European Magic Winter – 9 days land only

Starting from	R15 930
Package Validity	Set departure dates between 04 NOV 2017 - 09 DEC 2017.  *** Book & pay by 14 JUN 2017 & SAVE 7.5%, discount already included in the price ***
Duration	9 days
Destination	Belgium (in transit), Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland & France
Starts in	London
Ends in	Paris
Age Group	18 - 35 years

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- 8 nights twin or triple share hotel accommodation
- Breakfast daily & selected dinners
- Assistance of a Trip Manager & Driver team
- Touring by coach
- Sightseeing tours as per itineary
- Ferry crossing
- Hotel tips, local taxes & service charges

** Tour operates from 21 OCT 2017 - 17 MAR 2018. Please enquire with your Travel Agent for dates & prices.

 

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London to Amsterdam

Meet up with your Contiki team before we hit the road & take a ferry past the White Cliffs of Dover. Next stop: the buzzing, free-wheeling city of Amsterdam. Check out Amsterdam’s eye-opening Red Light District, where the creative & wacky come together on narrow cobbled streets, 24/7. With an optional evening canal cruise, you’ve got a chance to get to know the group, unwind with a few drinks & uncover Amsterdam at water level. Get some pointers on the city’s hot spots from your Trip Manager & head into town for a fun night out.

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Amsterdam to Rhine Valley

Experience Amsterdam’s coffee shops, museums & cool, quirky boutiques. In your free time, wander along shady canals & pass gabled houses or hop on two wheels like the laid-back locals & bike through the centre of town. Chill out while the coach follows the Rhine River, weaving through valleys dotted with castles & vineyards. Next stop - the pretty, old-world village of St. Goar, complete with fairy tale castle & the world's largest free-hanging cuckoo clock! Kick back with a glass of local wine & choose to find out more with the optional wine tasting in a candlelit underground cellar.

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Rhine Valley to Munich

Travelling south, pull into the home of the world-famous Oktoberfest, Munich - a city that blends traditional Bavarian culture with modern lifestyle. Explore the heart of Munich’s old town with the crew, & head to Marienplatz. It’s a central gathering spot famous for the Glockenspiel - a Gothic clock, complete with 32 dancing figures & 43 chiming bells. Get off the beaten track & onto Munich’s side streets with our Local Guide on a fun biking tour around the city – it’s a great way to see the sights. Then, get a taste of tradition at a typical beer hall. Park yourself at a long wooden table, order yourself some hearty local food, like roasted pork knuckle, & quench your thirst with a stein of one of Germany’s 5000 brews.

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Munich to Venice

Wind through the Bavarian Alps & over the Brenner Pass to Venice. But first, pull into Innsbruck, a down-to-earth student city. Walk around the medieval streets of the old town, grab some lunch, & check out Innsbruck’s landmark Golden Roof & Royal Palace. Make sure you catch a glimpse of the impressive Olympic Ski Jump, used in both the 1964 & 1976 Winter Olympics.


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Venice

Known as the “floating city”, Venice is packed with character, crammed with hidden lanes & linked by a network of canals. The group travels on our private boat through the waters of the lagoon to visit the city’s historical heart. The limestone Bridge of Sighs, the Gothic arches of the Doge’s Palace & the expanse of St. Mark’s Square (pigeons & all!) show off Venice’s unique beauty & way of life. Take some time to explore the floating city & lose yourself in the backstreets. There’s an optional walking tour where you can discover the labyrinth of interweaving lanes, waterways, palaces, piazzi & markets with our Local Guide. You’ll see historic monuments, hidden treasures & the Rialto market – a local favourite for food shopping. Maybe grab a table on St. Mark’s Square & eat some delicious Italian food al fresco. Cap off the day with an optional gondola ride & share this amazing experience with your friends – seeing Venice from on the water is unforgettable!

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Venice to Lucerne

Catch a glimpse of stunning Lake Como as we make our way into the massive Swiss Alps. With covered wooden bridges, cobbled lanes & quaint buildings, Lucerne’s centre is perfect to explore on foot. Also to stock up on lots of genuine Swiss chocolate! Your Trip Manager can give you pointers on where to pick up the best-priced watches that Switzerland is so famous for.

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Lucerne to Paris

With down-time on the coach, plug in your MP3, chill out to some music & chat with friends while travelling through the scenic wine producing region of Burgundy. Tonight, the group kick-starts Paris with the 'Tour of Illuminations', which shows off the French capital’s transformation into the “City of Lights”. Lamp-lit bridges & cool little cafés give us a real taste of Paris’ romance. Your Trip Manager will fill you in on the world’s most-recognised monuments, like the Eiffel Tower & the Arc de Triomphe. Then get a stunning view of the entire city with included entry to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Oui, oui, Paris!

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Paris

Next up: Fragonard! This perfumery has an elegant interior & is a unique setting for a look into the history of perfume. It’s also a chance to pick up some French perfume at great prices. This town is loaded with possibilities. Discover its many bistros, museums, tree-lined avenues & diverse quartiers (neighbourhoods). Get a feel for French flair by window shopping on the Left Bank. Step into the Notre Dame or explore the endless galleries of the Louvre, where you can get up close to the famous Mona Lisa. In your free time, try indulging in some delicious pastries & relax in one of Paris’ many city parks. Tonight is the last night with your friends, so make it special. Treat yourself to the full Parisian experience with a cabaret show, complete with can-can girls, dinner & Champagne. But don’t stop there – afterwards hit the clubs & finish up your travels with a big Parisian night out.

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Depart Paris

This morning after breakfast we transfer you to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (estimated arrival 10:00am) where your trip ends. Or choose to take a complimentary transfer to central London & extend your stay.

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