European Whirl | Plus | Start London | Summer 2025
European Whirl | Plus | Start London | Summer 2025
European Whirl | Plus | Start London | Summer 2025
19 Days Starting and ending in London
Visiting: London, Dover, Calais, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Dachau, Munich, Tyrol, Venice, Rome, Vatican, Florence, Pisa, Lucerne, Paris
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BBAPP20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 53
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Don't know where to start on your dream Euro trip? This one takes you through all the biggest destinations – hitting up the modern vibes and bouncing nightlife of Berlin and Prague, the Italian Holy Trinity of Venice, Rome and Florence, some chill time in the Swiss Alps and much more. It’s a bit of everything. It’s unforgettable. And you’ll sleep soundly at night with an upgrade to twin-share accom.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : London To Amsterdam
Location: London, Dover, Calais, Amsterdam
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
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 an undisguised Red Light District & plenty of bars are there for the curious.
Day 2 : Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 3 : Amsterdam To Berlin
Location: Amsterdam, Berlin
Accommodation: Ibis Berlin Messe (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Ibis Berlin Messe (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 4 : Berlin
Location: Berlin
Accommodation: Ibis Berlin Messe (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Ibis Berlin Messe (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 5 : Berlin To Prague Via Dresden
Location: Berlin, Dresden, Prague
Accommodation: Ibis Praha Wenceslas Square Hotel (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Ibis Praha Wenceslas Square Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
"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, we'll get out and go exploring, seeing castles and cathedrals and learning of Bohemian Kings and gothic history.
Day 6 : Prague
Location: Prague
Accommodation: Ibis Praha Wenceslas Square Hotel (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Ibis Praha Wenceslas Square Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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, 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'.
Day 7 : Prague To Munich
Location: Prague, Dachau, Munich
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Munich City West (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Express Munich City West (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We warned you about falling head over heels for Prague! Sorry team, you cannot live here forever. Unless....?
Journeying out of the Czech Republic, we'll start our time in Germany with 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 city of Munich.
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, just after you've swooned at a Gothic clock complete with 32 dancing figures and 43 chiming bells.
Day 8 : Munich
Location: Munich
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Munich City West (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Express Munich City West (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is your chance to dive deep into Munich's cute culture and urban life. After our walking tour, you're free to roam the old town, buy yourself a pair or lederhosen or a traditional dirndl, or visit the busy streets and cafes of the university district.
Day 9 : Munich To Venice Via Tyrol
Location: Munich, Tyrol, Venice
Accommodation: LH Hotel Sirio Venice (or similar)
Accommodation Name: LH Hotel Sirio Venice (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Goodbye Munich, hello mountains. Today we're hitting the road for Italy, but first we're in search of lands so sweet they made The Sound of Music.
Take a breath of that fresh alpine air! We're in the Austrian Tyrol, and this part of the world is famous for adventure sports.
And just like that, we're in a new country and a whole new vibe. 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 10 : Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation: LH Hotel Sirio Venice (or similar)
Accommodation Name: LH Hotel Sirio Venice (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 motoscafo boat and cruising the canals en route to the historical heart of the city. Next, you have the option to discover hidden Venice with a guided walking tour or a traditional gondola ride, or take a guided cruise out to the UNESCO heritage site of Burano. At this picture-perfect fisherman's island decorated with gorgeous technicolour houses, you'll visit a local family restaurant and indulge in the best seafood feast you've ever experienced.
Day 11 : Venice To Rome
Location: Venice, Rome
Accommodation: Hotel Santa Costanza (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Hotel Santa Costanza (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 12 : Rome
Location: Rome, Vatican, Rome
Accommodation: Hotel Santa Costanza (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Hotel Santa Costanza (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we're up and out early to make the most of our chance to explore this ancient city. Starting with a visit to the world's smallest country, Vatican City.
Here in Vatican City, you'll be able to take an optional guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel. Religious or not, the Vatican's Italian Renaissance church will send shivers down your spine.
Back in Rome, we'll have time to hit the streets and discover the incredible ancient civilization on our doorstep. 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.
Day 13 : Rome To Florence
Location: Rome, Florence
Accommodation: BB Giustizia (or similar)
Accommodation Name: BB Giustizia (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 14 : Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation: BB Giustizia (or similar)
Accommodation Name: BB Giustizia (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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, a visit to a 14th century Certosan monastry, followed by dinner and wine at a magical Tuscan restaurant nestled in the countryside nearby.
Day 15 : Florence To Lucerne Via Pisa
Location: Florence, Pisa, Lucerne
Accommodation: Ibis Budget Luzern City (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Ibis Budget Luzern City (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 16 : Lucerne
Location: Lucerne
Accommodation: Ibis Budget Luzern City (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Ibis Budget Luzern City (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you're free to stroll the beautiful streets of Lucerne, sit in a coffee shop soaking up mountain life, or consume your body weight in chocolate. 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, sign up for a traditional Swiss fondue lunch, 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.
Day 17 : Lucerne To Paris
Location: Lucerne, Paris
Accommodation: Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel (or similar)
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.
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.
Day 18 : Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 19 : Paris To London
Location: Paris, Calais, Dover, London
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
What's Included
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Accommodations
Stay in a mix of hotels across cities like Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Rome, and Paris, ensuring a comfortable rest.
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Transportation
Travel in style across multiple countries, from the English Channel to the historic streets of Rome, in a comfortable coach.
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Meals
Enjoy daily breakfasts and select dinners with your new friends, experiencing the best of European cuisine.
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Guided Tours
Benefit from guided tours in major cities like Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, and Paris, enriching your cultural and historical understanding.
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Admission Fees
Gain entry to must-see attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, and more, with admission fees covered.
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Local Experiences
Immerse yourself in local experiences, from a gondola ride in Venice to a traditional dinner in Tuscany.
What's Not Included
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Some Meals
While daily breakfasts and select dinners are included, some meals will be at your own expense, giving you the freedom to explore local cuisines.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities, such as gondola rides in Venice or the Montparnasse Tower in Paris, are not included and can be booked at an additional cost.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and additional snacks or beverages are not covered.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is highly recommended for all travelers but is not included in the tour price.
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Airport Transfers
Airport transfers to and from the hotel are not included, allowing you flexibility in your travel arrangements.
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City Taxes
Some cities may impose a tourist tax that is not included in the tour price and will be payable directly at the hotels.
Check out our Q&As
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What countries will we visit on the European Whirl tour?
The European Whirl tour visits England, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
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What are some of the highlights of the tour?
Highlights of the tour include exploring London, visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris, cruising through the canals of Amsterdam, discovering Berlin's history, experiencing Florence's art and cuisine, enjoying the Austrian Tyrol, exploring Rome and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and discovering Lucerne.
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What type of accommodations can we expect?
Accommodations include a mix of hotels in cities like Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Rome, and Paris, ensuring a comfortable rest.
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Are meals included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes daily breakfasts and select dinners, experiencing the best of European cuisine.
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What are the inclusions of the tour?
The tour includes accommodations, transportation, meals, guided tours, admission fees to attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum, and local experiences such as a gondola ride in Venice and a traditional dinner in Tuscany.
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Are there any exclusions I should be aware of?
Exclusions include some meals, optional activities, personal expenses, travel insurance, airport transfers, and city taxes.
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What is the primary tag of the tour?
The primary tag of the tour is Cruise (departing UK).
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What dietary types are catered for on this tour?
The specific dietary types catered for on the tour are not mentioned in the provided information.
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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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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Why book with Barrhead?
Fully Protected
All our holidays are fully financially protected.
Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.
Range
Our bespoke holidays are tailor-made to suit your personal requirements.
We can book flights, rail journeys, accommodation, cruises, attraction tickets and much more.
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
Expert Knowledge
We know because we go – our Touring & Adventure specialists have travelled to over 55 countries.
Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.
Trusted Agent
Multi award-winning agency with almost 50 years experience.
Rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot – the highest-rated high-street travel agent.
We look after you every step of the way.