bridge; Scenic Alpine drive
Burgundy: See the Chablis & Burgundy vineyards
Paris: Evening Tour of Illuminations; See the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Champs Élysées, and Notre Dame Cathedral; Visit a French Perfumery

Only with Contiki

Experienced, professional Tour Manager & Driver
Modern, air-conditioned coach with outlets for charging
Ferry crossing as per itinerary
Sightseeing tours of all major cities
Free Contiki Travelers Guide
Free Contiki document wallet 

From only R21,555 per person