If you were scratching your head asking yourself “what’s the perfect 2 weeks in Europe itinerary,” then boy oh boy do we have an answer for you! With Contiki of course, and we’ve even got the perfect trip all prepared and waiting for you.
What’s that? No planning involved at all? No! Accommodation and transport all sorted? Yes! That’s the magic of Contiki baby, and we’ve even packed a coach full of people from all over the world for you to meet and make friends with. Relax, make some epic Euro memories, and let yourself be whisked away on our European Highlights trip.
Week 1
Day 1 – London
Let’s start this 2 week European itinerary off right by landing in bustling and luxurious London! It’ll be a quick sweep around the town – unless you arrive a few days before your departure date and have time to indulge – but don’t worry too much because we’ll be looping back around. Spot Tower Bridge and the London Eye from your seat on the iconic Contiki coach and settle in for a whirl around some of the best European cities.
Image source:Contiki
Days 1 & 2 – Paris
From London to Paris! We’ll be bypassing Dover for views of some stunning white cliffs, and Calais for a taste of those Northern French beachsides – a most underrated destination… Then finally, we arrive at the Romance capital of Europe: Paris, c’est jolie!
Take a walking tour with your new Contiki crew, maybe along the twinkly Seine, and drift by the many, many, art museums to plan your free day tomorrow. You’ll get an entire day to yourself in the French capital city before reconvening in the evening for a magical Cabaret dinner and show! Don’t forget your beads and feathers…
Days 3 & 4 – Beaujolais Wine Region
We can’t pass through France without sampling some red and whites, now can we? That would just be rude. So, naturally, we’re heading down to the Beaujolais region where it’ll be wine galore (and other local gastronomic treats). But first, a stop at the majestic Château Fontainebleau which is every bit the fairytale palace you imagine. Sandy stone walls, a blue-ish grey roof with towers and spires, and of course elegantly trimmed gardens… Wow.
Don’t be too sad to leave because we’re heading from one Château to the next. That’s right, your accommodation tonight is in the one and only Contiki Château de Cruix where you’ll be treated like kings and queens. That’s something only Contiki can bring to your 2 week European itinerary…
Image source:Contiki
Day 5 – French Riviera
Wakey, wakey, your highness, it’s off to the South for some sun and more French fabulousness. The Côte d’Azur awaits us. The name translates to ‘azure coast’ which tells you all you need to know about the sights that are about to grace your eyes. Bluest of blue water, sandiest of sand beaches. Bliss. You’ll also get a chance to visit Nice, a sunny and friendly city where you can bike around and soak up some history.
Day 5 – Monaco
Not an overnight stay, but we’ll touch Monégasque soil for one of the fanciest day trips of your life. Stroll around the glitzy streets and see how many sports cars and yachts you can spot. Whoever counts the most wins a (significantly less elegant) prize!
Image source:Contiki
Days 6 & 7 – Florence
Love you, France, but it’s time to leave you now and move on to the next phase of our 2 weeks in Europe itinerary. Prepare for some pasta-stic horizons in none other than… Italy! If you’re obsessed with the rich culture of France, then Florence will dazzle you even more. But we’re stopping off at Pisa before to snap a few obligatory illusion selfies by the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Florence will greet us with its dreaminess just as the sun sets (hopefully we get those timings exactly right, but it’ll be gorgeous either way!). Roam through the city coined as a ‘Walking Museum’ and let the deep history and culture wash over you.
Week 2
Days 7, 8 & 9 -Rome
If you think it can’t get much better than Florence, you’d be wrong. We’re hopping back on the coach for a quick zip down to Rome, where all roads lead. Enjoy another walking tour with the crew who are undoubtedly your best friends by now, and then sit down for a well-deserved pizza or pasta meal – or both! Why not, treating yourself is what Europe in 2 weeks is all about!
Take a day for yourself in Rome so you can do all that must be done. A tour of The Vatican and all its fabled and gold-foiled artistry; a wander through time by admiring preserved ruins and the colossal Colosseum. It’s hard to visit Rome and not wonder how regal ancient life must have been. But then you remember Roman toilets and thank the fates for being born in the modern world…
Image source:Cristina Gottardi / unsplash
Days 9 & 10 -Venice
All aboard the motoscafo for the next stop of our 2 week European itinerary, we’re circling back up North to view some sparkling lagoons, colourful houses, and watch the epochal gondoliers do their job in Venice. Venetian masks, endless waterways, an art scene like no other, and plenty more delicious foods. It’s really starting to feel like this trip can’t get any better.
Days 10 & 11 – Munich
We’ve ticked off most of the Italian essentials (but if you’re missing some favs like the Amalfi Coast then check out our Simply Italy trip), so it’s off to Germany for a change of pace. Gone with the beaches and coasts, in with charming Bavarian architecture and fresh Alpine air.
Our first stop is Munich where the first thing we’ll do is devour a giant pretzel and a pint of beer as all good German patrons do. It’s a must, really, and after that we can hop on a peaceful bike ride around the cobblestoned streets past the famous Glockenspiel and many more fairytale zones.
Image source:Contiki
Days 11 & 12 – Rhine Valley
The reason trips to Europe are so great is because you can effortlessly blend deep culture and history with down time and partying. On our way to the Rhine Valley we’ll be making a stop at Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial where we can spend some time to learn and reflect. It’s a sobering experience, and one that you’ll think about on the scenic route to our penultimate destination.
The Rhine Valley is full of vineyards and, you guessed it, valleys and we’ll be making the most out of these. Take in the calming scenery of the River Rhine and think back to all the amazing new memories you’ve made in under 2 weeks. Then, cheers to new friends at a local wine tasting where we’ll sample the regions’ finest and debate whether France or Germany’s wine game is stronger.
Days 12 & 13 – Amsterdam
If you’re a fan of cycling and canals, then you’ll become absolutely infatuated with this next stop! It’s Amsterdam, with a detour to Edam, the land of the cheese, first. In Edam we’ll get to spend a quaint afternoon learning about cheese and clogs (two of Hollands’ specialties) as part of one of our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences.
In Amsterdam we’ll have a free day, and you better make good use of it because it’s the last stop on our 2 week European itinerary! Explore museums and pop into the cute coffee shops that line the streets, or simply wander along the canal and chit chat with your pals. We’ll have a last hoorah with a Contiki family dinner, and the rest of the evening is yours to party up a storm.
Image source:Contiki
Day 14 – London
Finish off your European love affair with a return to your first beau. You can spend some quality time together enjoying all the things you may have missed before being whisked away. Or, continue the chase and do it all again by booking our London to Vienna trail.
See how easy that was? Why plan a trip when you can have Contiki plan it for you and include a load of amazing experiences, accommodations, and dinner reservations that you never thought possible? We’ve laid it all out for you, your 2 weeks in Europe itinerary awaits.
