European Whirl | Plus | Start Amsterdam | Summer 2026
European Whirl | Plus | Start Amsterdam | Summer 2026
European Whirl | Plus | Start Amsterdam | Summer 2026
19 Days Starting in Amsterdam, Netherlands and ending in London, United Kingdom
Visiting: Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Munich, Austrian Tyrol, Venice, Rome, Florence, Lucerne, Paris, London
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BBAPE26
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey with the European Whirl tour, starting in vibrant Amsterdam and concluding in iconic London. This summer 2026 adventure takes you through nine captivating countries, including Holland, France, Germany, and Italy, offering a rich tapestry of experiences. Travel in style with coach transfers and a scenic ferry ride from Dover to Calais. Enjoy guided tours in cities like Berlin, Prague, and Rome, and indulge in unique activities such as a gondola ride in Venice and a visit to a Bavarian beer hall in Munich. Stay in comfortable accommodations and savor 18 breakfasts and 5 dinners. Highlights include a meaningful dinner at Kreuzberger Himmel in Berlin, supporting refugee integration. With optional activities like paragliding in the Austrian Tyrol and a cruise on Lake Lucerne, this tour promises a perfect blend of culture, history, and adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: London To Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam
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 you're free to explore or hit the local bars.
Day 2: Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam
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: Berlin
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 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: Prague
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 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: Munich
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. But there's no need to shed tears just yet, we're heading to somewhere even more exciting! 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. Maybe right after you’ve toured the city on two wheels?
Day 8: Munich To Austrian Tyrol Via Dachau
Location: Austrian Tyrol
Accommodation Name: Contiki Haus Schoneck (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
With no time to waste, we'll make our way to Austria this morning. We'll make a stop 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. Ahhh, cool breeze on sun-kissed skin... we must be in the Austrian Tyrol. Before we reach our final stop for the evening, you'll have the chance to zip through the icy waters while white-water rafting. Afterwards, we'll continue on to Hopfgarten where a delicious welcome dinner awaits. When it comes to hitting the hay tonight, you'll sleep in a same-sex multi-share with up to 5 other travellers.
Day 9: Austrian Tyrol
Location: Austrian Tyrol
Accommodation Name: Contiki Haus Schoneck (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A free day? In Austria? With epic Alpine views? It must be your lucky day… You have the chance to ride a bike through the valleys and enjoy a BBQ lunch. Or even better, paraglide over them. (Whee!)
Day 10: Austrian Tyrol To Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation Name: LH Hotel Sirio Venice (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hopfgarten, you’ve been incredible. But a very special place awaits us this afternoon. And just like that, we're in a new country and a whole new vibe. Fresh pasta, lilting accents & romantic architecture - we've arrived in one of Italy's most famous cities. And what better way to explore than a Gondola ride? Plus, you have the chance to visit Venice’s most famous restaurants! This is what La Dolce Vita must be all about...
Day 11: Venice To Rome
Location: Rome
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
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. 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: Florence
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. We’ll stop off to visit a gorgeous 16th Century villa that’s now a working winery. We’ll check out the old cellar, and even sample some Chianti wine for ourselves – with antipasti too of course. Rude not to, right? 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 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: Lucerne
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 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, 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: Paris
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 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 with dinner.
Day 19: Paris To London
Location: 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
-
Meals
The tour includes 5 dinners and 18 breakfasts.
-
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at various hotels including Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside, Ibis Berlin Messe, Ibis Praha Wenceslas Square Hotel, Holiday Inn Express Munich City West, Contiki Haus Schoneck, LH Hotel Sirio Venice, Hotel Santa Costanza, BB Giustizia, Ibis Budget Luzern City, and Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel.
-
Transportation
Transportation includes a ferry from Dover to Calais and coach transfers between cities.
-
Guided Tours
Guided tours are provided in various cities including Berlin, Prague, Florence, and Rome.
-
Activities
Activities include a gondola ride in Venice, a visit to a traditional Bavarian beer hall in Munich, and a visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.
What's Not Included
-
Non-included Attractions
Tickets for non-included attractions in Amsterdam should be booked between 12-3 PM to avoid missing other activities or coach transfers.
-
Optional Activities
Optional activities such as paragliding in Austrian Tyrol, a visit to the top of Mt.
Pilatus, and a cruise across Lake Lucerne are not included. -
Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
-
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be arranged separately.
Dining Summary
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 18 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
- London: Can I share a room with my partner on this trip? 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.
- London: Can I share a room with my partner on this trip? Yep. If you’re booking a twin room as a couple, you’ll be roomed together.
- London: Travelling to (and through) the UK & Northern Ireland? You’ll need Essential Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)From January 8, 2025, UK law means that if you’re entering/transiting through the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland you’ll need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you travel. Confused? Don’t be – just read on here.
- London: What currency do I need? For this trip, we recommend that you carry the British Pound, Euro, Czech Koruna, Swiss Franc. (It’s a coin collector's dream!)
- London: How do I know when to book tickets for non-included attractions in Amsterdam? This trip includes plenty of interesting Free Time Add-Ons in Amsterdam. So if you’re planning to do any other activity, and looking to book in advance - it’s best to book your tickets between 12-3PM. Of course, you can always book any other time (we’re all about freedom to explore!). But make sure you don’t miss the other activities, or a coach transfer to the accommodation!
Included Experience
- Dover: See the iconic chalk-white coastline. So special that it’s had songs dedicated to it.
- Berlin: Get your culture on. It’s time to see Tiergarten, Alexanderplatz, the Russian War Memorial, Brandenburg Gate and the historic Reichstag building.
- Berlin: Heads up culture vultures. Here’s your chance to check out the longest open-air gallery in the world.
- Berlin: Join us for dinner at Kreuzberger Himmel in Berlin, where Middle Eastern cuisine (think: delicious plant-based eats) is served by a diverse staff of refugees to help foster integration & solidarity.
- Dresden: See the Baroque architecture that was rebuilt after the WWII bombings. Royal Residence, Zwinger Palace, Opera House and Frauenkirche.
- Prague: Walk through the winding cobbled streets and head up into the fairytale-like Castle District for panoramic city views.
- Munich: We'll make a stop at a traditional Bavarian ‘Bier Halle’. Grab your Contiki crew and a beer. Prost!
- Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site: Take a somber but impactful visit to the site of a World War II concentration camp in Munich.
- Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice.
- Venice: Life’s all about the waterways here; there’s not an Uber in sight! Get some classic pics of the famous gondola boats.
- Rome: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking off some sights on your bucket list!
- Florence: Live out all your sundrenched Tuscan dreams as you tour this 16th Century winery. Then treat yourself to some Chianti and antipasto.
- Florence: See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria on a locally guided walking tour of Florence.
- Pisa: Your ultimate chance to ‘hold the tower up’ as you pose for that classic Insta snap.
- Lucerne: Check out the Wooden Chapel Bridge and the giant sandstone Lion Monument.
- 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.
- Paris: Climb to the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower for an unbeatable vista of the ‘City of Light’.
- Paris: Your chance to learn the art of fragrance at a Parisian perfume house. You know it makes scents! (soz).
Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of transportation is included in the tour?
The tour includes coach transfers between cities and a ferry ride from Dover to Calais, ensuring a smooth and scenic journey across Europe.
-
What types of meals are provided during the tour?
The tour includes 5 dinners and 18 breakfasts, providing a mix of meals throughout the journey.
-
Are there any guided tours included in the itinerary?
Yes, guided tours are provided in various cities including Berlin, Prague, Florence, and Rome.
-
What kind of activities can participants expect during the tour?
Activities include a gondola ride in Venice, a visit to a traditional Bavarian beer hall in Munich, and a visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.
-
Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
No, travel insurance is not included and should be arranged separately by the participants.
-
What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
Accommodation is provided at various hotels including Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside, Ibis Berlin Messe, Ibis Praha Wenceslas Square Hotel, Holiday Inn Express Munich City West, Contiki Haus Schoneck, LH Hotel Sirio Venice, Hotel Santa Costanza, BB Giustizia, Ibis Budget Luzern City, and Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel.
-
Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, optional activities such as paragliding in Austrian Tyrol, a visit to the top of Mt. Pilatus, and a cruise across Lake Lucerne are available but not included in the tour package.
-
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.
-
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.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
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.
-
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.
Reviews of this operator
Save on this tour
Request your exclusive discount code now and unlock savings for your next adventure!
Send me one now.1 Select your preferred date
Sunday - Thursday
Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 24, 2025Sunday - Thursday
Apr 27, 2025 - May 15, 2025Sunday - Thursday
May 18, 2025 - Jun 05, 2025Sunday - Thursday
Jun 01, 2025 - Jun 19, 2025Sunday - Thursday
Jun 15, 2025 - Jul 03, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Jun 24, 2025 - Jul 12, 2025Sunday - Thursday
Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025Sunday - Thursday
Jul 27, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025Sunday - Thursday
Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Sep 16, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025Sunday - Thursday
Apr 05, 2026 - Apr 23, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Apr 26, 2026 - May 14, 2026Sunday - Thursday
May 17, 2026 - Jun 04, 2026Sunday - Thursday
May 31, 2026 - Jun 18, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Jun 14, 2026 - Jul 02, 2026Tuesday - Saturday
Jun 23, 2026 - Jul 11, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Jul 05, 2026 - Jul 23, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Jul 19, 2026 - Aug 06, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Aug 16, 2026 - Sep 03, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Sep 06, 2026 - Sep 24, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Sep 20, 2026 - Oct 08, 2026Book with Confidence
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.