European Encounter

17 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
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USTOA

Group Tour
Small budget, small window of time, big list of Must Dos? The European Encounter should do the trick. Make your way through 10 countries, catching some rays on the Italian Riviera, downing pizza in Rome & exploring castles in Prague. If you know a better way to spend just under two and a half weeks, we need to hear about it!

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • See the site of Checkpoint Charlie
    • Take in commemorative artwork and the remains of the Berlin Wall
    • Visit a French perfumery
    • Montparnasse Visit

What's this trip about?

    Small budget, small window of time, big list of Must Dos? The European Encounter should do the trick. Make your way through 10 countries, catching some rays on the Italian Riviera, downing pizza in Rome & exploring castles in Prague. If you know a better way to spend just under two and a half weeks, we need to hear about it!

Details

Itinerary focusActive
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityLondonderry
End CityParis

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure
  • Skiing / Snowboarding

Destinations

  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • England
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Switzerland
  • Germany
  • France
  • Netherlands
  • Czechia
  • Italy

Attractions

  • Berlin
  • Florence
  • London
  • Lucerne
  • Paris
  • Prague
  • Rome
  • Salzburg

Activities

  • Skiing, Snowboarding & Snow Sports

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive London

Check in to your hotel after 2:00pm and head out into the humming capital of Britain for a sneak peek at what’s to come. At 4:00pm meet up with your Trip Manager and get to know your fellow travellers.

Day 2: London to Amsterdam

Yourheart-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 Dov...

Day 3: Amsterdam to Berlin

Out of Amsterdam, onto the autobahn and on the fast-track to uber-cool Berlin. That's on today's agenda. On the world map of cool party vibes, Berlin has a gold star. We've got two nights to explore every inch of this amazing city, and we'll kick it off with a bit of...

Day 4: Berlin

Get into the mood of exploration. Berlin has so much to offer the hungry traveller, from the obvious icons like Checkpoint Charlie to all the obscurities tucked away in the side streets.

Day 5: Berlin to Prague via Dresden

"More city hangs" you'll all scream in unison as we motor out of Berlin, high on life & still wanting more. Since you asked so nicely, let us present you with Prague, the darling of Europe. A drive from Berlin to Prague would not be complete without stopping in Dr...

Day 6: Prague

With a full day to loiter, expect an entire photo album of Gothic architecture, market antiques & you cheers-ing local beer; not to mention life! We'll explore the city one of our favourite ways today, by bike, with our Local Guide to show us all the sights and so...

Day 7: Prague to Salzburg

We warned you about falling head over heels for Prague! Sorry kids, you cannot live here forever. Onwards we go - it's time for the mountain ranges that made the Sound of Music famous. Also home to Mozart, you can be pretty certain this place knows a beat. Today we'l...

Day 8: Salzburg to Venice

Austria, you are an overwhelming beauty. Although it would be nice to stay forever, it's time for us to cross the border and prepare to stuff ourselves full of all things pizza & pasta. Yes, traveller we're making our way to Italy! You'll think you've seen enough...

Day 9: Venice to Rome

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. 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!

Day 10: Rome with Vatican City

Rome wasn't built in a day - so get up and get going early to make the most of this ancient city. 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 Renaiss...

Day 11: 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 beauti...

Day 12: Florence to Italian Riviera via Pisa

Hopefully by now you are head to toe in fresh leather, you've eaten your body weight in antipasto, and you're feeling fresh as a daisy and ready to farewell Florence. No trip around Europe is complete without seeing the world's most famous #AwkwardLean, the Leaning To...

Day 13: Italian Riviera to Lucerne

Walk away from the Italian Riviera with plans to come back here for a few weeks or months, why not? Swans float under wooden bridges, snow-capped 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.

Day 14: Lucerne

There's no reason why today can't be wasted strolling these beautiful streets or sitting in a coffee shop pondering mountain life, and consuming more chocolate - that's perfectly acceptable too. However! Those wanting to spice up their day can visit the top of a Swiss Mountain and enjoy a fondue lunch & show. Spoilt for choice much?

Day 15: Lucerne to Paris

Out with the altitude, in with the inner-city Parisian bliss. Once we've crossed the border out of Switzerland we will be coasting through the pretty wine producing region of Burgundy before our arrival in Paris. Lamp-lit bridges, a sparkling Eiffel Tower, & even...

Day 16: Paris

Fragonard Perfumery now there's a place to check out, and stock up on perfume, obviously! Especially given the greatly discounted prices and authenticity of buying in France. Later you can drool over haute couture, admire the Notre Dame Cathedral whilst juggling coffe...

Day 17: Paris to London

Soak up your last dose of Paris and feel the astonishment of how much you've seen during this awesome trip. And how close you've grown to your Contiki pals. What a journey!? On arrival in London say a fond farewell to the group as you wrap up the journey on arrival.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,635
Price per day$214
Last Updated: 0/13/2022

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Contiki.

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.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Contiki Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
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475
Average
137
Disappointing
41
Terrible
53
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Other Contiki Reviews

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Shelley Dixon

Mar 2024

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Anonymous

I would highly recommend Contiki, everything was amazing, great Travel Manager and Local Guide giving a good insight into the old and new culture. Fantastic experien...

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Steven Green

Mar 2024

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Thai Island Hopper West

I wish I could give it ten stars, had such a blast with a great group of people, the whole trip was amazing I did all the activities and was surprised that the inclu...

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Kate Foster

Mar 2024

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Anonymous

Contiki took care everything so well! We went from amazing experiences to amazing experience, and everything went incredibly smoothly. We did things we would never h...

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Tour Operator

Contiki

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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.

Why we love this operator
Their trips create life-long memories for young people setting off to discover the world.
What they’re known for
Social travel for 18-35 year olds around the world.

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Logistics

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • We'll be dining all over Europe on this trip, sampling moreish local cuisine like saucy pasta. 15 continental breakfasts will be included, as will 6 delicious dinners. The rest of the time is there for you foodies to roam free and discover just what all the fuss is about around this continent of delectable tastes.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Trip ID
contiki-BBHXN113

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