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European Highlights | Gap Year 18-22 | Start Paris | 2026
European Highlights | Gap Year 18-22 | Start Paris | 2026
ATTENTION: Our system has identified that the title of this tour refers to a different length than the correct tour length. This is likely a discrepancy coming over to us from the tour company. Please see the "LENGTH" value listed below as well as the details in the "Tour Itinerary" tab below for the correct length.
Length
14 Days
Quality
This indicates the overall quality of the tour operator's products. A low rating does not mean it is not good - it just means that it does not include as much, or perhaps is of a more standard quality than the higher quality tours. For example, a 3 star quality rating means that it is a more standard/economical tour, while 5 stars is a very luxurious tour that often includes a lot of amenities.
Starts in
Paris (France)
Ends in
London (England)
Available Tour Start Dates
JUN 6, 2026 to AUG 13, 2026 These are the tour start dates for instances of this tour that were available the last time Contiki sent us such information. There may be other departures for this tour that are not available (i.e. sold out or cancelled).
Activity Level
No Rating Provided These are tours that the vendor has not electronically communicated an activity level for. Contact us if you would like to know the activity level for any of these tours.
Language
English
Guaranteed Date(s)
Yes means that there is at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur. No means that there is not at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur, which usually means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on each tour in order for each one to occur. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).
Yes
Special Interest(s)
18-to-Thirtysomethings
Contiki tours are only available for 18- to 35-year olds.
, Gap Year Trips (Ages 18-22)
From
Pricing listed is per person, based on multi-share, and is the least expensive price for at least one departure date of this tour. Price is for the tour only. Additional items, including but not limited to, airfare (unless noted otherwise), travel insurance, and more, are additional.
$2,001.60
Available
Contact Us for a Special Price!
Overview
This trip delivers a highlight reel of European beauty, history, culture, and food over two unforgettable weeks. The perfect loop that will see and your fellow Gap Year-goers gawping at the glittering lights of Paris one moment to gliding through Venetian canals the next. Oh, and did we mention the French Riviera and a stay at Contiki's legendary private chateau? This European highlights tour has twinkling cities, lush vineyards, and enough culture to fill a thousand journals - it truly has it all.
Visited During Tour
Amsterdam (Netherlands) | Beaujolais Wine Region (France) | Calais (France) | Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site (Germany) | Dover (England) | Edam (Netherlands) | Florence (Tuscany, Italy) | Fontainebleau (France) | French Riviera | London (England) | Monaco City (Monaco) | Munich (Germany) | Paris (France) | Pisa (Tuscany, Italy) | Rome (Italy) | Sankt Goar (Germany) | Tyrol (Austria) | Venice (Italy)
Dates, Offers & Prices
Tour Itinerary
More Details
Dates, Offers & Prices
The following are European Highlights | Gap Year 18-22 | Start Paris | 2026 tour dates available from Contiki. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
Pricing Type: Multi-Share
Pricing is per person, based on multiple people per reservation
Start Date
End Date
Bonus Offers
From
Pricing listed is per person, based
on multi-share, and is the least expensive price available on
this tour date. Price is for the tour only, unless noted otherwise. Additional items,
including but not limited to, airfare, travel insurance, and more, are additional.
Guaranteed?
Yes means that that the vendor guarantees that tour date will occur.
No means that the vendor does not guarantee the tour will occur on that date, which usually
means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on that date in order to
confirm it. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to
cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).
ThursdayAug 13, 2026
WednesdayAug 26, 2026
Exclusive Rates on all Contiki Tours!
Exclusive Rates on all Contiki Tours!
Book any Contiki tour with us and you'll get the best deal possible!
Available for new bookings made starting 10/21/20. Subject to expire without advanced notice.
Bonus Offers are not combinable,
unless noted otherwise. Pricing may already reflect the
application of any applicable promotions. Additional
restrictions apply. Certain terms and conditions apply to
each offer. Additional restrictions apply. We reserve the
right to correct errors.
No Booking Fees!
No Booking Fees!
We do not charge booking fees on any Contiki vacations.
You're sure to enjoy an affordable Contiki tour package when booking with us!
Available for new bookings made starting 10/21/20. Subject to expire without advanced notice.
Bonus Offers are not combinable,
unless noted otherwise. Pricing may already reflect the
application of any applicable promotions. Additional
restrictions apply. Certain terms and conditions apply to
each offer. Additional restrictions apply. We reserve the
right to correct errors.
$2,001.60
No
(Departure #20260813)
SaturdayJun 6, 2026
FridayJun 19, 2026
Exclusive Rates on all Contiki Tours!
Exclusive Rates on all Contiki Tours!
Book any Contiki tour with us and you'll get the best deal possible!
Available for new bookings made starting 10/21/20. Subject to expire without advanced notice.
Bonus Offers are not combinable,
unless noted otherwise. Pricing may already reflect the
application of any applicable promotions. Additional
restrictions apply. Certain terms and conditions apply to
each offer. Additional restrictions apply. We reserve the
right to correct errors.
No Booking Fees!
No Booking Fees!
We do not charge booking fees on any Contiki vacations.
You're sure to enjoy an affordable Contiki tour package when booking with us!
Available for new bookings made starting 10/21/20. Subject to expire without advanced notice.
Bonus Offers are not combinable,
unless noted otherwise. Pricing may already reflect the
application of any applicable promotions. Additional
restrictions apply. Certain terms and conditions apply to
each offer. Additional restrictions apply. We reserve the
right to correct errors.
$2,107.20
Yes
(Departure #20260606)
Tour Itinerary
Note: The version of the tour that is currently selected (via the "Select Season" options above) will be in the reverse order of what is listed below. Please select a different version of this tour above (that doesn't indicate "Reverse") if you'd prefer the tour in the order listed below.
European Highlights | Gap Year 18-22 | Start Paris | 2026
Contiki Tour Code 9-2531
Day 1
London to Paris
Join forces in London & get to know the wolf pack you're about to take on Europe with. We'll hit the road this morning and make tracks for two weeks of adventure. 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 will travel via World War I battlefields in the Valley of the Somme, before reaching... Paris! Pop the champagne, dial up the romance, & pass the escargot - we're in Paris, baby! Don't waste a second unpacking, we're going to hit the streets and see how this city comes alive by night.
Meals Included:
Dinner
Accommodations:Jo&Joe Gentilly (or similar)
Day 2
Paris
Today's the day to stroll the beautiful streets of Paris, with plenty of time to lust over designer haute couture or French vintage stores, admire the Notre Dame Cathedral, order coffee and crêpes, or get artsy at the many museums of the Louvre. Tonight, foodies will have the chance to eat a Parisian feast in Montmartre, surrounded by cobbled lanes, village-esque cafes, street artists and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Otherwise, this is your night to sign up for an iconic Parisian cabaret show. Either option will give you the perfect way to make it one to remember!
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Jo&Joe Gentilly (or similar)
Day 3
Paris to Beaujolais Wine Region via Fontainebleau
Farewell French capital! We're off in search of charming countryside & legit, straight from the source, vino. With its medieval stature and grand surrounding ponds, Château Fontainebleau will take your breath away. We'll amble around the gardens then recommence our scenic journey to Beaujolais. Tonight's the night we camp out at Contiki’s very own 16th century château. We say "camp" - LOL. This might be the most royal experience of your life. Wine tasting at the château’s working winery is just one of the ways we'll kill time while we're here. Please note: On occasion, certain departures will be moved from Contiki’s Chateau de Cruix to the French gastronomic capital of Lyon (a title which ain’t given lightly, believe us!) We’ll get the party started with an included meal at a local restaurant, accompanied by local wine.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodations:Château de Cruix (or similar)
Day 4
Beaujolais Wine Region to French Riviera
Missing an opportunity to see this glorious part of the world up close and personal would be criminal. Speaking of things you shouldn't miss on your European Highlights tour, this region is famous for lavender honey, aioli & rosé wine; all 3 in one meal should be your mission.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Beach Hostel (or similar)
Day 5
French Riviera (Including Monaco City)
This morning we'll take in the crystal blue waters of the Riviera, cobble stone streets and charming markets! Later we take a scenic drive along the Côte d'Azur as we make our way to the heart of it all, Monaco. A night in glamorous Monaco should complete your day slash life. Don a fancy necklace and pop a plum in your mouth - we're about to embark on the lifestyle of the rich and the famous. After a night on the blackjack table it's back to the coast and to bed, the next part of the adventure starts tomorrow.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Beach Hostel (or similar)
Day 6
French Riviera to Florence via Pisa
After almost a week in France you'll be full to the brim with all things French and ready for new ground. Italy, perhaps? No trip around Europe is complete without seeing the world's most famous #AwkwardLean, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Once you've got that perfect snap of you holding the thing up like you're Arnold Schwarzenegger, we'll be on the fast-track to Florence. The dome of Duomo Cathedral sits above the city making certain we know we have arrived in Florence. Tonight you can choose to begin your Tuscan love affair at a Free Time Add-On dinner - think olives, pastas, focaccia, meats & wine.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Hotel Mirage (or similar)
Day 7
Florence to Rome
This morning is a perfect balance of guided wisdom and free time to roam. We'll uncover the beautiful art of traditional leather & explore streets bursting with heritage before eventually hitting the road for Rome. And you thought your morning was interesting! The afternoon will really take it up a notch as we uncover Italian icons in the country's capital of Rome as you get a glimpse of its glory by night. Gelato, pizza and ancient monuments - perfecto!
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Hostel Trustever (or similar)
Day 8
Rome
Rise and shine, Rome awaits us! Today will be a whirlwind of Roman architecture and bucket list sights as we uncover all of Rome’s key features. There’s also the option to head back in time and discover Rome of the Emperors and Gladiators.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Hostel Trustever (or similar)
Day 9
Rome to Venice
We may be hitting the road again, but we're not done with Italy just yet. We have one more city to lust over... Venice is yours for this glorious Italian afternoon. We'll be jumping aboard our own private boat and hitting the canals en route to the historical heart of the city. A gondola ride is up for grabs, or you can always choose to get lost on your own and see where the maze takes you.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Anda Venice Hostel (or similar)
Day 10
Venice to Munich via Tyrol
Confident we have ticked off all the Italian essentials, we can now leg it to Germany. After all the sophistication and glamour of France and Italy, a few beers and the chance to wear Bavarian suspenders will be precisely what we feel like. Wind through the Austrian Alps to lively Munich. Bavarian culture, a famous Glockenspiel and charm aplenty; Munich doesn't just turn it on during Oktoberfest! Explore peaceful gardens and legendary beer halls or join in the bike tour and explore the side streets you wouldn't usually see.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Ramada Encore by Wyndham Munich Messe (or similar)
Day 11
Munich to Rhine Valley via Dachau
Today it’s goodbye Munich, hello wine country. But first, we have an important stop to make. Journeying out of Munich, we'll make a stop at Dachau 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 to the Rhine Valley. After the scenic journey of fairytale castles, vineyards and valleys, you'll be charmed before we even arrive in Germany's famous Rhine Valley. This back-in-time town is our wine tasting host for the evening.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodations:Hotel Montag Sankt Goar (or similar)
Day 12
Rhine Valley to Amsterdam via Edam
This morning we'll drag you all away from Germany kicking and screaming that you want to stay forever. Only to see you equally infatuated with another dot on the European map hours later... You know the cheese, and now you're going to know the place that pioneered it. We'll cycle into the countryside admiring windmills in Edam. Pretty canals lined with quaint crooked houses and cafes bursting with life. Amsterdam is all that and way more than what you could ever imagine. This evening, opt to take the A'DAM lookout swing, an incredible observation deck with unrivalled panoramas of the twisting canals below.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodations:Via Hostel Amsterdam (or similar)
Day 13
Amsterdam
It's our last full day on trip & our last night to party up a storm with the squad. Use the day to explore quirky museums & sample the endless array of cuisines this city has on offer. The best way to say farewell to this gorgeous city? Enjoy a delicious dinner with your Contiki fam at a Dutch farm followed by a classic Amsterdam canal cruise.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Via Hostel Amsterdam (or similar)
Day 14
Amsterdam to London
Down your breakfast and wipe away your tears - this is always the worst day of the trip. We'll escort you to Schiphol Airport by about 10am for those leaving us in the canal lined city. For those not leaving us until London, we'll travel south through Belgium, then cross into France to Calais. We'll make our way back to London-town, where you'll be left to start dreaming up your next big adventure. This concludes your 14-day trip to Europe. What a journey! Say a fond farewell to the group as you wrap up the trip on arrival in London.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
More Details
Contiki is informing us of the following additional details regarding their European Highlights | Gap Year 18-22 | Start Paris | 2026 tour:
Travelers Notes
* EXCLUSIVE AGE: This trip is an exclusive departure for travellers aged between 18 - 22 years old. For travellers outside this age range (23- 25) we recommend booking one of Contiki's other trip departures. * DAY 1: Trip starts in Paris at 18:00. Complimentary arrival transfers from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) are not available on the first day of the tour. Travellers must arrange their own transfers. * DAY 14: Trip ends in Amsterdam at 10:00 or London at 18:30. Complimentary departure transfers arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) at 10:00 on the last day of the tour. It is not recommended to book flights prior to 13:00. Travellers ending in London to depart from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) or London Gatwick Airport (LGW). It is not recommended to book flights departing on the last day of the trip. Post night is recommended in London. * NOTE: A towel is required on this trip. Please note our multi-share rooms accommodate a maximum of 6 people of the same gender on this trip. For your pre- trip accommodation in Paris or post-trip accommodation in Amsterdam, rooms are designed to accommodate up to 6 people, just like on trip. Please note that you may be sharing with other travellers who are not part of Contiki groups, in mixed-gender dorms.
Meals Included
Pricing listed above for tours is per person, in US Dollars, and is based on multi-share. Pricing may change for other occupancy types. Pricing is based on the last time the vendor electronically sent us pricing data, which varies by vendor (usually occurs overnight or multiple times throughout each day).
Pricing and availability are subject to change and must be confirmed by one of our travel advisors, who can contact the vendor to do so. Intra-vacation air (also referred to as internal air) is usually based on economy class seating (do not assume otherwise, unless explicity noted otherwise) and may be 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. Air quotes (including intra-vacation airfare) may be subject to change until final payment has been received by the vendor. Flight confirmation may be based on availability. Air reservations may not be able to be confirmed until a passport copy is received by the vendor. The following charges are not included in the vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee, passenger facility charges, Federal domestic flight segment fees, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature. Itinerary details are provided by the vendor. Vendors may reserve the right to change itineraries, even on existing reservations. There may be instances where the name of a tour contains a tour length in it, but where there is a version of the tour that is a different number of days in length. You can check the true length of a tour by referring to the length value listed in association with that tour. Destination images displayed on this web page, some which are supplied by the related vendor and some which are not, are intended to simply give a general representation of the region of the world being visited during the tour. Such images are not necessarily of the exact areas being visited during the tour. Hotel details (including, but not limited to: rating/class, descriptions, images, amenities and addresses) are provided by Contiki. Hotel amenities may be communicated in shorthand by Contiki (for example, if "Laundry" is listed that may only mean that the hotel has an optional fee-based service that would allow for your laundry to be done by their staff). We reserve the right to correct errors.
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