Afterwards I headed downstairs to meet with a fellow trip member that I met on the chat page of the Contiki website. Then there was a walking tour around London . I definitely recommend doing even if England is your home town . After the tour was free time to spend with your Contiki mates . We stumbled accords the underbelly festival . Where I introduced my new friends from America , Canada and South Africa to pimms

Next we took a nice walk along the London eye. Being the only one that had been to London before I was given the role of the tour guide

We hen had pizza express for dinner and headed back to our room for a good nights sleep. As had to be outside the royal national hotel for 6am departure on the coach

Being on a coach means every couple of hours the driver has to stop and rest . Our tour guide Kristy certinetly knows the best service stations to stop at and the unique ones .

It was so windy but we were so amused by this tall thing

The first service station I have seen that is so colourful and fresh fruit everywhere

We just had to take a group selfie

After a long 5 hours we finally arrived in Amsterdam . Our tour guide had written us a detailed plan for everyday we were there . Every tour guide will do this . However they will all have different ideas . But it gives \240you an idea of what to expect.

The hotel inn in Amsterdam was superb. I asked for a single room for the duration of my stay . I talk about this more on the Contiki advice page of this blog. The only thing from the hotel. Had to get the Contiki coach or a taxi to the city centre .

After having about an hour to settle in to the hotel and Freshen up after a long coach ride . The whole group set out to an included dinner in the hotel . The food was really decent it was buffet style and loads of choice

Then a free time add on was a canal cruise .(31.50) On this blog Contiki advice page explains what this is . \240I defiantly recommend this one was so much fun . It also gives you a chance to meet and get to know your group more .

Unlimited Drinks were included in the price . Weather you wanted a soft drink or something alcoholic . This drink below is a typical Amsterdam shot 10% and the challenge is not to use your hands when you drink it . And put the lid on your nose

As it can be seen it is not as easy as it looks . Was such a laugh though .

Next stop after the cruise you had the option to go back to the hotel on the coach or to explore Amsterdam more and get a taxi back .

Me and other group members decided to stay out and explore the nightlife .

Then after breakfast the coach took us to the city centre if Amsterdam where we had 3 hours to explore before we headed off to Rhine Valley . I reccomend planning what you want to do in this free time with some friends you have met .

As a small group we decide that we wanted to try the famous avocado cafe so we researched how to get three

Definitely reccomend was really nice food . But I really should not of eaten so much breakfast .

Next is we took a stroll along the canals and the main shopping street before heading back to the coach .

The next stop was Rhine Valley . It took about 6 hours to get there . Long coach ride but most of it was spent sleeping , chatting , group bonding games organised by tour guide .

Below is a breakdown of what is happening . The hotel is too small and narrow to carry suitcases so just need a overnight bag , suitcase will be left on the coach

The room/hotel was very basic and small . Very old fashioned the only hotel we stayed in that had a traditional key to open the door .

This is why you need an overnight bag . Can you imagine carrying your suitcase up These.

After we checked in we had an hour of free time before we had an included time . That was more than enough time to explore as the town was one street with barley any shops.

Dinner was probably the nicest included meal of the trip

Next was an free time add on . I reccomend doing . Was wine tasting. Tasting wines from the Rhine Valley. (£9.00)

There was also a bar you could drink at in the hotel . Or me and a friend decided to take a walking along the river . The view was picturesque

The hotel again was very modern but basic . And out of the town centre .

After had checked in . The coach took us to the city centre . There was a included bike tour but me and my friend decided this wasn’t our thing . So we decided too wander around Munich by foot by ourselves .

We found a cute little church

We then tried on some traditional dresses : this was so much fun . Photos where not allowed. So I pretended I needed a different size dress . And we took a picture . I was so scared the shopkeeper was going to come back .

The previous year my dad had already visited Munich and reccomend this restaurant so we decided to try it . It was lovely . Reccomend if you want to try traditional German food .

We then met up with the rest of our group at the hofbrauhaus house . Where you can get a giant beer or if your not a fan of beer you can get a radler which is beer and lemonade . The idea of this place is you sit on benches and chat to people . This is also where Hitler went .

At 9:15 we got the coach back . You could stay out longer if you wanted to but would have to get a taxi back .

When we arrived there was an included free entry into the Swarovski museme and shop. Which was an eye opener as the item were so expensive but was so lovely

Next we either had some free time until 2:30 . Or you could do a free time add on was a mountain tour £28.00. This was amazing I reccomend doing this . The views were fantastic . Before the mountain trip there was some time to wander round .

Here the views are amazing even if the water is merky. But that is because of the snow is constantly dropping of the mountains

We had tradition schnitzel for lunch was delicious .

We then met the rest of our group and the tour guide for the mountain tour .

To get to the mountain we got a train that looks like a space shuttle . The views were amazing have never seen anything like it.

Love this photo . Was so relaxing and the views were breathtaking.

Seeing snow in 30 degrees heat in June was increadible.

I couldn’t believe I was standing on snow in this heat

Hardly any snow at this point of the mountain . But I am holding a snowball it was atually refreshing . And it didn’t even melt in my hand .

Recreating the sound of music

There is a restaurant where you can get a drink and admire the views . I would love to stay in the hotel here must be amazing .

At around 2:30 we left Insbruch which I was sad about as I would of loved to stay longer . The next adventure was Venice . It was an 8 hour journey . We arrived at Venice at 8pm

Really nice hotel room . Was not in the centre of Venice had to get a train and a boat to st Marks Square

We had a included dinner tonight .

Then had some free time . There wasn’t much to do so I just had an early night .

Included breakfast at 8:15

I think it’s amazing how the whole city is sinking .

There was a free time add on walking tour (£11.50) \240which was good as it gave an insight of the city . Venice steets is known for getting lost. It is said you have not experienced Venice until you get lost in the streets. Also the tour guide showed us the best ice cream place as a lot of the ice cream is fake.

Really nice ice cream

After getting some ice cream we had some free time before our tour guide had organised a free included lace talk .

We got some lunch . I know it doesn’t look apitising . But it was really nice . Do not eat in St Marks square very expensive and touristy

The lace tour was quite interesting

Next was an optional free time add on (£23.00) gondala ride is what Venice is famous for. Reccomend this.

Was a lot of fun . Such an eye opener to see how much the city was sinking

After the gondala ride . The tour guide gave us the option to try some traditional Venice drinks . Aperol Spritz and bilinis. We drank them on the street outside the bar .

Dinner was not included tonight so you could either find yourself a resturant . Or a free time add on was a traditional Venice dinner. (Price) reccomend this get so much food and drinks and a really fun night. One of the best nights of the trip.

You choose your main course in advance . The starter and other dishes everyone gets the same . Also wine and bilinis are included . Also traditional Venice music and entertainment .

Pasta can’t come to Italy and not have pasta.

Next course was this unusual black rice very unusual and very salty

This was the food option I choose . Chicken , veg and potatoes .

Then Tiramisu which I am not a big fan of but the taste of coffe wasn’t strong at all .

After the meal we got a boat and train back to our hotel . This was the only way back .

After for back to the hotel some of us went to the local pub . Or you could get an early night .

The hotel was very basic

The streets of Lucern were so pretty . We used our free time to explore the beautiful streets .

A free time add on was a lake como cruise . (£24.00)recdomend doing this was such fantastic view , a lot of Bonding happened on this cruise . Was so much fun . Drinks were included in the price .

The famous lion

Included dinner tonight . Disappointed it wasn’t traditional Swiss food.

We then went out clubbing which was so much fun . If this isn’t your scene then you can stay in the hotel .

The room was very basic but really nice

Had included dinner

Then a night tour of the effile tower . This was included didn’t have to pay for this

The views were amazing . Loved it so pretty

Just stay with your group as it can get very busy . One girl did get lost and she had to get a taxi home due to it being late and the coach driver was not allowed to stay any longer .

I wanted to go to Sephora the shop . So we headed to the main \240shopping street in Paris . And we came accross some other cool shops .

We then went to the cathedral of notre dame

Then on our way back from meeting our coach again we found a free museme that used to be a old train Station.

Then for the final night there was a optional free time add on . Moulin rouge which is £157 but is so worth it . It’s a once in a lifetime experience . Pretty much Everyone on my tour ended up doing it in the end . The best way to end a brilliant holiday . The price includes alcohol , food and a entertainment .

You had a choice of what food to order that you order in advance

Then after that some of us went out and celebrated what a great trip. And Even the tour guide came out .

This is the final day of the tour you can either go from Paris or you can stay on the coach till London. Some people from the tour stayed in the Contiki hotel for another night . As I lived in the UK I got public transport back home.

To purchase a single room or share a room

I paid a little bit extra for this but wasn’t that much . When booking the tour to have a single room as I personally did not fancy sharing a room with people I didn’t know . I certinely did not regret my decision either . 4 people on my tour out of about 20-30 had a single room.. I liked having my own space . If you would like to share a room then the tour guide will try and assign you with someone that is from a similar place to you .

Where are the Hotels ?

The hotels are a taxi ride away or the coach will drive you there in about 10-30 mins depending on the place . On all trips away from the hotel you can either come back with the coach at a certain time or if you want to stay out later you can pay/share a taxi normally about -€20 for a taxi and split it between you . Some nights you will want to come back to the coach or some nights you will want to stay out later.

What is a free time add on ?

This is a excursion that you can pay extra for . Some are worth it some are not . Depends on what you fancy . But don’t worry if there is something you do not fancy doing . You will not be alone . You can always do something else and have more free time alone or with someone else that doesn’t want to do the activity . My add ins added to £300 #noregrets

What does included things mean ?

Each day there is things that are included in the price this will not have a price on the itinerary so this means is included in the price

How much spending money

It all depends on what you want to but and what is included . On my trip most dinners were included and if they were not I paid for the free time add on . So it was a budget of €60-€100 a day for lunch , souvinours and entry into any attractions

Things to remember

Breakfast can be early as 6:30am so just remember if going out partying night before you have to be up for the time that the coach leaves . It will not wait for you . You will have to make your one way to the destination

If you are not on the coach at the pick up time said . You will be left behind and be responsible for getting a taxi or getting a train to the next country .

I \240did the European Magic tour May 27th - 4th June 2018. I had just finished university and I wanted to experience more of the world . I live in the UK.

I thought I would write this blog to help anyone thinking of doing a Contiki tour and answering any questions I know I had before the trip .