Trip Itinerary (Summer)
Day 1: London to Amsterdam: A warm welcome from your Contiki Crew as we head for the White Cliffs of Dover and the Channel crossing to France. We travel through Belgium and into The Netherlands. After dinner a chance to explore this unique city and its amazing nightlife. (D)
Day 2: Amsterdam. Visit the cheese village of Edam on a bicycle tour of the Dutch countryside. Spend your free time wandering along the canals, shopping or visiting famous museums such as the Van Gogh Musuem and Anne Frank's House. (B)
Day 3: Amsterdam to Rhine Valley. Leaving the 'City of Diamonds' we cross the German border and head for the stunning Rhine Valley. At St Goar we take a Rhine river cruise past vineyards, fairy-tale castles and the legendary Lorelei rock before learning how beersteins are crafted. (B,D)
Day 4: Rhine Valley to Swiss Alps: Our path takes us toward the towering Alps and the vast serene lakes of Switzerland. Be charmed by medieval Lucerne with its Chapel Bridge, Lion monument and plentiful shopping opportunities. Maybe a cruise on Lake Lucerne to enhance your ultimate Swiss encounter? Tonight's accommodation is at the base of the snow-capped Mt Titlis. (B,D)
Day 5: Swiss Alps at Leisure: A chance for a different perspective of the Alps today as a revolving cable car journey offers breath-taking panoramic views before reaching the summit of Mt Titlis. Cross a glacier, play in the snow or simply marvel at the scenery. You have free time in Engelberg this afternoon and tonight enjoy the nightlife in this popular resort town. (B,D)
Day 6: Swiss Alps to Innsbruck: Pause in Vaduz, capital of Liechtenstein before crossing the border to Austria. Snow-capped Alps form the backdrop for you to try white water rafting this afternoon and later we arrive in Innsbruck where you can view the well-known 'Golden Roof'. (B,D)
Day 7: Innsbruck to Venice: We wind our way over the Brenner Pass, cross the border into Italy and through the regal Dolomite mountain range. It's a short boat ride into the historical centre of Venice to see St Mark's Square, the Doge?s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy 'La Serenissima' on a gondola ride this evening. (B)
Day 8: Venice to Rome: Past medieval hillside villages and through the Appennine Mountains, we travel south to the fabled Seven Hills of Rome. Do as the Romans do and stroll past the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Later be delighted by your first glimpse of the Colosseum on our sightseeing tour. (B)
Day 9: Rome Sightseeing: Ancient and modern Rome awaits your discovery. Why not start your day with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel? In your free time explore the Forum of Imperial Rome, search for Gladiators at the Colosseum, snap up Italian fashions or just watch the world go by with a gelato (or two). (B,D)
Day 10: Rome to Florence: Our morning drive leads us to Florence, the Renaissance city in the beautiful mountain folds of Tuscany. Learn about the Duomo, Giotto's Bell-Tower, Piazza della Signoria and Santa Croce as our expert local guide walks us through the city. (B)
Day 11: Florence to French Riviera: Our first stop this morning is Pisa where we see the world-famous Leaning Tower. Winding along the beautiful coastline we reach France and the Riviera playground of the Côte d'Azur. (B,D)
Day 12: French Riviera at Leisure: Rub shoulders with the rich and famous on the Nice promenade, shop for French fashion or laze the day away on the sun-drenched beaches. Tonight we visit Monaco! Why not join us tonight for an elegant meal, view the Royal Palace and take the opportunity to try your luck at the casinos of Monte Carlo? (B)
Day 13: French Riviera to Lyon: We visit a French perfumery before our lunch stop in Avignon where you can view the Palace of the Popes. Then north along the Rhone Valley to the gastronomical capital of France, Lyon. (B)
Day 14: Lyon to Paris: Today we stop at the magnificent Château Fontainbleau where we have time for a croissant before venturing on to Paris, the 'City of Lights'. What better introduction than with our sightseeing tour and your first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower? (B,D)
Day 15: Paris Sightseeing: Today's sightseeing includes some of the most celebrated icons of Europe. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe or the Champs Elysées. Tonight, why not complete your Parisian experience with a French meal and a famous Parisian cabaret? (B)
Day 16: Paris to London: We visit the Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge on the way to our cross-channel ferry back to England. Time to swap addresses and say goodbye as we arrive early evening in London. (B)
Trip Itinerary (Winter)
Day 1: London to Amsterdam. A warm welcome from your Contiki Crew as we head for the White Cliffs of Dover and the Channel crossing to France. We travel through Belgium and into the Netherlands. After dinner a chance to explore this unique city and it's amazing nightlife. (D)
Day 2: Amsterdam. Visit the cheese village of Edam to learn how cheese and clogs are made. Spend your free time wandering along the canals, shopping or visiting famous museums such as the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank's House. (B)
Day 3: Amsterdam to Rhine Valley. Leaving the 'City of Diamonds' we cross the German border and head for the stunning Rhine Valley. Enjoy the views of vineyards, fairy-tale castles and the legendary Lorelei rock before stopping in St. Goar and learning how beersteins are crafted. (B,D)
Day 4: Rhine Valley to Lucerne. Our path takes us toward the towering Alps and vast serene lakes of Switzerland. A special treat is our two night stopover in Europe's highest hotel on the top of Mt. Pilatus. Enjoy fabulous views from the cable car on your trip to the summit. (B,D)
Day 5: Lucerne. Take the cable car down the mountain and be charmed by medieval Lucerne with its Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument and opportunities to shop for watches and Swiss chocolate. (B,D)
Day 6: Lucerne to Innsbruck. Pause in Vaduz, capital of Liechtenstein before crossing the border in to Austria. This afternoon time to explore Innsbruck where you can visit the Royal Palace or view the famous 'Golden Roof'. (B,D)
Day 7: Innsbruck to Venice. Today we wind through the astonishing beauty of the Brenner Pass to cross the border into Italy. It's a short boat ride to the historical centre of Venice to see St Mark's Square, the Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. There's no better way to see Venice than from a gondola so why not join us for a ride before treating yourself to a Venetian evening meal? (B)
Day 8: Venice to Rome. Past medieval hillside villages and through the Apennine Mountains, we travel south to the fabled Seven Hills of Rome. Do as the Romans do and stroll past the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Later be delighted by your first glimpse of the Colosseum on our sightseeing tour. (B)
Day 9: Rome. Today why not discover the secrets of the Vatican City and Sistine Chapel with a local guide? In your free time wander the ancient ruins of Rome. (B,D)
Day 10: Rome to Florence. Our morning drive leads us to Florence, the Renaissance city in the beautiful mountain folds of Tuscany. Learn about the Duomo, Giotto's Bell-Tower, Piazza della Signoria and Santa Croce as our expert local guide walks us through the city. Free time to shop or visit one of the famous museums. (B)
Day 11: Florence to French Riviera. Our first stop this morning is Pisa where we see the world-famous Leaning Tower. Winding along the beautiful coastline we reach France and the Riviera playground of the Côte d'Azur. (B,D)
Day 12: French Riviera. Rub shoulders with the jet-set on the promenade at Nice and enjoy your chance to relax or shop for French fashion. Tonight we visit Monaco! Why not join us for an elegant meal, view the Royal Palace and take the opportunity to try your luck at the casinos of Monte Carlo? (B)
Day 13: French Riviera to Lyon. We visit a French perfumery before our lunch stop in Avignon where you can view the Palace of the Popes. Then north along the Rhone Valley to the gastronomical capital of France, Lyon. (B)
Day 14: Lyon to Paris. Today we stop at the magnificent Château Fontainbleau where we have time for a croissant before venturing on to Paris, the 'City of Lights'. What better introduction than with our sightseeing tour and your first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower? (B,D)
Day 15: Paris. Today's sightseeing includes some of the most celebrated icons of Europe. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe or the Champs Elysées. Tonight, why not complete your Parisian experience with a French meal and a famous Parisian cabaret? (B)
Day 16: Paris to London. We visit the Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge on the way to our cross-channel ferry back to England. Time to swap addresses and say goodbye as we arrive early evening in London. (B)
