European Highlights
with Contiki
- Expert Trip Manager, Driver Team & Local Guides
- Visit 7 countries in 2 weeks
- Social travel for 18-35s
- Save up to 25%^
This trip delivers a highlight reel of European beauty, history, culture and food over two unforgettable weeks.
![A group of young travellers in Rome](https://www-cdn.rac.com.au/-/media/images/rac-website/travel-and-touring/others/travel/contiki/1691eurs2019c_resized-500x333.jpg?modified=20240311024323)
![Young travellers enjoying sunshine in Amsterdam.](https://www-cdn.rac.com.au/-/media/images/rac-website/travel-and-touring/others/travel/contiki/european-encounter-2_resized-500x333.jpg?modified=20240311024535)
![Two young travellers enjoying some ice-cream in the sun](https://www-cdn.rac.com.au/-/media/images/rac-website/travel-and-touring/others/travel/contiki/european-encounter_resized-500x333.jpg?modified=20240311024736)
The perfect loop from that will see you gawping at the glittering lights of Paris one moment to gliding through Venetian canals the next. Oh, and did we mention the French Riviera and a stay at Contiki's legendary private chateau? Twinkling cities, lush vineyards and enough culture to fill a thousand journals - this one has it all.
The one that does Europe’s best bucket list destinations in 2 weeks.
Highlights:
- Taste Wine at the Château: Be a VIP at the epic Contiki Château and fill up on a banquet of classic French dishes and wines. Ooh la la!
- Visit Pisa (for that Epic Selfie): Your ultimate chance to ‘hold the tower up’ as you pose for that classic Insta snap.
- See a Paris Cabaret Show: Get your glad rags on… it’s time for a night out at the Parisian cabaret. From your lamp-lit table, you’ll feast your eyes on a succession of feathers, sequins, can-can girls, acrobats, and comedians – sipping on delicious French champagne all the while. (At additional cost)
- Tuscan Dinner: Wind down with the fantastic local wine, Chianti, in the heart of Florence. In true Italian fashion, our warm hosts will load your table with a feast of entrées followed by a house speciality & something 'dolce' for dessert. (At additional cost)
- Mike's Bike Tour: Explore Munich like a true Bavarian & join us on a guided bike tour when you cycle past the famous sights as your Local Guide explains the fascinating history of the city. (At additional cost)
Inclusions:
- 9 nights in Hostels, 3 nights in Hotels, 1 night in Special Stay
- 13 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners
- Expert Trip Manager, Driver Team & Local Guides
Day 1: London to Paris
London - Join forces in London & get to know the wolf pack you're about to take on Europe with. We'll hit the road this morning and make tracks for two weeks of adventure.
Dover - Shortly before we find our ferry for France, we'll be taking in the English coastline beauty of the White Cliffs of Dover. They owe their gorgeousness to their composition of chalk - you're learning and we haven't even left the UK!
Calais - Off the ferry we arrive in the port town of Calais - French soil! We will travel via World War I battlefields in the Valley of the Somme, before reaching .... Paris!
Paris - Pop the champagne, dial up the romance, & pass the escargot - we're in Paris, baby! Don't waste a second unpacking, we're going to hit the streets and see how this city comes alive by night.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Paris
Today's the day to stroll the beautiful streets of Paris, with plenty of time to lust over designer haute couture or French vintage stores, admire the Notre Dame Cathedral, order coffee and crêpes, or get artsy at the many museums of the Louvre. Tonight, foodies will have the chance to eat a Parisian feast in Montmartre, surrounded by cobbled lanes, village-esque cafes, street artists and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Otherwise, this is your night to sign up for an iconic Parisian cabaret show. Either option will give you the perfect way to make it one to remember!
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 - Paris to Beaujolais Wine Region
Paris - Farewell French capital! We're off in search of charming countryside & legit, straight from the source vino.
Fontainebleau
With its medieval stature and grand surrounding ponds, Château Fontainebleau will take your breath away. We'll amble around the gardens then recommence our scenic journey to Beaujolais.
Beaujolais Wine Region - Tonight's the night we camp out at Contiki’s very own 16th century Château. We say "camp" - LOL. This might be the most royal experience of your life. Wine tasting at the Château’s working winery is just one of the ways we'll kill time while we're here.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 4: Beaujolais Wine Region to French Riviera
Beaujolais Wine Region - Yes, yes, you could stay here forever, but unfortunately the show must go on. And there is more French fabulousness just around the corner, we promise.
French Riviera - Missing an opportunity to see this glorious part of the world up close and personal would be criminal. Speaking of things you shouldn't miss, this region is famous for lavender honey, aioli & rosé wine; all 3 in one meal should be your mission.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: French Riviera
French Riviera - Missing an opportunity to see this part of the world up close and personal would be criminal. Speaking of things you shouldn't miss, this region is famous for lavender honey, aioli & rosé wine; all 3 in one meal should be your mission.
Monaco City - A night in glamorous Monaco should complete your day slash life. Don a fancy necklace and pop a plum in your mouth - we're about to embark on the lifestyle of the rich and the famous.
French Riviera - After a night on the blackjack table it's back to the coast and to bed, the next part of the adventure starts tomorrow.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: French Riviera to Florence
French Riviera - After almost a week in France you'll be full to the brim with all things French and ready for new ground. Italy, perhaps?
Pisa
No trip around Europe is complete without seeing the world's most famous #AwkwardLean, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Once you've got that perfect snap of you holding the thing up like you're Arnold Schwarzenegger, we'll be on the fast-track to Florence.
Florence - The dome of Duomo Cathedral sits above the city making certain we know we have arrived in Florence. Tonight you can choose to begin your Tuscan love affair at a Free Time Add-On dinner - think olives, pastas, focaccia, meats & wine.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Florence to Rome
Florence - This morning is a perfect balance of guided wisdom and free time to roam. We'll uncover the beautiful art of traditional leather & explore streets bursting with heritage before eventually hitting the road for Rome.
Rome - And you thought your morning was interesting! The afternoon will really take it up a notch as we uncover Italian icons in the country's capital of Rome as you get a glimpse of its glory by night. Gelato, pizza and ancient monuments - perfecto!
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Rome
When in Rome...take an optional guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Religious or not, the Vatican's Italian Renaissance church will send shivers down your spine. This is also the day to learn a thing or two about the Colosseum & do a bit of your own exploring. Espressos and people watching should be high priority.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Rome to Venice
Rome - We may be hitting the road again, but we're not done with Italy just yet. We have one more city to lust over...
Venice - Venice is yours for this glorious Italian afternoon. We'll be jumping aboard our own private boat and hitting the canals en route to the historical heart of the city. A guided walking tour and a gondola ride are up for grabs, or you can always choose to get lost on your own and see where the maze takes you.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Venice to Munich
Venice - Confident we have ticked off all the Italian essentials, we can now leg it to Germany. After all the sophistication and glamour of France and Italy, a few beers and the chance to wear suspenders will be precisely what we feel like.
Tyrol - Wind through the Austrian Alps to lively Munich.
Munich - Bavarian culture, a famous Glockenspiel and charm aplenty; Munich doesn't just turn it on during Oktoberfest! Explore peaceful gardens and legendary beer halls or join in the bike tour and explore the side streets you wouldn't usually see.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Munich to Rhine Valley
Munich - Today it’s goodbye Munich, hello wine country. But first, we have an important stop to make.
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
Journeying out of Munich, we'll make a stop at Dachau for a sobering visit to the Dachau concentration camp memorial. You'll be able to spend some time here to learn and reflect, before we head on to the Rhine Valley.
Sankt Goar - After the scenic journey of fairytale castles, vineyards and valleys, you'll be charmed before we even arrive in Germany's famous Rhine Valley. This back-in-time town is our wine tasting host for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Rhine Valley to Amsterdam
Sankt Goar - This morning we'll drag you all away from Germany kicking and screaming that you want to stay forever. Only to see you equally infatuated with another dot on the European map hours later...
Edam - You know the cheese, and now you're going to know the place that pioneered it. We'll cycle into the countryside squealing at windmills & going hysterical over tulip fields on our way to an actual cheese farm & clog maker's house.
Amsterdam - Pretty canals lined with quaint crooked houses and cafes bursting with life. Amsterdam is all that and way more than what you could ever imagine.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13: Amsterdam
It's our last full day on trip & our last night to party up a storm with the squad. Use the day to explore quirky museums & sample the endless array of cuisines this city has on offer. The best way to say farewell to this gorgeous city? Opt to take the A'DAM lookout swing, an incredible observation deck with unrivalled panoramas of the twisting canals below.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14: Amsterdam to London
Amsterdam - Down your breakfast and wipe away your tears - this is always the worst day of the trip. We'll escort you to Schiphol Airport by about 10am for those leaving us in the canal lined city.
Calais - For those not leaving us until London, we'll travel south through Belgium, then cross into France to Calais
Dover - We'll make our way back to London-town, where you'll be left to start dreaming up your next big adventure. London
What a journey! Say a fond farewell to the group as you wrap up the trip on arrival in London.
Meals: Breakfast
Prices
Standard Price per person, twin share |
Sale Price per person, twin share |
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From $4565 | From $3424 |
Dates
Departures 2024 |
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Mutiple departures between 01 April - 12 September 2024 |
Departures 2025 |
Mutiple departures between 31 March - 13 September 2025 |
*Advertised price is based on twin share and is based on 20 April 2025 departure. Other travel dates available at seasonal surcharge. Please enquire with your RAC travel consultant for current availability and pricing.
*Advertised price is based on 20 April 2025 departure. Please enquire with your RAC travel consultant for current availability and pricing. Other departure dates available at seasonal surcharge. Further terms and conditions apply, please speak with your RAC travel consultant for details.
^Save up to 25% - The discount applies to new bookings only, is subject to availability and can be withdrawn any time without notice. The discount applies to the land portions of the trip price only (this excludes any applicable taxes, included flight costs, National Park fees, festival tickets, extra accommodation, optional experiences). The offer is not valid on pre and post accommodation. Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure.
General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.