Ultimate European (Greek Islands, Paris)
Overview
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Itinerary
Welcome to the first day of the best trip of your life - we're calling it early! After a few pleasantries in London we'll get the show on the road with Paris in our sights. A few hours in and your jaws are on the floor already. These chalk cliffs that edge the Englis...
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 ...
Out with the city life, in with the fresh mountain air. On leaving Paris we’ll coast through the pretty wine producing region of Burgundy before crossing the border to Switzerland. With magical views unfolding outside our windows we'll find ourselves in Switzerland, r...
Open the window of your room and drink in the incredible view. Today you’re free to explore this classic European adventure town. Feeling extra adventurous? Today is your chance to ascend Jungfrau mountain, aka ‘the Top of Europe’.
Schützenbach (or similar)
Breakfast, Dinner
It’s been sweet, but we’re swapping Switzerland back for France again this morning. But first, there's just time for one last breath of fresh mountain air. A quick lunch break in the home of the UN's headquarters and a view of that oh so famous water fountain. Grab a ...
Pinch yourself, this is another day at the Château & another chance to live your best French countryside life with a full day here in Beaujolais. Rise & shine with sunrise yoga on the sprawling lawn of the Château's gardens or loll about poolside in our castle...
Bye-bye Beaujolais! And hello Barcelona. The Pyrénées mountains will keep our eyes satisfied today as we roll across the border for Spain's most lively city. Each day as sweet as the last. Well would you look at that for timing, we've pulled into Barcelona just on san...
Cobbled lanes of the Gothic Quarter, Montjuic hilltop vistas, & wild Spanish architecture will season our day to perfection. There's plenty of free time to roam free or take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea, just don't tire yourself out - chances are you'll want to partake in the evening of Flamenco fun.
Urbany Hostel (or similar)
Breakfast
As smitten as we are by Barcelona, we have more of Europe to conquer. Much, much more.. After a dreamy drive across the border into France through landscapes of lavender, sunflowers and wild herbs, we'll arrive at our lunch break town of Arles. Here we will get a peek...
Relaxation on the French Riviera... what could be better?! Market hopping, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea and an optional bike ride with the coastline as the backdrop are on the agenda today. This evening we add even more glamour to your life with a visit to Mona...
Wake up and smell the… French perfume! Today you’ll visit a Perfumery, where you’ll take a look around and even have the chance to craft a signature scent of your own. Afterwards, it’s farewell to the French Riviera and off to Italy. Pizza, pasta, and charming locals ...
Buongiorno! We'll start exploring The Floating City by jumping aboard our own private motoscafo boat and cruising the canals en route to the historical heart of the city. Next, you have the option to discover Venice on a traditional gondola ride, or taking a guide tour of some of the best foodie hotspots in town.
Anda Venice Hostel (or similar)
Breakfast
After winding through the Apennine Mountains & visiting the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, we'll glide through Tuscany towards Renaissance Florence. Here we will drink up the secret streets & sacred art around the city's towering Duomo Cathedral. No trip around...
This morning is the perfect balance of guided local wisdom and free time to roam. First we'll uncover the beautiful art of traditional leatherwork, then you’re free to make the most of your final hours in Florence. Finally with a heartfelt ‘ciao’ to Florence, we’re bo...
When in Rome... This is 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, as well as stuffing yourself to the brim with pasta, gelato and caprese salad all washed down with a glass of red at a local trattoria.
Casa San Juan (or similar)
Breakfast
The majestic site of Mt. Vesuvius will interlude our trip from Rome to Bari, our ferry port for today's border leap into Greece. Once a totally vibing hang-out of the Romans, Pompeii is now an archaeological site showing remains of what was destroyed by a mountain eru...
Full steam ahead this morning, our course is set for Athens via the Corinth Canal. Oh hello there...we're pulling up in Greece! The awe of this country's mainland will begin shortly after our arrival as we catch a glimpse of Corinth Canal. This man-made passageway squ...
This morning is ours to soak up the last few hours of Athens, before we swap ancient history for island life on Ios. Sweet mother of sunshine we're going to the Greek Islands! And Ios, no less. A little less developed than its brothers and sisters, you'll be overawed ...
Don’t underestimate the power of this island. When the sun sets, this place really comes to life. As such, we suggest a day out on the water getting salty on a boat trip, or a full day of pool hangs and beach time so you're all sun-kissed and feeling floaty by the time the night rolls in.
Far Out Beach Resort (or similar)
Breakfast
Another day, another chance to soak up the Greek sun and frolic in the sand without a care in the world. Get some adrenaline in with some watersports, or if you haven't done so already, go explore the pretty town and down a hearty meal at a local cafe. You're going to...
Just as you're beginning to lose track of time and forget that a world exists beyond Ios, we'll head off. One more day getting in the groove of things and you'll wind up being that kid who came to Ios and decided to never leave. Thousands of years ago a volcano erupte...
Rise and shine, Greek Island travellers! The island of Santorini will not explore itself. Take a swim at Perissa Beach, eat the local specialty of fried tomato balls known as domatokeftedes, and roam the streets of Fira. Just remember to plan your day around the excursion to the iconic Oia - this is not an optional you're going to want to miss.
Hotel Nikos (or similar)
Breakfast
The beautiful thing about having two full days on the one island is you have time to both relax and explore. Whatever you didn't do yesterday is still up for grabs today. If you feel like you've crammed it all in already, just head to the black or red sand beaches and spend another glorious day ocean-side. Ain't life grand?
Hotel Nikos (or similar)
Breakfast
Wipe those sad looks off your faces! Life doesn't end when you leave the Greek Islands. In fact we have many, many more places to look forward to. Turkey, Austria and Germany just to name a few. Oh hey Athens, it feels like forever since we last hung out! And same goe...
By now you should be well and truly acquainted with all things Athens and ready to embark on our next venture. This time tomorrow we'll be on a whole new continent. Before arrival in our final destination in this fine country we'll see Greece’s highest peak, Mt Olympu...
As we cross the Dardanelles, get your pout out and blow your final kiss in the direction of Greece. We'll be carving up the seas making our way to...ASIA! Ah, the traveller's life. This afternoon we discover that "Troy" means more than just a Hollywood blockbuster; so...
So long Canakkale, we're off to the only city in the world split over two continents, incredible Istanbul. Though a few days of fun times and city frolics are ahead of us, we will start our Turkish explorations on a sobering note by visiting the battlegrounds of Galli...
The Blue Mosque with its interior of 20,000 handmade tiles; lively spice markets; bazaars bursting at the sides with silver & jewels. Istanbul is one place we'll really have to drag you away from. Our Local Guide will show you the hotspots, and you're always free ...
A city like this needs more than a day on our calendar. Take in the sites you missed yesterday or if you're all explored out, go unwind at a "hammam" spa for a Turkish bath. Then drink endless tea and eat your body weight in baklava and you've had the full Turkey experience.
Kafkas Hotel (or similar)
Breakfast
Crossing the border from Turkey to Bulgaria, we'll arrive at the Black Sea late afternoon. Here we'll be greeted by coastal resort towns and bar-lined waterfronts, where we'll be headed this evening to enjoy some dinner and a taste of the local nightlife.
Mirage Hotel (or similar)
Breakfast
This morning we'll set our sights for Romania. Crossing the border, we'll arrive in Bucharest this afternoon to discover beautiful architecture, street art, rooftop cafes, and an ornate Parliament building with enough steel, bronze, marble, crystal and wood that comb...
Departing Bucharest after breakfast, we'll set our sights for none other than Transylvania. Of course, a stay in Transylvania wouldn't be complete without a drive to Bran Castle to visit the real life setting that inspired Dracula, before driving on towards Târgu Mure...
We'll leave behind the ghosts of Transylvania's past and hit the road for Budapest. Fun fact #1: Buda and Pest are two different cities separated by a river, together they make Budapest. Fun fact #2: You're going to be head over heels with both of them by the time we...
Throw yourself into the sightseeing this morning with the church of St. Matthias, the Royal Palace and the Chain Bridge. That way you'll really earn an afternoon soaking in the city's famous outdoor thermal pools set amongst Art Nouveau architecture. Blissed out in Budapest - there's an insta caption for you.
Wombat's Hostel (or similar)
Breakfast
Bye Budapest! Normally we’d be devastated to be leaving, but with Austria on the horizon we have strudel and music to look forward to. Onwards and upwards we go, into the mountain ranges that made the Sound of Music famous. Also home to Mozart, you can be pretty certa...
Morning Salzburg! Today you’ll have the chance to sign up for a tour of the Sights & Sounds of Salzburg before we say goodbye to Salzburg and continue on in our discovery of Austria. Breathe in that fresh alpine air and take in the dreamy setting we’ve descended u...
Wake up, peel open your curtains, and take in the magnificence of your view...and your life in general. If you're feeling lively you can jump onto a bike tour through green mountains and waterfalls. If you're feeling really lively you can go tandem paragliding. Not so...
Polish off your stay in Austria with an optional whitewater rafting adventure - that should get the adrenaline pumping and excitement high for our impending visit to Germany. A city famous the world over for its annual beer festival is a city we need to know about. An...
Today it’s goodbye Germany, hello Czech. But first, we have an important stop to make. 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, be...
Today is the day we get to know the real Prague. Don't miss our optional 'Hidden Prague' adventure, where a local guide will show us the city's best kept secrets. Then, the night is yours to amble around the Old Town Square and find a few haunts to let the hours slip away in.
Plus Prague (or similar)
Breakfast
You may have fallen head over heels for Prague, but we have so many more places to be! Back on the coach, we'll roll on to our next country, Germany. A drive from Prague to Berlin wouldn't be complete without stopping in Dresden. Sadly destroyed by World War II, the r...
Today you'll have the chance to really uncover Berlin. You can opt to take a historical walking tour, including a visit to the site of Hitler's bunker. Otherwise, you're free to explore all the obscurities tucked away off the main street of Unter Den Linden, see the B...
We’ll journey out of Germany today and travel through the gloriously flat Netherlands with Amsterdam in our sights. We'll enjoy an included dinner in Amsterdam this evening, then it’s off to the A’DAM Tower for potentially the best view of the city (plus a go on Euro...
Today starts with some free time to explore Amsterdam however you like – don’t miss the canals, bars and wonderful museums. We’ll reconvene this evening for an (optional) dinner at 1ste Klasse, a historic Amsterdam restaurant built into the old first class waiting roo...
Get your tissues ready, it's time to say goodbye to your new Contiki family. We'll escort you to Schiphol Airport by about 10am. This afternoon we cross from France to England and then back to London-town, where you'll be left to start dreaming up your next big adventure.
Breakfast
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
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Contiki Reviews & Ratings
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Trusted Customer
Apr 2024
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Extraordinary trip. 10/10 would recommend. Do most, if not all of the add ons. You won't regret it.
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Apr 2024
Japan Unrivalled
I had the best time on this trip! It was my first ever international solo trip, contiki made it super easy to just sit back and relax. I was super grateful that my r...
Molly O'Dwyer
Apr 2024
Incredible Tour Manager and Bus driver!
Our tour manager and Bus driver were incredible. They made the trip...
Tour Operator
We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.
No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.
We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.
With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.
About the company:
Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?
Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.
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