London to Athens with Greek Island Hopping

Visit Europe

HIGHLIGHTS:

London - Paris - Lyon - Barcelona - French Riviera via Arles - French Riviera and Monaco - French Riviera - Venice - Florence via Pisa Venice we love you - Florence - Rome - Overnight Adriatic Ferry - Athens - End Athens - Mykonos - Paros - Santorini - Ios

Day 1 London to Paris.

Welcome to the first day of the best trip of your life - we're calling it early! After a few pleasantries in London we'll get the show on the road with Paris in our sights. A few hours in and your jaws are on the floor already. These chalk cliffs that edge the English coastline are known as the White Cliffs of Dover, the first of many natural beauties we'll see on our trip. After we ferry across the English Channel for France we'll arrive in Calais, where we will take in the history of World War I battlefields in the Valley of the Somme. We'll kick off our trip as we arrive in the glittering city of love, Paris. To start things off, we'll bond with our Contiki fam with a delicious included dinner, followed by a guided tour of the Montparnasse Tower and then a guided tour of the city itself.

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 crepes, or get artsy at 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 Sacre-Ceuur 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!

Day 3 Paris to Lyon.

This morning we'll have breakfast and then be on our merry way to the next stop: time for lovely lovely Lyon. Blue skies and sultry red roofs - oh yeah, we're in Lyon! Tonight you're free to wander this historical and architectural haven with your Contiki crew.

Day 4 Lyon.

Today you'll have a full day to explore France's second-largest city. Don't miss the Notre Dame Basilica & St Jean Baptiste Cathedral, the ancient outdoor theatres inspired by the Romans and of course, the museums! If you need a rest, you can't beat a stroll (or a nap) in the Parc de la Tete d'Or. Need something to eat? Well, we can confirm you're in the right place.

Day 5 Lyon to Barcelona.

We'll head to Barcelona bright and early this morning but not until after breakfast. Welcome to Espana! Known for its chilled-out vibes, welcoming atmosphere and culture of acceptance and tolerance, there's nowhere quite like Barcelona. Tonight you're free to explore and check out the city's many exceptional eateries.

Day 6 Barcelona.

Cobbled lanes of the Gothic Quarter, Montjuic hilltop vistas, & wild Spanish architecture will season our day to perfection. There's plenty of free time to roam free or take a dip in the Mediterranean sea, just don't tire yourself out - chances are you'll want to partake in the evening of Flamenco fun.

Day 7 Barcelona to French Riviera via Arles.

As smitten as we are by Barcelona, we have more of Europe to conquer. Much, much more. After a dreamy drive across the border into France through landscapes of lavender, sunflowers and wild herbs, we'll arrive at our lunch break town of Arles. Here we will get a peek at an ancient Roman Arena and at a typical provincial French town. You're not a real celebrity until you've frolicked on the French Riviera, and who are we to keep you off the A-List? Sapphire waters & endless glamour as we roll through this glitzy coastline.

Day 8 French Riviera and Monaco.

Missing an opportunity to see this part of the world up close and personal would be criminal. Speaking of things you shouldn't miss, this region is famous for lavender honey, aioli & rose wine; all 3 in one meal should be your mission. Please tell us you didn't throw away all of your pennies today? Because you're going to want a few spare coins tonight so you can play fancy. We're visiting Monaco tonight, and you'll have the chance to visit the Monte Carlo Casino & the Royal Palace, followed by a delicious optional dinner! After a night on the blackjack table it's back to the coast and to bed, the next part of the adventure starts tomorrow.

Day 9 French Riviera to Venice.

Today we say our farewells to the French Riviera and take our first jaunt into Italy, taking in the sights of Liguria, Lombardia, & the Veneto regions along the way. Pizza, pasta, & charming locals are just around the corner. But before we cross the border into Italy, we'll make a fragrant pitstop here in Eze to visit a traditional French perfumery - where you'll even have the chance to craft a signature scent of your own. The floating city of gondolas, canals and pretty bridges - what a splendid way to commence our Italian love affair. Rest up tonight, you'll want to be alert for tomorrow's magical agenda.

Day 10 Venice.

Wake-up sleeping beauties! Venice is yours for the entirety of this glorious Italian day. We'll be jumping aboard our own private boat and hitting the canals en route to the historical heart of the city. A trip to the colourful Venetian island of Burano and a gondola ride are up for grabs or you can just get lost on your own and see where the magical maze takes you.

Day 11 Venice to Florence via Pisa Venice we love you, but we need to see a bit more of this boot to satisfy our hungry wanderlust ways.

As if we were going to leg it from Venice to Florence without a sneaky side trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Depriving you of the chance to perfect the holding-up-the-tower shot would be down right criminal. For those of you not familiar with the whole Florence deal, we have two words for you: it's heaven. Potter along the River Arno, be totally Tuscan with a drop of Chianti wine, and take in the beauty of the city and its protruding Duomo.

Day 12 Florence.

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 13 Florence to Rome.

Farewell Florence - today we have the epicentre of Italy on our horizons. Pizza, piazzas...we're coming in hot. But not before one rather extraordinary stop-off. En-route to Rome, we'll visit Casale Polegri - an organic Umbrian farm where we'll feast on local pasta, olives, wine and more fresh local produce. And here we are. Back city side in the Italian capital of Rome. After a brief orientation tour from your Trip Manager, you're free to check out the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon & Piazza Navona with your Contiki crew.

Day 14 Rome.

When in Rome This is the day to learn a thing or two about the Colosseum & do a bit of your own exploring. Espressos and people watching should be high priority. When in Rome...take an optional guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel. Religious or not, the Vatican's Italian Renaissance church will send shivers down your spine. Stuck for something to do this evening? There's plenty of pasta, gelato and caprese salad stops to keep you occupied - and don't get us started on the wine.

Day 15 Rome to Overnight Adriatic Ferry.

As completely satisfied as we already are with our Italian odyssey, we have one more stop before we're a walking talking guidebook on this beautiful boot. Goodbye Rome, hello Pompeii. Once a totally vibing hang-out of the Romans, Pompeii is now an archaeological site showing remains of what was destroyed in the year...wait for it...79AD. When you choose the optional guided tour saying "stepping back in time" is about to take on a whole new meaning! We'll hop aboard our Overnight Adriatic Ferry and set sail. Although we don't arrive in Athens tonight, it's in our sight! Drift off to sleep to the sway of our boat knowing tomorrow you'll wake in a brand new country.

Day 16 Overnight Adriatic Ferry to Athens.

Ahoy there, we'll be sailing the Adriatic this morning headed for land. We'll roll off the boat in Patras and then it's straight back on the road. The awe of Greece's mainland will begin shortly after our arrival as we catch a glimpse of Corinth Canal. This man-made passageway squeezes boats through its path, sandwiched by two steep cliffs and sitting over gloriously blue ocean. A collage of ancient wonders and modern magnificence, the allure of Athens is hard to dismiss. Choose to sample more traditional Greek food with an optional dinner with your new friends in this ancient city.

Day 17 End Athens.

Today marks the transition from city trip to island hopping adventure - but not until we've had our ancient history fix in Athens. Starting off with a guided tour, we'll check out the Parthenon, the Acropolis and the OG Olympic stadium (oh yeah). After checking into our hotel in the evening, we'll greet some new crew members and the Trip Manager will run through all the awesomeness you can expect on the next leg of the journey. After that, you're free to explore Athens with your crew, sampling the food and nightlife to your heart's content.

Day 18 Athens.

Let's do this! Two nights on the island of Mykonos, how did we get so lucky? Even the boat ride across the Aegean will have you awe struck and in love. Tonight, you'll have the option to join an exploration of Mykonos by night on a locally guided walking tour of the town's cobbled streets.

Day 19 Mykonos.

Get ready for a day full of viewing coastal windmills, stuffing your face with olives, feta, and tzatziki. We'll stroll down storybook streets dotted with those gorgeous blue domes and we'll pick up some evil eye ornaments along the way to keep the bad vibes away. And this is all before you've even taken a dip in the ocean! Doesn't get much better than this... The day is yours to soak up the sunshine and play in the sea.

Day 20 Mykonos.

This morning we're on to our next Greek island, Paros. Let's spare a thought for all those travellers who only get to visit just one Greek Island, and then remember how lucky we are. Beaches, naturally sculpted swimming coves, a Byzantine church and traditional villages: we must be in Paros. You're free to get into the sun and sea vibes. Those who feel like exploring can sign up for an optional trip to a traditional village where you'll visit a local family-run bakery and shop the local handicrafts.

Day 21 Paros.

Another day, another Greek Island delight. Hold tight - today we're off for a visit to Naoussa, a fishing village with colourful fishing boats and white-washed houses. Tonight, we'll tuck into an included dinner at a local restaurant, before heading out to sample the local nightlife.

Day 22 Paros.

Paros, it's been magical - but today we're taking to the seas again, this time in search of Greece's most insta-famous island. Santorini, we have arrived! Tonight you'll have the chance to explore this magical Island and roam the cobbled streets.

Day 23 Santorini.

Rise and shine, Greek Island travellers! The island of Santorini won't explore itself. Today is your day to take a swim at Perissa Beach, eat the local specialty of fried tomato balls known as domatokeftedes, or roam and explore. You can even opt to take a visit to incredible Oia followed by a visit to the black sand beach of Santorini.

Day 24 Santorini.

A bit more rugged and remote than Santorini and Mykonos, Ios will prove a nice change of scenery for our final Island night. And thankfully, there will be no change in the good vibes or the time spent ocean side. We'll join together for an included dinner tonight, with another free evening on the cards afterwards.

Day 25 Ios.

Our final Island day, and your last chance to soak up the Greek sun and frolic in the sand without a care in the world. Now is your chance to get some adrenaline in with a speedboat safari, or take a leisurely stroll around the pretty village of Ios Chora and enjoy some stuffed zucchini flowers or baked feta drizzled with olive oil at a local cafe. It's a free evening tonight, so you're going to need the fuel if you want to hit the party scene of Hora until the break of dawn.

Day 26 Ios.

While choking back the tears and waving a sad goodbye to the dreamy islands of Greece, try to think positive thoughts: we have a boat ride to enjoy this morning, as well as one more night together in the city of Athens. Ready for one more dose of Athens and one last chance to hang out together? We'll soak up the last rays of the Mediterranean sun this afternoon before an optional farewell dinner together.

Day 27 Athens.

And just like that, it's time for the goodbyes. As sad as they are, at least you have the memories. And another 300 Contiki trips to jump aboard! Make the most of your last free breakfast before you kick on to your next port of call.

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