Tour

European Discovery | Start Amsterdam | Summer | Season 2025
from USD 2497

Contiki Holidays

Tour Code: BBHDV20
Vacation Type:
Brochure:
Duration: 12 Days
Countries: United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland

Ready for the beginning of your sweet love affair with Europe? This trip uncovers Europe’s finest in 12 days, complete with Bavarian beer & a private boat through the Venetian canals. We'll discover Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Munich, Venice & Florence, flirting with many more destinations along the way, from a traditional German beer hall to our fave Roman gelateria (on us). You’ll get a taste for all the best bits of the continent and travel through 7 countries in one trip. By the time you get back to London you'll be completely smitten.



European Discovery 2025 Trip Map

Gold Seal Protection

  • Gold Seal Protection

Dining Summary

  • 3 Dinner (D)
  • 11 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)

Faqs

  • London: Travelling to (and through) the UK & Northern Ireland? You’ll need Essential Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)From January 8, 2025, UK law means that if you’re entering/transiting through the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland you’ll need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you travel. Confused? Don’t be – just read on here.
  • London: What currency do I need? For this trip, you’ll need just three currencies - the British Pound, Swiss Franc and Euro.
  • London: How do I know when to book tickets for non-included attractions in Amsterdam? If you're travelling before March 2025, this trip spends 1 night in Amsterdam. You will have free time in the morning of day 2 until 12pm, during which time you can book activities. After this time, we will head off to the Rhine Valley.From March 2025, this trip will spend 2 nights in Amsterdam and you will have free time in the afternoon of day 2 from 12pm - 3pm, during which time you can book activities. Of course, you can book other times during this day, but it might mean you miss out on other included activities or a coach transfer to the accommodation!

Included Experience

  • Amsterdam: Best way to break the ice? By breaking bread of course. You and your new besties can bond over dinner before heading out to explore. 
  • Sankt Goar: Take in the breath-taking scenery of the River Rhine.
  • Sankt Goar: Take a scenic glide down the river, past fairytale castles, Baroque spires and timbered German houses.  
  • Lorelei: It’s the stuff of legends. Literally. A singing mermaid named Lorelei is said to sit on the rock, enchanting fishermen before luring them to their demise. Eek!  
  • Dinkelsbühl: Seatbelts on! Today we're driving along 'Romantische Straße' AKA Germany's most scenic route, winding through picturesque medieval towns, fairy-tale castles, and breathtaking landscapes.
  • Munich: This guided walking tour will take you around all the highlights of this Bavarian city, including Marienplatz and Rathaus Glockenspiel.
  • Venice: Life’s all about the waterways here; there’s not an Uber in sight! Get some classic pics of the famous gondola boats.
  • Florence: See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria on a locally guided walking tour of Florence.
  • Lucerne: Check out the Wooden Chapel Bridge and the giant sandstone Lion Monument.
  • Paris: Take a dreamy jaunt around the city of romance. Fall in love with landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Champs-Élysées and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
  • Paris: Climb to the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower for an unbeatable vista of the ‘City of Light’. 
  • Paris: Your chance to learn the art of fragrance at a Parisian perfume house. You know it makes scents! (soz).
  • Rome: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking off some sights on your bucket list! 
  • Baschi: We'll head to the rocky (but so picturesque) village of Baschi to visit Casale Polegri. Stroll around the vineyards and olive orchards on a short tour of the azienda agricola. We'll learn about the farming techniques used by the Polegri Family to harvest their fresh plants and fruit. We'll end the afternoon with a crunchy bruschetta topped with homemade extra virgin olive oil, focaccia bread with homegrown rosemary and vegetables. And of course, some risotto or pasta. All of this with a glass of their homemade wine and dessert. Happy tummy, happy life!

  • Ibis Budget Amsterdam City South (or similar)
  • Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)
  • Hotel Montag Sankt Goar (or similar)
  • Bento Inn Munich Messe (or similar)
  • A conveniently located hotel
  • BB Roma Tuscolana (or similar)
  • Hotel Auto Park (or similar)
  • Barabas Hotel Luzern (or similar)
  • B&B Hotel Paris Nord 18ème (or similar)
Day 1 London To Amsterdam

Your heart-pounding adventure kicks off today. Meet up with your Contiki posse & share notes on London town before hitting the road to Amsterdam. Shortly before we find our ferry for Europe, 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! Off the ferry, we arrive in the port town of Calais - French soil! We travel north via Belgium before reaching... Amsterdam! Tonight, after an included dinner and an optional evening canal cruise, the fun-famed Amsterdam is yours to explore in all its glory

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Ibis Budget Amsterdam City South (or similar)

Day 2 Amsterdam

Amsterdam is as cute as it comes & sure to win your heart with its cobbled main streets, canalside views, obscure museums & a café culture like no other. Today, you're free to use your time to get local, bar hop, museum crawl, or just explore. If you're hungry to taste your way through the local culture, this place is famous for Dutch pancakes, frites, cheese, stroopwafels and coffee – or you can take the opportunity to visit the small Dutch fishing village of Volendam for an optional seafood or steak dinner. Tonight, you have the option to sign up for an iconic cruise through Amsterdam, complete with an onboard bar.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)

Day 3 Amsterdam To Rhine Valley

Amsterdam, it's been lovely, but it's time to say 'Vaarwel!' because this afternoon we're setting off for our next country, Germany. 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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Montag Sankt Goar (or similar)

Day 4 Rhine Valley To Munich Via Dinkelsbühl

Too much grape juice last night? Not to worry, the prospect of this Bavarian hidden gem should lift your spirits as we travel south & swap wine culture for beer. Quintessential German experiences don't get much better than visiting this charming medieval town. We'll stroll the cobblestoned streets, checking out vibrant market squares and picturesque half-timbered houses along the way. Today our eyes will be treated to a famous Gothic clock, a charming old town & traditional Bavarian culture. You'll have the option to explore the side streets by foot and afterwards why not choose to explore one of the city's many beer halls, where you can try a stein of beer or even a pork knuckle!

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Bento Inn Munich Messe (or similar)

Day 5 Munich To Venice

Goodbye Munich, hello mountains. Today crossing the Bavarian Alps and hitting the road for Italy. And just like that, we're in a new country and a whole new vibe. Ah, Venice! Fresh pasta, lilting accents & romantic architecture - we've arrived in one of Italy's most famous cities. Your jaw will hit the floor over hidden lanes, story book bridges & a private canal boat ride.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: A conveniently located hotel

Day 6 Venice To Rome Via Baschi

Farewell floating city, but Italy, we're not done with you yet, our next destination the Eternal City of Rome is just around the corner. But first, we have an epic, included MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience to enjoy. Casale Polegri is set within the gorgeous town of Baschi, where we'll meet the Polegri family. These guys have run their vineyard and olive orchard for generations, and after giving us the grand tour, will serve us lunch under the Veranda. As we overlook the Tiber Valley, enjoying some of the most authentic Italian food we've ever tasted (topped off with the Polegri's very own wine, naturally), we might reflect that we've never had it so good. It's the kind of local travel experience you don't encounter every day (you're welcome). 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 it's glory by night. Gelato, pizza and ancient monuments - perfetto!

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: BB Roma Tuscolana (or similar)

Day 7 Rome

Rome wasn't built in a day - so get up and get going early to make the most of this ancient city. Hit the streets for your own discoveries. Learn a thing or two as you pass the Colosseum, throw coins in fountains and sip espresso in a pretty street watching Italian life float by.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: BB Roma Tuscolana (or similar)

Day 8 Rome To Florence

We may be hitting the road again, but we're not done with Italy just yet. We have one more city to lust over… The dome of Duomo Cathedral sits above the city, making certain we know we have arrived in Florence. Take a moment to take in the unique beauty of this beautiful city, where culture and la dolce vita is evident in every direction you look. We'll become history buffs on a guided walking tour, before we learn the art of leather. Tonight you can choose to begin your Tuscan love affair at an optional dinner - think olives, cured meats, crostini & wine.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Auto Park (or similar)

Day 9 Florence To Lucerne

Say a fond farewell to Italy, and hello to the land of creamy chocolate, cheese and not to mention watches. Hello Switzerland! Swans float under wooden bridges, snowcapped mountains stand regally behind us & chocolate tastes like heaven on earth. You're in the Swiss Alps & you cannot wipe the smile off your face. Eeek!!!

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Barabas Hotel Luzern (or similar)

Day 10 Lucerne To Paris

It's been sweet, but our time in Lucerne is up this morning. We're Paris-bound! Out with the altitude, in with the inner-city Parisian bliss. We'll jump back onto our coach to cross the border out of Switzerland and (back) into France. Lamp-lit bridges, a sparkling Eiffel Tower, & evening coffee haunts, tonight we fall in love with everything Paris. Our Trip Manager fills us in on the city's secrets, then to celebrate our first night in the city, we'll head up the Montparnasse Tower.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: B&B Hotel Paris Nord 18ème (or similar)

Day 11 Paris

It's time to stroll the dreamy streets of Paris, moan over haute couture you can't afford, admire the Notre Dame Cathedral whilst juggling coffee and crêpes, & get artsy at the many museums of the Louvre. Just don't wear yourself out, you will probably want to get involved with a ticket to an iconic cabaret show and dinner. With your last night looming, make it one to remember in the city of lights.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: B&B Hotel Paris Nord 18ème (or similar)

Day 12 Paris To London

Rise, shine, and soak up your last dose of Paris this morning over a coffee and croissant together, as we marvel at how much we've seen on this magical journey. It may be over for now, but these friendships and memories will last a lifetime.

Duration: 1 Day

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