European Highlights | Gap Year 18-22 | Start Paris | 2025
European Highlights | Gap Year 18-22 | Start Paris | 2025
European Highlights | Gap Year 18-22 | Start Paris | 2025
14 Days Starting in Paris, France and ending in London, United Kingdom
Visiting: Paris, Beaujolais Wine Region, French Riviera, Monaco City, Florence, Rome, Venice, Munich, Rhine Valley, Amsterdam, London
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GPPEE20
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
18-22
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Europe's most iconic destinations with the "European Highlights" tour, designed for young adventurers aged 18-22. Starting in the romantic city of Paris, this 14-day adventure takes you through the heart of Europe, visiting eight countries including England, France, Monaco, Italy, Austria, Germany, Holland, and the United Kingdom. Experience the charm of the White Cliffs of Dover, the glamour of Monaco, and the historic allure of Rome and Venice. Enjoy a mix of guided tours and free time to explore landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. With 13 breakfasts and 4 dinners included, you'll savor local cuisines while staying in vibrant hostels and charming châteaux. Conclude your journey in London, enriched with memories and new friendships.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: London To Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Jo&Joe Gentilly (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Jo&Joe Gentilly (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
Join forces in London & get to know the wolf pack you're about to take on Europe with. We'll hit the road this morning and make tracks for two weeks of adventure. Shortly before we find our ferry for France, we'll be taking in the English coastline beauty of the White Cliffs of Dover. Off the ferry we arrive in the port town of Calais - French soil! We will travel via World War I battlefields in the Valley of the Somme, before reaching .... Paris! Pop the champagne, dial up the romance, & pass the escargot - we're in Paris, baby! Don't waste a second unpacking, we're going to hit the streets and see how this city comes alive by night. *Heads up, our Paris plans might shift during the Summer 2024 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 2: Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Jo&Joe Gentilly (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Jo&Joe Gentilly (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today's the day to stroll the beautiful streets of Paris, with 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. Tonight, foodies will have the chance to eat a Parisian feast in Montmartre, surrounded by cobbled lanes, village-esque cafes, street artists and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Otherwise, this is your night to sign up for an iconic Parisian cabaret show. Either option will give you the perfect way to make it one to remember!
Day 3: Paris To Beaujolais Wine Region Via Fontainebleau
Location: Beaujolais Wine Region
Accommodation: Château de Cruix (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Château de Cruix (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Farewell French capital! We're off in search of charming countryside & legit, straight from the source, vino. With its medieval stature and grand surrounding ponds, Château Fontainebleau will take your breath away. We'll amble around the gardens then recommence our scenic journey to Beaujolais. Tonight's the night we camp out at Contiki’s very own 16th century château. We say "camp" - LOL. This might be the most royal experience of your life. Wine tasting at the château’s working winery is just one of the ways we'll kill time while we're here. Please note: On occasion, certain departures will be moved from Contiki’s Chateau de Cruix to the French gastronomic capital of Lyon (a title which ain’t given lightly, believe us!) We’ll get the party started with an included meal at a local restaurant, accompanied by local wine.
Day 4: Beaujolais Wine Region To French Riviera
Location: French Riviera
Accommodation: Villa Saint Exupery Beach (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Villa Saint Exupery Beach (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we wake up in the French Riviera! We'll experience the magic of Monaco, a place that has charmed many Hollywood A-listers and aristocrats over the years.
Day 5: French Riviera (Including Monaco City)
Location: Monaco City
Accommodation: Villa Saint Exupery Beach (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Villa Saint Exupery Beach (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we'll take in the crystal blue waters of the Riviera, cobble stone streets and charming markets! Later we take a scenic drive along the Côte d'Azur as we make our way to the heart of it all, Monaco. A night in glamorous Monaco should complete your day slash life. Don a fancy necklace and pop a plum in your mouth - we're about to embark on the lifestyle of the rich and the famous. After a night on the blackjack table it's back to the coast and to bed, the next part of the adventure starts tomorrow.
Day 6: French Riviera To Florence Via Pisa
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel Auto Park (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Hotel Auto Park (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
After almost a week in France you'll be full to the brim with all things French and ready for new ground. Italy, perhaps? No trip around Europe is complete without seeing the world's most famous #AwkwardLean, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Once you've got that perfect snap of you holding the thing up like you're Arnold Schwarzenegger, we'll be on the fast-track to Florence. The dome of Duomo Cathedral sits above the city making certain we know we have arrived in Florence. Tonight you can choose to begin your Tuscan love affair at a Free Time Add-On dinner - think olives, pastas, focaccia, meats & wine.
Day 7: Florence To Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Casa San Juan (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Casa San Juan (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning is a perfect balance of guided wisdom and free time to roam. We'll uncover the beautiful art of traditional leather & explore streets bursting with heritage before eventually hitting the road for Rome. And you thought your morning was interesting! The afternoon will really take it up a notch as we uncover Italian icons in the country's capital of Rome as you get a glimpse of its glory by night. Gelato, pizza and ancient monuments - perfecto!
Day 8: Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Casa San Juan (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Casa San Juan (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rise and shine, Rome awaits us! Today will be a whirlwind of Roman architecture and bucket list sights as we uncover all of Rome’s key features. There’s also the option to head back in time and discover Rome of the Emperors and Gladiators.
Day 9: Rome To Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Anda Venice Hostel (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Anda Venice Hostel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We may be hitting the road again, but we're not done with Italy just yet. We have one more city to lust over... Venice is yours for this glorious Italian afternoon. We'll be jumping aboard our own private boat and hitting the canals en route to the historical heart of the city. A guided walking tour and a gondola ride are up for grabs, or you can always choose to get lost on your own and see where the maze takes you.
Day 10: Venice To Munich Via Tyrol
Location: Munich
Accommodation: Ramada Encore by Wyndham Munich Messe (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Ramada Encore by Wyndham Munich Messe (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Confident we have ticked off all the Italian essentials, we can now leg it to Germany. After all the sophistication and glamour of France and Italy, a few beers and the chance to wear Bavarian suspenders will be precisely what we feel like. Wind through the Austrian Alps to lively Munich. Bavarian culture, a famous Glockenspiel and charm aplenty; Munich doesn't just turn it on during Oktoberfest! Explore peaceful gardens and legendary beer halls or join in the bike tour and explore the side streets you wouldn't usually see.
Day 11: Munich To Rhine Valley Via Dachau
Location: Rhine Valley
Accommodation: Hotel Montag Sankt Goar (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Hotel Montag Sankt Goar (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today it’s goodbye Munich, hello wine country. But first, we have an important stop to make. Journeying out of Munich, we'll make a stop at Dachau 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 to the Rhine Valley. After the scenic journey of fairytale castles, vineyards and valleys, you'll be charmed before we even arrive in Germany's famous Rhine Valley. This back-in-time town is our wine tasting host for the evening.
Day 12: Rhine Valley To Amsterdam Via Edam
Location: Amsterdam
Accommodation: Via Hostel Amsterdam (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Via Hostel Amsterdam (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we'll drag you all away from Germany kicking and screaming that you want to stay forever. Only to see you equally infatuated with another dot on the European map hours later... You know the cheese, and now you're going to know the place that pioneered it. We'll cycle into the countryside admiring windmills in Edam. Pretty canals lined with quaint crooked houses and cafes bursting with life. Amsterdam is all that and way more than what you could ever imagine.
Day 13: Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam
Accommodation: Via Hostel Amsterdam (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Via Hostel Amsterdam (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
It's our last full day on trip & our last night to party up a storm with the squad. Use the day to explore quirky museums & sample the endless array of cuisines this city has on offer. The best way to say farewell to this gorgeous city? Opt to take the A'DAM lookout swing, an incredible observation deck with unrivalled panoramas of the twisting canals below.
Day 14: Amsterdam To London
Location: London
Meals Included: Breakfast
Down your breakfast and wipe away your tears - this is always the worst day of the trip. We'll escort you to Schiphol Airport by about 10am for those leaving us in the canal lined city. For those not leaving us until London, we'll travel south through Belgium, then cross into France to Calais. We'll make our way back to London-town, where you'll be left to start dreaming up your next big adventure. What a journey! Say a fond farewell to the group as you wrap up the trip on arrival in London.
What's Included
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Meals
The tour includes 4 dinners and 13 breakfasts.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided in various locations including Jo&Joe Gentilly in Paris, Château de Cruix in Beaujolais, Villa Saint Exupery Beach in the French Riviera, Hotel Auto Park in Florence, Casa San Juan in Rome, Anda Venice Hostel in Venice, Ramada Encore by Wyndham Munich Messe in Munich, Hotel Montag Sankt Goar in the Rhine Valley, and Via Hostel Amsterdam in Amsterdam.
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Transportation
Transportation is provided throughout the tour, including ferry crossings and private boat rides in Venice.
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Guided Tours
Guided tours are included in various locations such as Paris, Rome, and Venice.
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Included Experiences
Experiences include visiting the White Cliffs of Dover, exploring Paris landmarks, visiting Château de Fontainebleau, wine tasting in Beaujolais, driving through the French Riviera, visiting Monaco City, posing at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, exploring Rome, taking a private boat in Venice, visiting Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, and cycling in Edam.
What's Not Included
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and optional activities are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as a Parisian cabaret show, a Tuscan dinner in Florence, and a gondola ride in Venice are not included.
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Flights
International and domestic flights to and from the starting and ending points of the tour are not included.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 13 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
- London: What currency do I need? For this trip, you’ll need just two currencies - the British Pound and the Euro.
- London: Can I share a room with my partner on this trip? Usually, 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.
- 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.
- Fontainebleau: There’s your everyday châteaux and then there’s Château de Fontainebleau. The medieval palace was once home to Napoleon. And it’s another level of luxe.
- Beaujolais: Be a VIP at the epic Contiki Château and fill up on a banquet of classic French dishes and wines. Ooh la la!
- French Riviera: Glide through the winding coastal roads of the French Riviera with your Contiki crew.
- Monaco City: Walk in the footsteps of Grace Kelly at the Royal Palace and see the Monte Carlo Casino (where the car park looks like a Fast & Furious set).
- Pisa: Your ultimate chance to ‘hold the tower up’ as you pose for that classic Insta snap.
- Rome: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking off some sights on your bucket list!
- Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice.
- Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site: Take a somber but impactful visit to the site of a World War II concentration camp in Munich.
- Sankt Goar: Take in the breath-taking scenery of the River Rhine.
- Edam: Explore all the windmills, canals and dikes on two wheels.
Mode of Transport
Travel through Europe by road, starting in London and ending in Amsterdam, with ferry crossings, scenic drives, and private boat rides in Venice. Experience the diverse landscapes and cultures of England, France, Monaco, Italy, Austria, Germany, and Holland.
Accommodation
Stay in a variety of accommodations including Jo&Joe Gentilly in Paris, Château de Cruix in Beaujolais, Villa Saint Exupery Beach in the French Riviera, Hotel Auto Park in Florence, Casa San Juan in Rome, Anda Venice Hostel in Venice, Ramada Encore by Wyndham Munich Messe in Munich, Hotel Montag Sankt Goar in the Rhine Valley, and Via Hostel Amsterdam in Amsterdam.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
During the tour, you will stay in a variety of accommodations including hostels, hotels, and a chateau. The accommodations are typically shared with other travelers of the same sex.
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Will there be any special activities or experiences included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes several special activities such as a wine tasting at a working winery in the Beaujolais Wine Region, a private boat ride in Venice, and a visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional activities available such as a Parisian cabaret show in Paris, a Free Time Add-On dinner in Florence, and a gondola ride in Venice.
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What kind of meals are provided during the tour?
The tour includes 13 breakfasts and 4 dinners. Meals are typically provided at the accommodations or local restaurants.
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Is there any flexibility in the itinerary for personal exploration?
Yes, there is some flexibility in the itinerary allowing for personal exploration, especially in cities like Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam where you can explore museums, local markets, and other attractions at your own pace.
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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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Aug 19, 2025 - Sep 01, 2025Book 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
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