Embrace the magic of January 2001 with over 2,000 specially curated tours across Europe. From snow-capped mountains to cozy cultural experiences, discover winter's unique charm through 16,100 traveler stories.
Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
This trip was exactly what I needed. After years of family holidays and work trips, doing something like this — just me, my wife, a car, and no daily schedule, felt like a throwback to how we used to travel.
The best part? We weren’t herded around or stuck waiting for a big group. We just got in the car and drove. Some days we were super active, other days we just wandered and sat in cafes.
Croatia’s charm is obvious, but Slovenia really caught us off guard. The nature is pristine, the towns feel like no less than a fairytale, and even the touristy places don’t feel overwhelming. Also, it’s worth saying the roads were great, parking wasn’t a nightmare, and the car rental process was straightforward. That stuff matters when you’re not 25 anymore.
If you want a bit of culture, nature, good food, and a proper break from the usual routine this is your tour. We’re already talking about doing another self-drive next year. Portugal, maybe?
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
The Barcelona to London Quest is an 18-day city sightseeing adventure that connects the Mediterranean’s warmth with Northern Europe’s urban energy. Ideal for young adults, this group trip starts in vibrant Barcelona, weaves through Florence, Prague, Amsterdam, and more, and culminates in cosmopolitan London. Each leg offers a new blend of seaside relaxation and city buzz, balancing famous landmarks with lesser-known gems. With accommodation, transport, meals, and a sociable group dynamic included, this tour is designed for those who crave variety and spontaneity. The special highlight? The perfect fusion of coastal charm and urban exploration, ensuring every traveler finds their perfect European moment.
I wanted more of Austria, both the travel manager and bus driver were awesome! I think a little less time in Venice as it got a bit boring after 6 hours.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel, Villa
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
London, Paris, Bordeaux, San Seb
London, Paris, Bordeaux, San Sebastian, Barcelona, French Riviera, Pisa, Florence, Sorrento, Rome, Venice, Salzburg, Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam
An extremely well thought-out and organized trip that catered to people from different backgrounds and of different interests. The accommodation, itinerary, and order of activities all made sense, and the staff took all of the stress out of travel to maximise the fun.
Tour of Acropolis was excellent but felt that there were other sites in Athens which should have been included. The Natiional Archaelogy Museum is a treasure and should have been a basis for all of the sites we visited all over Greece..
It was a wekl-planned itinerary which allowed us to see a wealth of famous historical sites as well as showing us some contemporary “slices of life”.
Good tour director, site guides and driver as well as wuality a commodations, coach and meals.
This was a great trip to explore each city. Personally, this felt a bit more independent type travel (exploring the city by yourself or if you made a friend with them) vs other Contikis (more time with the group). Hotels were great and fantastic locations (centrally located near metros and the main train station). Fantastic free time add ons as well.