European Whirl | Gap | Start Amsterdam | Summer 2026
- Overview
- Itinerary
- What's Included
- FAQ
- Dates
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Europe's most iconic destinations with the "European Whirl" tour, starting in vibrant Amsterdam and concluding in historic London. This 19-day adventure takes you through nine countries, offering a rich tapestry of experiences from the chalk-white cliffs of Dover to the romantic streets of Paris. Discover Berlin's cultural landmarks, explore Prague's fairytale-like Castle District, and savor Bavarian traditions in Munich. Experience the somber history of Dachau, glide through Venice's canals, and immerse yourself in Rome's ancient wonders. Enjoy the breathtaking Swiss Alps and indulge in Florence's artistic charm. Travel in comfort with coach transfers and stay in sociable hostels, while enjoying guided tours and iconic landmarks. With 18 breakfasts and 6 dinners included, this tour promises a perfect blend of exploration, culture, and camaraderie. Optional activities like paragliding in Austria and a cabaret show in Paris add extra excitement to this European escapade.
Highlights
- See the iconic chalk-white coastline of Dover.
- Explore the Baroque architecture of Dresden, including the Royal Residence and Zwinger Palace.
- Walk through the winding cobbled streets of Prague and visit the Castle District for panoramic views.
- Visit a traditional Bavarian 'Bier Halle' in Munich and enjoy a beer.
- Take a somber visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site in Munich.
- Speed across the lagoon to Venice and capture classic photos of the gondola boats.
- Take a dreamy tour around Paris, visiting landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Non-included Attractions
Optional Activities
Personal Expenses
Travel Insurance
Visas and Travel Documents
Dining Summary
- 6 Dinner (D)
- 18 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
- London: Travelling to (and through) the UK & Northern Ireland? You’ll need Essential Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)From?January 8, 2025, UK law means that if you’re entering/transiting through border control in the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland you’ll need an?Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?before you travel. Confused? Don’t be – just read on here.
- London: What currency do I need? For this trip, we recommend that you carry the British Pound, Euro, Czech Koruna, Swiss Franc. (It’s a coin collector's dream!)
- London: How do I know when to book tickets for non-included attractions in Amsterdam? This trip includes plenty of interesting Free Time Add-Ons in Amsterdam. So if you’re planning to do any other activity, and looking to book in advance - it’s best to book your tickets between 12-3PM. Of course, you can always book any other time (we’re all about freedom to explore!). But make sure you don’t miss the other activities, or a coach transfer to the accommodation!
- London: Who will I room with if I book additional nights before my trip? You'll stay in a Twin share room (meaning you'll be paired with a fellow traveller of the same gender, and will have two separate beds). If you're booking your trip with a friend/travel companion - just let us know, so we can join your bookings and ensure you share a room. Need a lil' more privacy? You're welcome to opt for a single supplement if you like.
- London: Can I share a room with my partner on this trip? Your Trip Manager will advise you on who you’ll share your room with. On this trip, you’ll stay in a multi-share room with other travellers of the same sex.
Included Experience
- Dover: See the iconic chalk-white coastline. So special that it’s had songs dedicated to it.
- Berlin: Get your culture on. It’s time to see Tiergarten, Alexanderplatz, the Russian War Memorial, Brandenburg Gate and the historic Reichstag building.
- Berlin: Heads up culture vultures. Here’s your chance to check out the longest open-air gallery in the world.
- Dresden: See the Baroque architecture that was rebuilt after the WWII bombings. Royal Residence, Zwinger Palace, Opera House and Frauenkirche.
- Prague: Walk through the winding cobbled streets and head up into the fairytale-like Castle District for panoramic city views.
- Munich: We'll make a stop at a traditional Bavarian ‘Bier Halle’. Grab your Contiki crew and a beer. Prost!
- Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site: Take a somber but impactful visit to the site of a World War II concentration camp in Munich.
- Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice.
- Venice: Life’s all about the waterways here; there’s not an Uber in sight! Get some classic pics of the famous gondola boats.
- Rome: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking off some sights on your bucket list!
- Paris: Take a dreamy jaunt around the city of romance. Fall in love with landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Champs-Élysées and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
- Paris: Your chance to learn the art of fragrance at a Parisian perfume house. You know it makes scents! (soz).
Destinations
- Austria
- Czech Republic
- England
- Europe
- France
- Germany
- Holland
- Italy
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
Tour Types
- Sightseeing
- History
- Cultural
- Beer Tasting
- Walking
- Europe Coach Tours (departing UK)
Location: Amsterdam
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.
Accommodation Name: Via Hostel Amsterdam (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Location: Amsterdam
Amsterdam is cute as a button & sure to win your heart with its canals, obscure museums & a café 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.<br/>
Accommodation Name: Via Hostel Amsterdam (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Berlin
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.
Accommodation Name: Generator Alexanderplatz (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Location: Berlin
Get into the mood of exploration. Berlin has so much to offer the hungry traveler, from the obvious icons like Checkpoint Charlie to all the obscurities tucked away in the side streets. Spend the day lapping up history, scouting the Berlin Wall and dialing up your intellect at sites like the Russian War Memorial, Brandenburg Gate & historic Reichstag building. That way you can let loose a little in the evening without a hint of remorse.<br/>
Accommodation Name: Generator Alexanderplatz (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Prague
"More city hangs" you'll all scream in unison as we motor out of Berlin, high on life & still wanting more. Since you asked so nicely, let us present you with 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. You've got the evening to get a taste of the pints & palaces here. And then tomorrow, we'll check it all out.
Accommodation Name: Plus Prague (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Prague
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! Tonight, we'll get out and go exploring, seeing castles and cathedrals and learning of Bohemian Kings and gothic history..
Accommodation Name: Plus Prague (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Munich
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?
Accommodation Name: Ramada Encore by Wyndham Munich Messe (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Munich
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.
Accommodation Name: Contiki Haus Schoneck (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Location: Austrian Tyrol
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!)<br/>
Accommodation Name: Contiki Haus Schoneck (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Location: Venice
Wake up roamers, we have a bountiful breakfast and a floating city in Italy to tend to. Life's tough! You'll think you've seen enough beauty for one day aer taking in the Central Austrian Alps & Brenner Pass en route to Italy. And then we'll arrive in Venice & your jaw will hit the floor over hidden lanes, story book bridges & a private canal boat ride.
Accommodation Name: Anda Venice Hostel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Rome
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.
Accommodation Name: Hostel Trustever (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Rome
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. Or learn how to make pasta (and then gobble it all up too). When in Rome, right?
Accommodation Name: Hostel Trustever (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Florence
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. 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.
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mirage (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Florence
Ready for a full day of all things Florence? Take a moment to take in the unique beauty of this beautiful city where culture and la dolce vita is evident in every direction you look at. We'll learn the art of Florentine leather before venturing off to see what this "city of dreams" has in store for the afternoon. Tonight you can choose to begin your Tuscan love affair at an optional dinner - think olives, cured meats, crostini & wine.<br/>
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mirage (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Swiss Alps
That's it for our feasting on all things Florence. With the Swiss Alps in our sights, the devastation of leaving this place should be well and truly numbed. Arrive in a picture perfect setting ready for two nights at our accommodation in the heart of this traditional resort town. This place comes to life as the sun sets, so tonight we'll have a chance to spend our free time checking out the local nightlife and foodie scene.
Accommodation Name: Youth Hostel Interlaken (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Location: Swiss Alps
Plenty of views await us today (and if you can find words to do them justice, we applaud you). You've got the option to head to the top of Jungfrau Mountain via cog train and cable car. Want to spike your adrenaline levels too? No probs. You’ll also have the chance to go on the canyon swing. What else? There's some Swiss fondue on the menu for the day too! Yum. Yum. Yum.
Accommodation Name: Youth Hostel Interlaken (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Paris
It's been sweet, but our time in the Alps 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?
Accommodation Name: Generator (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Location: Paris
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.<br/>
Accommodation Name: Generator (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: London
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.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
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Meals
-6 dinners and 18 breakfasts are included.
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Accommodation
-Accommodation in multi-share rooms with other travelers of the same sex.
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Transportation
-Coach transfers between destinations and a ferry ride from Dover to Calais.
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Guided Tours
-Guided tours in various cities including Berlin, Prague, Rome, and Paris.
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Activities
-Visits to iconic landmarks such as the White Cliffs of Dover, Brandenburg Gate, Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, and a private canal boat ride in Venice.
Not Included
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Non-included Attractions
-Tickets for non-included attractions in Amsterdam are not provided.
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Optional Activities
-Optional activities such as white-water rafting in Austria, paragliding, and a Cabaret show in Paris 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 must be purchased separately.
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Visas and Travel Documents
-Visas and other travel documents are not included and must be arranged by the traveler.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
23-Jun-2026
for 0 Nights |
Quad Share | £2335.00 | |
|
31-Aug-2026
for 0 Nights |
Quad Share | £2175.00 |
