The Northern Trek
Overview
Highlights
- See Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral & the State Opera House
- Scenic drive along the historic Ring Road
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Itinerary
This morningmeet up with your Trip Manager and Squad, and start to get to know each other and get excited for the next 26 days ahead!
By now you should be well and truly acquainted with all things Athens and ready to embark on our next venture. Before arrival in our final destination in this fine country we'll see Greece’s highest peak, Mt Olympus, and the grounds of Thermopylae, where an ancient ba...
Ah, the traveller's life. Today we leave Greece to embark on our first day of Turkish adventures. 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 Gallipoli.
Continent crossed - squeal!! There aren't likely to be many times in your life that you'll be in a country that spans two continents. This afternoon we discover that "Troy" means more than just a Hollywood blockbuster. Our Local Guide will unravel the historical laye...
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. You can opt in for a walking tour, where your local guide will show...
With Istanbul firmly imprinted in our hearts and minds, we can leave Turkey in search of Bulgaria's capital to see what all the fuss is about. Once a sleepy spot on the European map, Sofia is experiencing its own mini renaissance. The pretty streets, quirky galleries and hip locals are almost enough to distract you from the astounding Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Sofia you were short and sweet, sometimes we gotta roll that way if we're going to see the rest! Cut across Macedonia and stop off for lunch in Skopje, known for its thriving outdoor cafés. Try some Macedonian specialities like burek (delicious local pastry) with whit...
Today we say farewell Macedonia and head over the border and into Albania. Albania serves up mind-blowing scenery scattered with the remains of old war-bunkers – a sad reminder of its recent past. Your Trip Manager will give you this country’s story on the coach as we follow the coast to our overnight stop.
Obscure off the beaten track capitals one day, trusted favourite cities the next. Such is the beauty of a see it all trip! We're making a stop in this coastal heaven before Dubrovnik. A 2,500 year old town famous for its beautiful beaches and its cobbled stone roads. ...
The city of Dubrovnik is so much more than just a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Game of Thrones location - not that either of those claims to fame are even mildly mediocre. After you've been guided around the city with intricate detail you'll be armed with the knowledge to pick out a waterside rock bar where you can swim and indulge 'til your heart's content.
Another day in this glorious city to set off and explore, perhaps go for a walk along the city walls, or relax and enjoy the glorious Croatian weather by soaking up the sun, or finding one of its famous buza bars.
Weaving up the Dalmatian Coast towards Split, we pass crystal clear waters scattered with green islands. ...we make our way to Split.Meet with Roman heritage when you wander through the domain of Diocletian’s Palace in the city centre, complete with 220 buildings and an imposing cathedral.
Cruise through the stunning Paklencia National Park as we make our way out of Croatia. Before we reach Budapest, we'll pass by Central Europe’s largest lake, Lake Balaton, often dubbed the ‘Hungarian Sea’. With two cities rolled into one, this exotic town has a bit o...
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.
Under normal circumstances we'd all be devastated to be leaving Budapest. But with Austria on the horizon, it's smiles all round. Giddy up! There's nothing like stopping for lunch in an entirely new country before moving onto another, this is Europe after all. We'll s...
A whole day lies ahead to uncover the ethereal Austrian capital. Our Trip Manager will uncover the historical heritage of Schönbrunn Palace, the State Opera House and the gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. And once you've seen all that, you'll have a bit of free time to check out art galleries and local coffee houses, maybe even try a slice of the famous Sacher Torte.
Today we travel out of Austria to its northern neighbour, Czech Republic. But don't despair, we will be in the fine country of Germany in just a few days for you to keep practising your German! Just after we cross the border we'll take a break in the UNESCO World Heri...
With a full day to loiter, expect an entire photo album of Gothic architecture, old buildings and quirky street art before you Czech-out the traditional cuisine and cheap beer.
We warned you about falling head over heels for Prague! Sorry kids, you can not live here forever. Unless....? After departing Prague and journeying out of the Czech Republic, we traipse into Germany and have a change of mood with a sobering visit to the Dachau concen...
Today is the day to dive deep into Munich's culture and urban life. Take an optional guided bike ride through the Englischer gardens, where if you are lucky you may just spot some of Munich's more intriguing locals. Then, spend the afternoon finding out more about what put Munich on the map; beer and BMWs.
Goodbye Munich, hello mountains. We'll make a well earned pit stop in the capital of the tiny country of the Principality of Liechtenstein - famous for being landlocked by not one but two countries, now there's a fact we bet you never thought you would learn. Swans fl...
Wake up and drink in the incredible view - if you can find words or photos that do it justice, we applaud you! If you're feeling audacious, catch a cog rail to Europe’s highest railway station on Jungfrau Mountain, keeping your balance on what's known as the 'Top of Europe'.
This is one morning drive that you will want to be awake for as we make our way from our valley filled with waterfalls and the sound of cowbells. Today we head back into Germany. This afternoon we stop off in Heidelberg, known for its medieval castle which sits above...
The coach follows the Rhine River, weaving through valleys dotted with castles. Next stop - the pretty, old-world village of St. Goar, complete with fairy tale castle and even a free-hanging cuckoo clock! Learn about local know-how and get savvy on the craft of beer s...
You know the cheese, and now you're going to know the place that pioneered it. Why not opt in for a chance to cycle into the countryside squealing at windmills & going hysterical over tulip fields on our way to an actual cheese farm & clog maker's house. It'...
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. For those not leaving us until London, we'll travel south through Belgium - cross another country off your list. 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.
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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.
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
Other Contiki Reviews
Trusted Customer
Dec 2024
Iceland Fire and Ice
It was an adventure of a lifetime! Truly remarkable. From the bu...
Harrison Smith
Dec 2024
Overall this trip was absolutely beautiful and I highly recommend it to anyone
The only thing I would’ve liked was a bit more time in Manchester even a day trip to experience such a main city in England and be able to stop by the stadiums in th...
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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.
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- In addition to 25 breakfasts, we'll be keeping you fed and watered with 17 included dinners. Think rich moussaka in Bulgaria, baked lamb in Albania and lashings of late-night Dutch fries in the Netherlands.
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