European Magic | Start London |Summer | Season 2024
European Magic | Start London |Summer | Season 2024
European Magic | Start London |Summer | Season 2024
9 Days Starting and ending in London
Visiting: London, Dover, Calais, Amsterdam, Rhine Gorge, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice, Lucerne, Paris
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BBHHA19
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 50
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Beer Tasting, Boat/Cruise Excursion, Cycling, Sightseeing, Walking
Tour Overview
Embark on a 9-day, 7-country adventure with the "European Magic" tour, starting and ending in London. This cultural journey takes you through the picturesque landscapes and vibrant cities of England, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Highlights include exploring Amsterdam's charming canals, savoring German wine in the Rhine Valley, experiencing Munich's Bavarian traditions, and cruising Venice's romantic waterways. You'll also marvel at the Swiss Alps in Lucerne and fall in love with Parisian elegance. With a mix of guided tours, optional excursions, and free time, this tour offers a perfect blend of sightseeing, history, and local flavors.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: London To Amsterdam
Location: London, Dover, Calais, Amsterdam
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
Your 7-country, 9-day adventure begins here! You'll meet up with your Contiki crew in London and we'll all board our coach here, ready to set off for European soil.
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! Next we journey to Amsterdam!
And here we are at our final stop for this evening: Amsterdam! We'll start our exploration of this city with a peek of canals, bicycles & 17th century gable houses lit up by night. Next on the agenda tonight, we have an optional evening cruise along the canals - the perfect way for our travel crew to get to know each other. Afterwards, there's plenty of nightlife to keep you going until the early hours.
Day 2: Amsterdam To Rhine Valley
Location: Amsterdam, Rhine Gorge
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Montag Sankt Goar (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning is your chance to explore Amsterdam. Take a wander down a cobbled canal-lined street, step into a local 'Poffertjes' cafe for Dutch mini pancakes, or check out some of the cute bookshops lining the canal. Then say 'Vaarwel!' because this afternoon we're setting off for our next country, Germany.
From narrow canals to one sprawling river, with boats gliding to and fro. Welcome to the Rhine Valley, home of premium German wine… in a classic romantic setting. It’s a treat for all the senses.
Day 3: Rhine Valley To Munich
Location: Rhine Gorge, Munich
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Express Munich City West (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Saying goodbye to the Rhine Valley, we'll head on to Munich – where lederhosen, dirndls, steins of beer and gingerbread-style buildings await.
"Prost!”. Here in the home of Oktoberfest we'll take a locally guided tour of the city, and amuse ourselves watching the antics of mechanical figurines in the city's famous Glockenspiel. Making the most of our time in Munich this evening, we'll get introduced to 800 years of history at a traditional Bavarian beer hall.
Day 4: Munich To Venice
Location: Munich, Innsbruck, Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Ambra Quarto Daltino (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
'Auf Wiedersehen' Munich, we're off to tick more countries off our list. This morning we'll climb aboard our coach ready for a scenic roll through the Bavarian Alps, past fairytale castles and rambling vineyards, en route to Austria.
Drive through Austria without getting out to say hello? Never! We'll pull into Innsbruck for lunch, a laid-back student city made famous by a medieval old town, an old Olympic Ski Jump & a Royal Palace.
Ah, Venice! Fresh pasta, lilting accents & romantic architecture - we've arrived in one of Italy's most famous cities. Tonight we'll relax here, knowing we have all day tomorrow to cruise canals & explore picturesque cobbled streets.
Day 5: Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Ambra Quarto Daltino (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Buongiorno! Venice is ours for a full and glorious Italian day. We'll start exploring The Floating City by jumping aboard our own private motoscaffo boat and cruising the canals en route to the historical heart of the city. Next, you have the chance to discover hidden Venice with a guided walking tour, take a traditional gondola ride, or just explore these cobbled streets on your own. Tonight, you can choose to sign up for an authentic Venetian 3-course feast.
Day 6: Venice To Lucerne
Location: Venice, Lucerne
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Sursee (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
With a few days left, it's time to say 'ciao' to our time in Venice. We'll never forget you, city of canals and beauty, but Switzerland is calling us. Back on our coach we'll pass Lake Como as we cruise out of Italy and head onwards and upwards toward the Swiss Alps.
With magical views unfolding outside our windows we'll find ourselves in Switzerland, pulling up in the fairytale town of Lucerne, famous for its wooden bridges, cobbled lanes and beautiful setting against the lake it's named after. Here we'll visit the wooden chapel bridge and lion monument, then you'll have the chance to take an optional lake cruise tonight, giving yourself a better look at the epic Swiss Alps reflected off the water. Our other recommendation for tonight? Swiss chocolate.
Day 7: Lucerne To Paris
Location: Lucerne, Paris
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. Ah, we've finally arrived in the city of love! So, of course, we're starting with a gorgeous French dinner. Afterwards, you're free to do what you please. Enjoy a glass of fine wine, explore trendy fashion, or even soak in iconic sights! Finally, we'll end the night with jaw-dropping city views from the Montparnasse Tower. *Heads up, our Paris plans might shift during the Summer Olympics due to city restrictions, impacting our Illuminations Tour of the city along with other possible disruptions. We're on it, crafting alternative experiences for your safety and enjoyment. Your understanding means the world to us!
Day 8: Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
There's 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. Just don't wear yourself out, because tonight's your chance to get involved with VIP seats and dinner at the iconic Moulin Rouge cabaret show. With your last night looming, this is the perfect way to make it one to remember. Get ready to go out with a bang!
Day 9: Paris To London
Location: Paris, Calais, Dover, London
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. Our last coach ride together will be a complimentary transfer to CDG airport this morning, or you can stay onboard for the full ride back to London. Plenty of time to start planning the next reunion...
What an adventure! Say a fond farewell to the group as you wrap up the trip on arrival in London.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation in hotels such as Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside, Hotel Montag Sankt Goar, Holiday Inn Express Munich City West, Hotel Ambra Quarto Daltino, Ibis Budget Luzern City, and Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel.
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Meals
Meals included are breakfast daily and some dinners as specified in the itinerary.
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Transport
Transport by coach throughout the tour.
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Guided Tours
Locally guided tours in Munich and other cities as specified in the itinerary.
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Evening Cruise in Amsterdam
Optional evening cruise along the canals of Amsterdam.
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Private Motoscaffo Boat Ride in Venice
Private motoscaffo boat ride in Venice.
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Gondola Ride in Venice
Optional traditional gondola ride in Venice.
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Night-time Tour of Paris
Night-time tour of Paris including a visit to the Montparnasse Tower for panoramic views.
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Visit to Wooden Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument in Lucerne
Visit to the wooden chapel bridge and lion monument in Lucerne.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as the evening cruise in Amsterdam, guided walking tour in Venice, and lake cruise in Lucerne are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Flights
International and domestic flights are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and any other travel documentation costs are not included.
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Tips and Gratuities
Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
Mode of Transport
Transport by coach throughout the tour.
Check out our Q&As
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Are visa fees included in the tour package?
No, visa fees and any other travel documentation costs are not included.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, meals included are breakfast daily and some dinners as specified in the itinerary.
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Is there an evening cruise in Amsterdam included in the tour?
An optional evening cruise along the canals of Amsterdam is available.
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Are guided tours included in the itinerary?
Yes, locally guided tours in Munich and other cities as specified in the itinerary are included.
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Are tips and gratuities included in the tour package?
No, tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
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What kind of transport is used during the tour?
Transport by coach is provided throughout the tour.
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Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
No, travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Are personal expenses covered in the tour package?
No, personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Are there any optional activities not included in the tour price?
Yes, optional activities such as the evening cruise in Amsterdam, guided walking tour in Venice, and lake cruise in Lucerne are not included.
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What landmarks will we visit in Lucerne?
In Lucerne, you will visit the wooden chapel bridge and lion monument.
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
Accommodation is provided in hotels such as Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside, Hotel Montag Sankt Goar, Holiday Inn Express Munich City West, Hotel Ambra Quarto Daltino, Ibis Budget Luzern City, and Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel.
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What activities are included in Venice?
In Venice, a private motoscaffo boat ride is included, and there is an optional traditional gondola ride available.
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What is included in the night-time tour of Paris?
The night-time tour of Paris includes a visit to the Montparnasse Tower for panoramic views.
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Are flights included in the tour package?
No, international and domestic flights are not included.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.
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Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Contiki allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform contiki, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Contiki requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of contiki charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 25% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions