Day 1: London to Paris. A warm welcome from your Contiki Crew as we head for the White Cliffs of Dover and the Channel crossing to France. We drive past World War I battlefields to the splendour of Paris. What better way to begin than with an evening tour of the "City Of Lights"? Contiki Village (D)
Days 2-3: Paris. Two full days to see some of the most celebrated icons of Europe. We visit the majestic Château Versailles (entry not included), home to Louis XIV. In your free time take the opportunity to visit the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe or the Champs Elysées. Why not complete your Parisian experience with a French meal and a famous Parisian cabaret? Contiki Village (B)(B,D)
Day 4: Paris to Beaujolais Wine Region. Today's journey leads us to Contiki's exclusive Château de Cruix nestled in the Beaujolais vineyards near Lyon. Contiki Special Stopover (B,D)
Day 5: Beaujolais Wine Region. This morning explore the French countryside and enjoy your included picnic lunch. In the afternoon relax and soak in the idyllic atmosphere of rural France. Contiki Special Stopover (B, Picnic Lunch, D)
Day 6: Beaujolais Wine Region to Barcelona. Our journey south today takes us to the impressive Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard. As we skim past the Pyrenées we catch our first glimpse of the world-famous Mediterranean and arrive in vibrant Barcelona. Contiki Village (B,D)
Day 7: Barcelona. Our included sightseeing tour is a great introduction to this celebrated city. See Gaudi's Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the 1992 Olympic Complex and the Gothic district. A chance to experience Barcelona's famed shopping street La Ramblas and discover some of Spain's specialties. Tonight why not experience the passion of Flamenco dancing? Contiki Village (B)
Day 8: Barcelona to French Riviera. We return to France today and travel through the beautiful Camargue region to the walled city of Aigues Mortes. A chance to wander through the streets of this historic town before continuing to the glamorous French Riviera. Contiki Village (B,D)
Day 9: French Riviera. It's your choice today - perhaps mix with the rich and famous on the beach at Cannes or take a trip into Nice for a spot of shopping. Tonight we visit Monaco! View the Royal Palace and take the opportunity to try your luck at the casinos of Monte Carlo. Contiki Village (B,D)
Day 10: French Riviera to Venice. We visit a French perfumery before entering Italy and making our way to Verona, home of Romeo and Juliet. A warm welcome awaits tonight at Contiki's Venice village. Contiki Village (B,D)
Day 11: Venice. A short boat ride takes us into the historical centre of Venice to see St. Mark's Square, the Doges' Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. See glass and lace making demonstrations and why not treat yourself to a gondola ride? Contiki Village (B,D)
Day 12: Venice to Florence. We travel to Pisa, home of the famous leaning tower. From here it's a short journey to the most spectacular of Renaissance cities, Florence. Contiki Village (B,D)
Day 13: Florence. Your day includes a walking tour seeing the Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and Santa Croce and a chance to shop for leather, gold and silver. In your free time maybe visit one of the city's many museums or galleries and this evening enjoy the colourful Florentine nightlife. Contiki Village (B)
Day 14: Florence to Rome. All roads lead to Rome where our included sightseeing tour is the perfect introduction to the Eternal City. This afternoon why not discover this city of Gladiators with a local guide? Then, do as the Romans do and stroll past the Trevi Fountain, the amazing Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. Contiki Village (B)
Day 15: Rome. Once at the centre of the powerful Roman Empire this city, steeped in centuries of ancient history, awaits your discovery. The Colosseum, Imperial Forum and the treasures of the Vatican City make for a day of serious sightseeing. Contiki Village (B,D)
Day 16: Rome to Corfu. A chance to take a guided tour of the ancient city of Pompeii as we travel across Italy to board our overnight ferry to Greece. Adriatic Ferry (B)
Days 17-18: Corfu. Two sun-filled days on the beautiful Greek island of Corfu staying at Contiki's Special Stopover. Windsurf, waterski, parasail, swim or just soak up the sun. Get off the beaten track in an open-top 4-wheel drive jeep or cruise along the coast. At night, enjoy the local cuisine and try your hand (or feet) at Greek dancing. Contiki Special Stopover (B,D)(B)
Day 19: Corfu to Athens. Today we we travel through the Peloponnese and across the Corinth Canal to Athens. Hotel (B,D)
Day 20: Athens to Cairo. A whole day in Athens where our city tour includes the first modern Olympic stadium, the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Later this evening we fly to Cairo. Hotel (B,D)
Day 21: Cairo Sightseeing - Overnight train to Aswan. Our sightseeing tour starts with the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Later we discover the ancient treasures of the Egyptian Museum accompanied by our local guide. We board our overnight train this evening. Overnight Train (B,D)
Day 22: Aswan. Enjoy a calming felucca ride across the great Nile River to the elegant Botanical Gardens where you have time to leisurely stroll the length of this unique island. Tonight enjoy the lively and vibrant atmosphere of Aswan. Hotel (B)
Day 23: Aswan to Luxor. This morning a chance to join our fantastic excursion to Abu Simbel, the most complete example of ancient Egyptian architecture in existence. Built over 3000 years ago, the temples were moved to their present site, safely above the waters of Lake Nasser less than 50 years ago! This afternoon we journey by train to Luxor to view the vast temples of Karnak and Luxor. Hotel (B)
Day 24: Luxor to Red Sea. This morning a chance to visit the Necropolis of Thebes, Valley of the Kings, burial site of the pharoah King Tutankhamun. This afternoon we drive across the desert to the Red Sea resort of Hurghada. Hotel (B)
Day 25: Red Sea to Cairo. Back to the capital where you will have time to perfect your bargaining skills in the colourful bazaars of Cairo. Later, be impressed by grand and ornate mosques of the city on a tour with our local guide. Hotel (B,D)
Day 26: Cairo to Athens. We transfer to Cairo airport for our flight to Athens where we rejoin our fellow travellers. Hotel (B)
Day 27: Athens to Kavala. We drive past Spartan Thermopylae and Thessaloniki, once the capital of the Byzantine Empire, and then on to our seaside overnight stop at Kavala. Hotel (B,D)
Day 28: Kavala to Cannakale. After crossing the border into Turkey we cross the Dardanelles to see Troy's Wooden Horse. Hotel (B,D)
Day 29: Cannakale to Istanbul. We take time to pay tribute at Gallipoli and Anzac Cove. Travel onwards to Istanbul where you'll have a chance to revel in a night of belly dancing, eastern food, and music. Hotel (B)
Day 30: Istanbul. Today our guide leads us through the spice markets and into the heart of the city where you can bargain at the Grand Bazaar or treat yourself to a relaxing Turkish bath. Hotel (B,D)
Day 31: Istanbul to Black Sea. We cross the border into Bulgaria and stay at a hotel in a popular resort town on the Black Sea Coast. Hotel (B,D)
Day 32: Black Sea to Bucharest. Across the mighty Danube to Romania and its capital, Bucharest. Learn about this fascinating city and its imposing buildings on our included sightseeing tour with a local guide. Hotel (B,D)
Day 33: Bucharest to Cluj. Through the Romanian countryside to Cluj. Hotel (B,D)
Day 34: Cluj to Budapest. Across the great Hungarian plain to Hungary and its capital city, Budapest, built on both sides of the Danube. Hotel (B)
Day 35: Budapest to Vienna. Sightseeing takes in the quaint hill-top Buda and bustling Pest, before we waltz into the home of Mozart and Strauss to see the splendours of the once mighty Austrian Empire. Classical music to heighten your senses tonight? Youth Hotel (B)
Day 36: Vienna. On our sightseeing tour see the fabulous Palace of the Hapsburgs, the State Opera House and fashionable Kärntnerstrasse. In your free time try authentic apple strudel and Viennese coffee. Later why not sample some local Schnaps and a traditional Viennese meal? Youth Hotel (B)
Day 37: Vienna to Munich. On to Bavaria's lively capital Munich, home to the Oktoberfest. Maybe join us this evening at one of this city's traditional Beer Halls. Youth Hotel (B)
Day 38: Munich to Austrian Tyrol. Our orientation tour of Munich includes the Glockenspiel and Marienplatz. Take the opportunity to go white-water rafting in the heart of the Austrian Alps before a special welcome awaits at Contiki's own Gasthof. Contiki Special Stopover (B,D)
Day 39: Austrian Tyrol. The picture-postcard village of Hopfgarten is an excellent base to make the most of the beautiful countryside. Experience a vast range of outdoor activities: hiking, mountain biking, paragliding or perhaps trout fishing. Contiki Special Stopover (B,D)
Day 40: Austrian Tyrol to Swiss Alps. We stop for lunch in Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. Enjoy time to shop and see the sights in Lucerne before reaching our idyllic stop in the Swiss Alps. Contiki Special Stopover (B,D)
Day 41: Swiss Alps. A spectacular day where you can choose to hike the many trails or maybe enjoy a trip up the snow-covered Jungfrau mountain on a cog railway that passes through the Eiger mountain! Contiki Special Stopover (B,D)
Day 42: Swiss Alps to Rhine Valley. Heading north we re-enter Germany and visit the university town of Heidelberg on the banks of the Neckar River. Tonight we stay in the picturesque Rhine Valley after seeing the famous Lorelei and hearing how German beersteins are crafted in St Goar. Hotel (B,D)
Day 43: Rhine Valley to Amsterdam. We cross the Dutch border and make our way to Amsterdam. Visit a cheese farm and see how clogs are made. Cycle through the countryside and the fishing village of Edam. A centrally located hotel is home for our last two nights. Youth Hotel (B,D)
Day 44: Amsterdam. This morning why not take a canal bike ride to further explore Amsterdam? In your free time perhaps visit famous sights such as Anne Frank's House or the Van Gogh Museum. Tonight we celebrate our last evening together. Youth Hotel (B)
Day 45: Amsterdam to London. Time to swap addresses and e-mail contacts as we travel through the Belgian countryside and back to Calais for our ferry crossing to England. (B)
