European Whirl (Plus)

The adventure of a lifetime kicks off today. Meet up with your new Contiki family in London town before hitting the road to Amsterdam. Shortly before we find our ferry for France, 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! We travel north through Belgium before reaching... Amsterdam! Tonight, the famed-for-fun Amsterdam is ours to explore. First fill up on your included group dinner, then you're free to explore or hit the local bars. (D) Stay: Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)

Amsterdam is cute as a button & sure to win your heart with its canals, obscure museums & a cafe culture like no other. This afternoon use your time to get local, bar hop, museum crawl, and see what other tastes take your fancy, this town is famous for pancakes, frites and so much more. (B)

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 history into the city and its troubled and interesting past. Once we arrive your Trip Manager can point you in the right direction to go and see the sights. (B/D) Stay: ibis Berlin Messe (or similar)

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. Luckily, we've got two walking tours to offer you. A historical walking tour in the morning to discover spots like Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag Building and an alternative walking tour in the evening to discover edgy Kreuzberg. Either way, it's a day packed with stories, sights, and a real taste of Berlin. (B)

Bye-bye Berlin! High on life & still wanting more, we'll roll right into Prague, the darling of Europe. A drive from Berlin to Prague would not be complete without stopping in Dresden. Destroyed by World War II, the rebuilt town is now a symbol of resilience, soaked in the re-birthed beauty of the Opera house, the domed Frauenkirche, & the Royal Residence. On arrival in the compact & lovable city of Prague, we'll get out and go exploring, seeing castles and cathedrals and learning of Bohemian Kings and gothic history.

Tonight, you could see yourself spending the evening indulging in traditional Czech cuisine while admiring the local folklore dancers as the sun goes down on the 'City of a Thousand Spires'. (B) Stay: Ibis Praha Wenceslas Square Hotel (or similar)

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! (B)

We warned you about falling head over heels for Prague! Sorry team, you cannot live here forever. But there's no need to shed tears just yet, we're heading to somewhere even more exciting! It would seem we were born in need of some delightful Bavarian culture, we just didn't know it until now. Munich may be famed for its Oktoberfest festivities, but the spirit of things kicks on year round. A trip to a traditional beer hall will get you very well acquainted with things. Maybe right after you've toured the city on two wheels? (B) Stay: Holiday Inn Express Munich City West (or similar)

With no time to waste, we'll make our way to Austria this morning. We'll make a stop for a sobering visit to the Dachau concentration camp memorial. You'll be able to spend some time here to learn and reflect, before we head on. Ahhh, cool breeze on sun-kissed skin... we must be in the Austrian Tyrol. Before we reach our final stop for the evening, you'll have the chance to zip through the icy waters while white-water rafting.

Afterwards, we'll continue on to Hopfgarten where a delicious welcome dinner awaits. When it comes to hitting the hay tonight, you'll sleep in a same-sex multi-share with up to 5 other travellers. (B/D) Stay: Contiki Haus Schoneck (or similar)

A free day? In Austria? With epic Alpine views? It must be your lucky day… You have the chance to ride a bike through the valleys and enjoy a BBQ lunch. Or even better, paraglide over them. (Whee!) (B/D)

Hopfgarten, you've been incredible. But a very special place awaits us this afternoon. And just like that, we're in a new country and a whole new vibe. Fresh pasta, lilting accents & romantic architecture - we've arrived in one of Italy's most famous cities. And what better way to explore than a Gondola ride? Plus, you have the chance to visit Venice's most famous restaurants! This is what La Dolce Vita must be all about... (B) Stay: Hotel Riviera dei Dogi (or similar)

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 evening will really take it up to high key as we uncover Italian icons in the country's capital of Rome. With a city tour on arrival, we'll get a glimpse of Rome's glory by night, ready to be fully unveiled tomorrow. Gelato, pizza and ancient monuments, we're here for it all. (B) Stay: The Brand Hotel (or similar)

This morning we're up and out early to make the most of our chance to explore this ancient city. You can opt to take a tour of the famous Colosseum and walk in the footsteps of Emperors and Gladiators in a guided tour, or snap epic selfies against a background of pink azaleas by the entrance. Visit the Trevi Fountain and throw coins to make a wish, sip espresso in a cobbled backstreet and soak up Italian life as it dances by. Oh, and Roman food tour? You won't wanna miss out on that. (B)

With antipasto, good vino and golden countryside ahead, saying goodbye to Rome doesn't feel so bad. Cast your eyes over the city one last time this morning before we hit the road, bound for Tuscany. We'll stop off to visit a gorgeous 16th Century villa that's now a working winery. We'll check out the old cellar, and even sample some Chianti wine for ourselves – with antipasti too of course. Rude not to, right?

Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is more proof that Italy has so many great places packed into one small region. Here we'll drift along the River Arno, get into the Tuscan vibes with a drop of Chianti wine, and take in the beauty of the city and its magnificent Duomo Cathedral. Take it all in - we have all day tomorrow to let the explorations continue. (B) Stay: B&B Hotel Firenze Novoli (or similar)

Ready for a full day of all things Florence? Today is the perfect balance of guided local wisdom and free time to roam. We'll uncover the beautiful art of traditional leatherwork, explore streets bursting with heritage, and see all the top sights on a walking tour.

This afternoon you'll have free time to take to the local markets and taste the local gelato before a special optional evening out tonight. (B)

It's almost time to say a heartfelt 'ciao' to Italy, and hello to the land of creamy chocolate, cheese and watches. But we have one more thing to do in Italy first.... As if we were going to jump from Florence to Switzerland without a sneaky side trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Here's your chance to perfect the holding-up-the-tower shot, so make it a good one.

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 and take the chance to explore. Our recommendation for tonight? Swiss chocolate. (B) Stay: Ibis Budget Luzern City (or similar)

Today you're free to stroll the beautiful streets of Lucerne, sit in a coffee shop soaking up mountain life, or try some delish fondue. But if you're looking for something a little more adventurous, you can opt for a visit the top of Mt. Pilatus for breathtaking views over the Swiss Alps, or take an optional cruise across Lake Lucerne for a look at the epic Swiss Alps reflected off the water. Don't say we don't spoil you. (B)

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. After coasting through the pretty wine producing region of Burgundy, we'll arrive in the City of Lights. Lamp-lit bridges, a sparkling Eiffel Tower, & evening coffee haunts, this evening we'll fall in love with everything Paris on a dreamy night-time tour. Is it just us, or is love in the air?

Once we've seen the most famous landmarks, we'll celebrate our first night in the city by heading up the Montparnasse Tower for the best panoramic views of the city. (B/D) Stay: Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel (or similar)

Pastries, paintings, perfume - Paris is yours! We'll take you to the glamorous Fragonard perfumery, then the time is yours to roam tree-lined quartiers, wander Le Marais for food, shop up a storm on the Champs Elysee, or get arty in the galleries of the Louvre. It's our last night together - make it count with can-can girls & a Cabaret show with dinner. (B)

Soak up your last dose of Paris and feel the astonishment of how much you've seen. And how close you've grown to your loved-up Contiki collective. What a journey, on arrival in London say a fond farewell to the group as you wrap up the journey on arrival. (B)