Contiki European Highlights: 29/06/13 – 12/07/13

Here’s my plans for my 3 weeks in London and Europe, with details of my Contiki Tour. For more details, click on the links 🙂

24/06 – Hop on a plane and fly to London!

25/06-28/06 – London town, with all the exciting tourist-y things such as a The Original hop-on hop-off tour, the London Eye, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace etc. Spending a night at the Royal National Hotel to catch up with my tour mates before the tour begins.

29/06 – DAY 1: LONDON TO PARIS

We leave London early this morning, and board the ferry to France. On day 1 we get to see the White Cliffs of Dover; go on an exclusive ‘Paris by Night’ sightseeing tour with Champagne & escargot; see the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, and Notre Dame Cathedral.

30/06 – DAY 2: PARIS

Day 2 in Paris is a “free day” with an option to have a Parisian Dinner that evening and a chance to go to the Nouvelle Eve for the Cabaret.

01/07 – DAY 3: PARIS TO BEAUJOLAIS WINE REGION

Tonight includes a “special stopover” at Contiki’s French Château (Chateau de Cruix) along with wine tasting. We get to see the Château Fontainebleau as well as the Chablis, Burgundy & Beaujolais vineyards.

02/07 – DAY 4: BEAUJOLAIS WINE REGION TO FRENCH RIVIERA

Today we see the PapalPalace in Avignon. We get to visit a French perfumery and also take a scenic drive along the Côte d’Azur on the way to Antibes.

03/07 – DAY 5: FRENCH RIVIERA

Today we get the chance to explore the neighbouring towns of the French Riviera. We also get to see the RoyalPalace in Monaco and a visit a Monte Carlo casino.

04/07 – DAY 6: FRENCH RIVIERA TO FLORENCE

On our way to Florence today we get to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Tonight there is a chance to have a “Tuscan meal” with the whole group.

05/07 – DAY 7: FLORENCE TO ROME

Day 7 is a very busy day! There is a chance to discover the Statue of David, Ponte Vecchio, the MediciPalace and more on locally guided walking tour of Florence. We will also get the chance to see the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s BellTower, the Baptistry & Piazza della Signoria, after which we will learn about Florence’s leather craft with a demonstration. We also take our group photo today!

Then it’s off to Rome – starting with a special access Rome sightseeing coach tour where we will see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon & Piazza Navona as well as St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City.

06/07 – DAY 8: ROME

Today we have a free day to explore Rome. We have the options of going on a Vatican tour, as well as an “Imperial Tour” where we visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

07/07 – DAY 9: ROME TO VENICE

Once in Venice we get a private boat through the canals and islands of Venice and we will see the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Square. There is also the option to do a walking tour and go on a Gondola ride.

08/07 – DAY 10: VENICE TO MUNICH

We take a scenic drive past vineyards, orchards & castles on the way to Munich and also get to see the Glockenspiel & Marienplatz. We can then go on a city bike tour of Munich. Also hoping to find time for a beer hall today!

09/07 – DAY 11: MUNICH TO RHINE VALLEY

On day 11 we visit the Dachau concentration camp memorial. We will also see the Lorelei Rock and learn how beer steins are crafted. There is an option for wine tasting too!

10/07 – DAY 12: RHINEVALLEY TO AMSTERDAM

Today we see the canals & a windmill on a countryside bike tour in Edam where we also visit a cheese farm & a clog maker’s house. We will also get to see Amsterdam’s canals & gable houses by night.

11/07 – DAY 13: AMSTERDAM

Day 13 is a free day to explore Amsterdam. I hope to get a chance to go to the “Anne Frank Huis”. We can go on a canal bike tour and tonight we have the option of a canal cruise and dinner at the Sea Palace Restaurant.

12/07 – DAY 14: AMSTERDAM TO LONDON

Today we return to London after what I’m sure will be an incredible trip!

13/07-17/07 – London town again, until my flight leaves.

18/07 – Land back home, and bore everyone I know with countless retelling of my stories! Make an album and video to remember my holiday!

Full details of the tour are available at http://www.contiki.com/destinations/europe/tours/117-european-highlights