Meet up with your Contiki Crew before we hit the road and take a ferry past the walls of The White Cliffs of Dover. We travel via World War 1 battle fields in the Valley of the Somme to Paris.

Tonight, the group kick starts Paris with the “Tour of Illuminations”, which shows off the French capital’s transformation into the “City of Lights”. Your Tour Manager will fill you in on the background of 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.

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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 huge Notre Dame cathedral or explore the endless galleries of the Louvre where you can get up close to the famous Mona Lisa. Try indulging in some delicious pastries and relax in one of Paris’ many green spaces.

Tonight, treat yourself to a real Parisian cabaret experience, complete with can-can girls, dinner and champagne and get to know your crew. But don’t stop there – hit the clubs and start your trip off with a fun night out.

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Southbound, we stop off at the massive 12th Century chateau, Fontainebleau. Walk around the imperial gardens and check out the chateau’s imposing, regal exterior.

Continue on through Burgundy’s wine country to Beaujolais’ green hills and vineyards.

Then our team will make you feel right at home in Contiki’s very own 16th Century Chateau de Cruix. There’s a wine tasting within the chateau’s working winery, where our resident expert will teach you about Beaujolais wines as you swirl and sip on wines made in the area for centuries.

Next stop: Lyon. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and a city soaked in history. Your Tour Manage will show off the old town’s hottest spots, as you explore the alleys and backstreets or find quaint boutiques.

World-famous for food, Lyon has more cafés per head of capita than anywhere else in Europe. Some of the typical dishes you could try include Lyon’s speciality saucisson (sausage), small fried fritters or for the adventurous, pig’s head!

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Today, it’s on to Pont du Gard in Southern France. It’s a stunning bridge with 2000 year old arches spanning across the river. This imposing Roman Aqueduct is an impressive feat of ancient engineering

We keep heading south through the rugged and dramatic scenery of the Pyrénées mountains, over the border, into Barcelona.

A sizzling, festive capital any night of the week, Barcelona is all about. In Spain fiesta time starts late, so settle in at one of Barcelona’s many outdoor squares to enjoy a glass of sangria and nibble on tapas (plate sized snacks), before a fun night out exploring the city’s nightlife with your new friends.

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First stop: Mont Juic. The hilltop has full-blown vistas of the city and it’s where we stop to check out the 1992 Olympic Games complex. Afterwards get a look into the wild imagination of famous Spanish architect, Gaudi, with his art nouveau masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia cathedral. Your Tour Manager walks you through the cobbled lanes of Barcelona’s oldest district, the Gothic Quarter.

Then there’s free time to discover more of Barcelona’s creative core. Pick up some quirky buys in the side streets or hit the big label shops on Plaça de Catalunya. Take in all of Barcelona’s buzzing street life on the tree-lined La Rambla – a boulevard packed with street performers, artists, shops and stalls.

Other ideas for your afternoon off include hanging out in the colourful gardens of Parc Guell or kicking back with the locals on the beach and taking a swim in the Mediterranean sea. There’s plenty of delicious local seafood to try like Spain’s signature dish, paella.

Tonight’s optional dinner and show is a perfect way to finish off your time in this hot city and a chance to get into the local flavours with a Flamenco dance performance and some Sangria. Afterwards, get the low down on Barcelona’s hottest spots and maybe hit the pumping clubs of Port Olympico, by the water.

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Unwind on the coach, listen to your MP3 and take in the rustic beauty of Provence, known for its pretty landscapes of lavender, sunflowers and wild herbs.

Then we hit the rugged coast line of the stunning Cote d’Azur. Follow the beautiful sapphire waters past the movie-star glamour of Cannes (famous for its annual film festival), to the palm trees and sun-soaked shores of Nice.

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In your free time live a bit of the lifestyle with a visit to the local markets. Try out the region’s produce like lavender honey, aioli (garlic mayonnaise) and mouth-watering rosé wine.

Window shop the chic boutiques or choose a beach and catch some sun among all the bronzed bodies!

Tonight get a taste of the high life in Monaco, the glamorous principality packed into just 1.92km2 and home of the Formula 1. Indulge in a bit of glitz with the group by opting for a typically French 4-course meal just a few doors down from the Royal Palace. Get the inside story on the royal family and their place of residence from your Tour Manager, then try your luck at a casino later on.

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Next stop on the Riviera and home to the French perfume industry is Fragonard Perfumery. Learn more about how perfume is made and some of its more surprising ingredients. It’s also a chance to pick up a bottle or 2 at great price.

Onwards to Italy and Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Get romantic and stand under one of the world’s most famous shrines to love, Juliet’s balcony from Romeo and Juliet. Check out the main shopping street and the Roman arena, before heading off to Venice.

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Jump on a 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. Step into the labyrinth of interweaving lanes, waterways, palaces, piazzi and markets. Maybe grab a table on St Mark’s Square for lunch 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.

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Wind through the Apennine Mountains and Tuscan countryside to the Renaissance city of Florence.

The scene-stealing Duomo cathedral rises above the city. Get the inside track on Florence’s cultural beginnings from our local guide as the group 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 and people watch. 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 fantastic Tuscan country setting. Then keep it moving with a night out and get your groove on at Florence’s biggest club.

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Travel through Tuscany’s rustic hills, past the recognisable cypress tree landscapes of this olive-oil producing region, to vibrant Rome, via a visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

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.

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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. There’s included entry and our Local Guide to show you St Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel.

Take off into the city and absorb the atmosphere, as vespas flash past timeworn monuments that are surrounded by fountains, pizzerias, cafes and bars. In your free time, live the local lifestyle by indulging in a long lunch on a paved piazza or knock back a shot of espresso at the bar, like the Romans do. Before you hit the shops, let your Tour Manager point you in the right direction with some tips on the best buys.

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From Naples, it’s a boat ride to the main marina of the island of Capri. Soak up the views and head off with some friends into the cute, white-washed villages where you could try out the region’s sweet lemon liqueur, limoncello.

Set on sheer slopes, Sorrento doles up sweeping views over the Bay of Naples. Tonight there’s an optional dinner, where you’ll feast on traditional Mediterranean fare, complete with views of Mt Vesuvius from the cliff-top terrace.

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Plunge into Pompeii’s well-preserved past in an interesting optional excursion, where our expert Local Guide retraces ancient history.

Then there’s time to chill out on the coach, crossing through the rugged landscapes of Southern Italy, before boarding the overnight ferry to Greece. Check out the amazing 360 degree views from the deck!

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From Patras, cross the impressive man- made Corinth Canal.

Athens is next, a city crammed with myth and ancient wonders, and busy with modern, urban soul.

Step back in time in Europe’s oldest city to the birthplace of democracy and get the run down on the Parthenon and the Acropolis from our Local Guide, as you wander around the marble columns perched above the city sprawl.

Then we check out the first modern Olympic Stadium from the 1896 games.

Wrap up the day on the shady slopes beneath the Acropolis, with an optional dinner in the rustic district of Plaka, full of traditional tavernas spilling out onto the pavements.

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Today, board a typical Greek ship to Mykonos and take advantage of the amazing views across the Aegean and of the rocky islands with your camera.

Mykonos is famous for its blissful beaches and party culture. No matter what you’re after, chances are this island has got it! You’ll soon understand why this happening hub draws people from all walks of life, from jetsetters to backpackers.

In your free time, head into Mykonos town and wander through the maze of tiny streets lined by whitewashed cube-shaped houses. Maybe grab a table for lunch in the village and feast on fresh local specialties, like olives, feta and tzatziki dip.

Chill for the afternoon with friends on the island’s world famous beaches and cool off in the azure waters. Wrap up the day with a drink at one of Mykonos’ hip bars and watch the sun go down. But don’t stop there, toast the start of the cruise back on board and hit the ship’s nightclub with the group.

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In the morning, wake up to the Turkish port town of Kusadasi. Rummage through the Grand Bazaar and go local bargaining for leather goods, jewellery or local crafts. Otherwise hook up with the group and our Local Guide for an optional excursion to ancient Ephesus, a stunningly preserved city that Mark Antony and Cleopatra once visited.

Our next port of call is Patmos, with its sacred spots and wild countryside. Get the background from your Rep on why this island attracts both pilgrims and holiday makers. Explore the monasteries, traditional settlements and country churches

Get into the spirit of the island with an optional excursion that takes you to Patmos’ UNESCO World Heritage sites: the11th century Monastery of the Apocalypse and to the Grotto of St John – the hilltop cave where John the Apostle lived for many years.

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Next up is Rhodes, smack in the middle of 3 continents, serving up a mix of relics from different civilisations. Choose to learn more about the island as the group travels through history with a Local Guide. Head up to the Acropolis of Lindos and wander within the walls of Rhode’s medieval town centre, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Use your free afternoon to explore the modern side of Rhodes or discover more of the old town. There’s some of the best shopping in the region with great prices on local goods like honey, olive oil, leather and silver.

Relax on the awesome beaches, put your feet up with a glass of local wine and order fresh seafood or calamari (squid rings) – typically Greek food!

Back on board, we sail towards Crete.

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Today we start the day off with a visit to the biggest of the Greek Islands, Crete.

Choose an optional excursion to the Palace of Knossos where our Local Guide will tell you the story of this 4000 year old mythical Minoan Palace, where the minotaur (half-man/half-bull) was slain.

Next up: Santorini. This island will make your jaw drop with its stunning natural beauty – the result of a massive volcanic eruption. From the water, look up at the iconic blue–domed, whitewashed churches.

Once we’re back on land, head up the cliff and the twisting stone steps, save your breath on a donkey ride or take it easy in the cable car for views of neighboring volcanic islands.

Your Tour Rep will fill you in on Fira – dramatically perched on the edge of the crater- as the group explores its narrow streets. Get tips on the best places to pick up a piece of Santorini’s famous jewellery and where to try out the delicious local specialty, domatokefleds (fried tomato balls).

Otherwise head to one of the distinctive black or red sand beaches, and soak up the breathtaking scenery. You could jump on an optional boat ride out to the active volcanic island of Nea Kamini. Cruise past lava formations and get up close to the active crater.

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Our hosts put on a spread for a buffet breakfast before we disembark in Piraeus and travel over the Peloponnese, up the mainland and through the mountains to the coastal town of Preveza, a fishing village know for its friendly locals.

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Wind along the dramatic Adriatic Coast to Albania’s colourful capital, Tirana. It’s an up-and-coming city that is rapidly changing, blending her Communist, Italian and Ottoman pasts with all things modern.

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Sticking to the shoreline, continue through tiny Montenegro to the spectacular fortress town of Dubrovnik, well known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”.

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With baroque buildings, museums and monasteries, this eye-catching UNESCO World Heritage Site is great to explore on foot. Get lost in the walled city’s web of winding streets.

You’ve got free time so pull up at a table in the pedestrian district of the old town. Lunch on fantastic fresh seafood or a spicy beef stew. For full scale views of the area, wander along the 2kms of old town walls or hike up Mt Srj.

In the afternoon, try our optional Dubrovnik Cruise. Jump on the family-run boat and island hop!

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Weaving up the Dalmatian Coast towards Split, we pass crystal clear waters scattered with green islands.

Get up close to Roman heritage when you wander through the domain of Diocletian’s Palace in the city centre, complete with 220 buildings and a huge cathedral.

Zadar is the next stop with its medieval churches and marble streets. Check-out the local man-made wonder, the “sea-organ”, where surging water bursts through holes cut into the rock. If you’re keen, grab a few buddies and hang out among the lively student population that fills the town’s bars and cafes.

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From Zadar, the group travels through Paklenica National Park and the scenic beauty of Slovenia, to the cultural hub of Vienna.

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Your Tour Manager starts the day by introducing the group to the city’s historical heritage. There’s the imperial grandeur of Schönbrunn Palace, the elegantly ornate State Opera House and St. Stephen’s Cathedral – a gothic masterpiece. Cruise down Kärtner Strasse, Vienna’s main shopping spot, and buy some traditional ceramics or materials for gifts back home.

There’s free time to check out magnificent squares and majestic palaces or the city’s art galleries. Take a break in a coffee house like the locals do, chill out in Vienna’s manicured gardens or wander along the Danube River.

Get schnaps savvy with a behind-the-scenes look into this local liqueur’s production in an optional excursion to the Old Vienna Schnaps Museum.

Tonight, it’s all about the culture at an optional dinner and concert. Up first is a classical music concert with former Vienna locals, Mozart and Strauss, in one of the city’s imperial palaces. Follow this up with a traditional Viennese meal in an old-world restaurant.

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Remember one of history’s darkest moments with a sobering stop at Mauthausen concentration camp. Learn more at the museum and walk through the remaining living quarters.

Afterward, it’s southbound to the home of the world-famous Oktoberfest, Munich – a city that blends traditional Bavarian culture and a 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.

Give an optional bike tour a go and get off the beaten track and onto Munich’s side streets with our Local Guide.

Then get a taste of tradition at a typical beer hall and park yourself at a long wooden table. Order yourself some hearty local food, like roast pork, and quench your thirst with a stein of one of Germany’s 5000 brews.

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Today, travel past the stony cliffs of Liechtenstein, into the capital of Vaduz, where you can grab some lunch and eat it in the shadow of the royal family’s 12th Century Castle.

Next stop: the jaw-droppingly beautiful alpine town of Lucerne.

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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 Switzerland is so famous for.

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.

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Chill out while the coach follows the Rhine River, weaving through valleys dotted with castles and vineyards. With our included river cruise, drift past quaint riverside towns and magical castles and see this UNESCO World Heritage area.

Next stop – the pretty, old-world village of St Goar, complete with fairy-tale castle and even a free-standing cuckoo clock! Get savvy with a demonstration on the local craft of beer steins.
Then kick back with a glass of local wine and choose to find out more with the optional wine tasting in a candlelit underground cellar.

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In an intro into Dutch culture, see how clogs are made at a clog-maker’s house and try some of the famous Dutch Edam at a cheese farm. Head into the buzzing capital of Amsterdam to check out the city’s eye-opening Red Light District, where the creative and the wacky come together on narrow cobbled streets, 24/7.

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Cycle around like the laid back locals and cruise into the countryside, past working windmills, to the world-famous cheese village of Edam.

Free time this afternoon to experience Amsterdam’s coffee shops, museums and quirky boutiques. Wander along the canals and past gabled houses or try out Amsterdam’s multi-ethnic cuisine. This cultural melting pot dishes up loads of affordable food.

With an optional evening canal cruise, there’s a chance to toast your travels with the group, unwind with a few drinks and uncover another angle on Amsterdam at water level.

For your last night on tour, get some pointers from your Tour Manager, dive into Amsterdam’s night action with your buddies and finish up your travels with a night to remember.

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Circle back to France via Belgium and ferry across the English Channel to England. A short drive brings us back to London where the tour ends and it’s time to say farewell to your new friends.

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