Europe isn’t just cathedrals, canals, and cobblestone streets. From dogsledding in Norway to glacier hiking in Iceland, you haven’t been doing Europe wrong… you maybe just haven’t had the opportunity to do it Contiki-style.
Beyond the postcards lies a continent full of unexpected adventures, local traditions, and once-in-a-lifetime moments and we’re determined to take you on as many as you want!
Don’t worry, we’ll always have eating gelato in Italy and sailing across the Greek Islands. But we’ll also have festivals, immersive cooking classes, dining with locals, and some wild and wacky adventures along the way.
Bog shoe hiking in Latvia, anyone?
Here’s some of the European experiences you can find on Contiki that you may never have known existed.
Head to Europe in time for a festival trip
Nothing screams summer lovin’ like a festival trip thrown into your Euro summer extravaganza and whether you’re dancing your heart out at Sziget or partaking on a Croatia Sail for Ultra Music Festival, we’ve got the festival trip for you.
And it doesn’t have to be just for music-goers. Want to experience a winter wonderland? Our Christmas Market trips make for the most magical time of the year.
Catch the Northern Lights in Iceland from a rooftop hot tub
If you plan your trip to Iceland at the right time, one of Contiki’s trips could have you sitting in prime position to catch the Northern Lights after a day of sight-seeing across Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Falls and trying locally made ice cream at a family farm.
So what’s better than topping off the night sitting in hot tub at Base Camp and catching the magic sky? Not much, we reckon.
And why not try your hand at Glacier Hiking?
While in Iceland, it’d be rude not to! It’s basically a rite of passage.
Contiki’s trip also includes an optional glacier walk. The glacier tongue of Falljökull is one of many tongues stretching from the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull. WIth an expert guide, you’ll navigate the dramatic formation, getting a close-up look at a landscape that feels otherworldly.
And if hiking is your thing, there’s also bog shoe hiking in Latvia
It’s not often you hear that someone goes to Latvia on their big Euro trip. And it’s definitely not often that you hear someone went bog shoe hiking in Latvia. Or like, anywhere for that matter.
But consider this adventure one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Explore wild, untouched wetlands using traditional bog shoes as you glide across soft, springy terrain that feels almost otherworldly. No cars, no traffic, no hectic vibes: just peace, quiet, stunning views, and a random story to make your friends back home jealous!
Visit local Italian farms and learn the ways of the land
Obviously if you’re going to Italy, good food and good wine is a given. In between visiting Renaissance romance central Verona, cruising Lake Como, taking in a history lesson at Pompeii, and drinking in the sun on the Amalfi, you’ll be eating a truckload of good food.
However, for an intimate, immersive and local experience, Contiki’s trips offer expeditions to local farms to learn about life on the land and eat lunch with the families. Fall in love with Sicily as Fabio and Annarella share their love of Sicilian Mediterranean culture and culinary traditions, and showcase their olive oil, almonds, citrus, breads, and jams that they produce on their farm. Sound tantalising? The Ultimate Italy trip will be right up your alley.
And experience a farm-to-table dinner in Mallorca
Over in Spain, in between cruising the backstreets on bikes and enjoying a traditional Flamenco Show over tapas and drinks, you’ll also spend an evening on an organic farm to really learn from the locals.
Getting to know all about the relationship between the crops and the locals, the farm tour will wind down with drinks and an authentic dinner made with ingredients grown on the farm. It’s an immersive culinary experience like no other!
Go cruising and wining in Croatia
Sailing Croatia is obvious. From the ocean dips, to the rugged cliffs and historic buildings, there’s a lot to see and do, but do you know Croatia is also known for its wines?
While you may usually think Italy or France as the wine experts, embarking on a Croatia Island Sail with Contiki will have you visiting a family-run winery in Croatia. From sampling their organic wines and learning all about their 300-year tradition of the finest wine making, your next tipple will never be the same.
Explore Europe exclusively by train and tick off many countries along the way
Forget long bus rides. Travelling Europe by train provides a seamless, scenic experience like no other. Whether you’re starting from London or Berlin, and heading to Budapest or Barcelona, Contiki’s train trips are packed full of good times and walking tours, so don’t worry about not getting your steps in!
From stopping by in France to make your own perfume on the London to Budapest route, to hikes in Italy and cooking classes in Spain on the Rome to Barcelona trek, once you go train tracks, it’s hard to go back.
Look, we tried to make that sentence poetic.
White water rafting in Austria
Adventurers and even non-adventurers: the hills may be alive with the sound of music in Austria, and the rivers are also alive with the sounds of your joyous screams as you white water raft your way through the Austrian Alps.
We know it may sound scary, but it truly is an experience like no other. You’ll be suited up, briefed by expert guides, and ready to tackle the river in no time, so it’s safety first, and thrilling views second.
Image source: Contiki
And canyon swing in Grindelwald, Switzerland
How many times in life can you say that you headed to the top of Europe, visited the picture-perfect Jungfrau mountain, and then enjoyed a canyon swing in the mountains.
This is your sign to be that person who never got over their Europe trip at a house party.
Go dogsledding with huskies in Norway
Arctic experiences are like no other: from ice-cold plunges, to sweating out your trauma in a sauna, to spotting humpback whales and sea orcas… and let’s not forget catching the elusive Northern Lights. There’s so much to see and do!
But one underrated gem of our Norway trips are the very cute and surreal experience of dog sledding through the breathtaking snow-covered landscapes and frozen fjords. The thrilling journey through the forest led by handsome huskies will be the closest you ever get to your childish wish of being a Twilight vampire.
Buggy adventure in Portugal
After sunning yourself, taking beautiful photos of pastel-coloured streets and devouring seafood in The Algarve, it’ll be time to kick things up a notch.
From mountain tracks and rocky paths to gravel roads, you’ll get the thrill of driving a buggy on a range of terrains on the coastline of Portugal, while being surrounded by amazing scenery. You in?
Canoeing on the Loch Ness (and let us know if you spot Nessie!)
After cruising along the Loch Ness with your Contiki crew, get even more acquainted with the stunning views with a canoeing or kayaking adventure.
The kayak of a lifetime will kick off at the picturesque Fort Augustus with a short paddling guided tour along the southern shore of Loch Ness in Canadian-style canoes, before exploring the mouth of the River Oich. Keep an eye out for otters, deer, White-Tailed Eagles and the odd jumping fish!
Image source: Contiki
Hike Truso Gorge and visit Martvili Canyon in Georgia
Georgia is one of Europe’s most underrated gems and we want to take you there! If you’re keen for an off-the-grid adventure, Contiki’s 10-day Georgia trip will take you on dreamy hikes past crumbling towers, have you gliding down crystal clear waters and admiring epic waterfalls, wine-tasting with locals, and travelling by 4×4 to the highest permanently settled village in Europe.
And of course if you’re coming with Contiki, there’s always the option to stay in Contiki’s exclusive Chateau in France!
Did you know Contiki owns a 16th-century castle that’s used exclusively for our travellers?
Set within the rolling hills of the Beaujolais wine region, the legendary Contiki Château stay has enabled decades of countless golden summers. Want to experience strolling through vineyards, dips in the pool with your new mates and feasting on local delicacies? It could be all yours and more this Euro summer!
Want to share your very own Contiki experiences with us? Apply to write for six-two here.
