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Day 1
Depart for Europe
Jet off to the trip of a lifetime awaiting you in Europe!
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Day 2
Arrive London
Check-in to your hotel after 2pm and the remainder of the day is free to relax before meeting your fellow travellers at 6pm. After dinner take a short walk to explore nearby Covent Garden.
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Day 3
London to Paris
Meet up with your Contiki team before we hit the road and take a ferry past the White Cliffs of Dover. We travel via World War I battlefields in the Valley of the Somme, to Paris.
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Day 4
Paris
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 Notre Dame or explore the endless galleries of the Louvre, where you can get up close to the famous Mona Lisa. In your free time, try indulging in some delicious pastries and relax in one of Paris’ many cafés.
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Day 5
Paris to Lucerne
With down-time on the coach, plug in your MP3, chill out to some music and chat with friends while travelling through the scenic wine producing regions of Burgundy and Chablis.
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Day 6
Lucerne
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 that Switzerland is so famous for.
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Day 7
Lucerne to Château de Fontager
Sit back & take in the Alpine vistas as we make our way through Switzerland, past Lake Geneva & back into France.
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Day 8
Château de Fontager to Barcelona
Today we head south through the rugged and dramatic scenery of the Pyrénées mountains, over the border into Barcelona.
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Day 9
Barcelona
First stop: Montjuic. 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 Spanish architect Gaudi’s wild imagination with his Art Nouveau masterpiece, the Sagrada Família church. Your Tour Manager walks you through the cobbled lanes of Barcelona’s oldest district, the Gothic Quarter.
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Day 10
Barcelona to French Riviera
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.
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Day 11
French Riviera
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.
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Day 12
French Riviera to Florence
Onwards to Italy, land of passion! Heading to Renaissance Florence, we stop by Pisa and get up close to the famous Leaning Tower.
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Day 13
Florence to Rome
Jump start the day uncovering this open-air museum and its city centre.
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Day 14
Rome
This morning, make the most of our Local Guide’s inside knowledge with an optional guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Then check out Rome’s imperial glory by visiting the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
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Day 15
Rome to Venice
This morning, it’s your chance to splash some cash, with our stop at Barberino Designer Outlet mall for our exclusive Italian food & fashion experience. You can use this opportunity to get some gear to show off to your friends at home… This outlet mall is amazing, with your chance to pick up some designer fashion at incredible prices. With between 30%-70% off regular retail, the savings are epic, and because you’re with Contiki you’ll get up to an additional 10% off! From labels like Missoni, Bose, Dolce & Gabbana to name a few – there’s going to be plenty to tempt you today.
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Day 16
Venice
Known as the “floating city”, Venice is packed with character, crammed with hidden lanes and linked by a network of canals.
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Day 17
Venice to Vienna
Chill out on the coach as we make our way through the mighty Dolomites and cruise pass typically Austrian scenes, complete with wooden chalets and green mountain fields.
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Day 18
Vienna
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 Kärntner Strasse, Vienna’s main shopping spot and buy some traditional ceramics and materials for gifts back home.
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Day 19
Vienna to Munich
Remember one of history’s darkest moments with a sobering stop at the Mauthausen concentration camp memorial. Learn more at the museum and walk through the remaining living quarters.
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Day 20
Munich to Prague
Say farewell to the good times in Germany. Relax on the coach as we head to the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague.
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Day 21
Prague
Prague is a beautiful and atmospheric city. It’s also pretty compact, so it’s best explored on foot. Get straight into Prague’s historic heart with your Tour Manager. You’ll walk together over the landmark Charles Bridge, through Hradcany Castle, the home of the original Bohemian Kings and to the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral along the way.
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Day 22
Prague to Berlin
Heading north, we roll back into Germany and on to the region of Dresden, often dubbed 'Florence of the North' because of its beauty.
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Day 23
Berlin
This morning, your Tour Manager will peel back the layers of history and point out the lesser-known details of Berlin’s troubled past on an orientation tour of the city.
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Day 24
Berlin to Amsterdam
Motor down the autobahn, past Hanover, to the free-wheeling, buzzing city of Amsterdam.
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Day 25
Amsterdam
In an intro into Dutch culture, see how clogs are made and try some of the famous Dutch Edam at a cheese farm this morning.
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Day 26
Amsterdam to London
After breakfast, there will be a transfer for you to Schipol Airport (estimated arrival at 10:00 am) OR choose to take a complimentary transfer to central London with your Tour Manager and Driver and extend your stay.
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