Itinerary: European Whirl '08
Trip Start
May 04, 2008
1
18
Trip End
May 28, 2008
Dayton,
Ohio,
United States
Sunday, May 4, 2008
2008. The outline will be in chronological order and will include the
contiki description of the day in bold for the days that cover
my Contiki tour. In the description from Contiki, included meals are
represented by (B), (L), and (D). As well as the Contiki description
the sights I intend to see will be listed as well.
I am departing on May 5th from Dayton, Ohio and will arrive in London on May
6th, 2008. The Contiki tour departs London on May 9th, 2008 and I will
begin their descriptions there. The contiki tour ends in Paris, France
on May 26th, and I am staying three additional nights, returning to
Dayton on May 29th, 2008.
Day 1: May 5th, 2008
Depart Dayton, Ohio with layover in Chicago, Illinois, and arrive in London,
England at Heathrow Airport at 8am on May 6th. Flying with United.
Day 2: May 6th, 2008
Arrive in London at 8am. Ideally will arrive at the Royal National around
10:30am to drop off my bags before check-in either at the desk or at
the Contiki Basement. Planned sights for the day include: Westminster
Abbey, Wellington Arch, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Covent
Garden, Big Ben, London Bridge.
Day 3: May 7th, 2008
Planned sights for the day include: Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral,
Shakespeare's Globe Theater, Kensington Palace, and an 8pm flight on
the London Eye.
Day 4: May 8th, 2008
Planned sights for the day include: Day tour with Evan Evans Tour Company to Stonehenge,
Windsor Castle, and Salisbury Cathedral (750th anniversary of
construction in the year 2008). Arrive late for the Contiki group
meeting.
Day 5: May 9th, 2008
Contiki tour begins
London to Amsterdam. A warm welcome from your Contiki Crew as we head for the
White Cliffs of Dover and the Channel crossing to France. We travel
through Belgium and into the Netherlands. After dinner a chance to
explore this unique city and it's amazing nightlife. Youth Hotel (D)
Day 6: May 10th, 2008
Amsterdam:
After a relaxing bicycle ride through the cheese village of Edam, use
the rest of your free day to explore this fascinating city. Perhaps
visit famous sights such as Anne Frank's House or the Van Gogh Museum.
Tonight a chance to try some local cuisine. Youth Hotel (B)
Planned sights for the day include: Anne Frank Museum and Van Gogh Museum
Day 7: May 11th, 2008
Amsterdam to Berlin: Today we pass Hannover and cross the River Elbe as we make
our way to Germany's capital, Berlin. Youth Hotel (B,D)
Day 8: May 12th, 2008
Berlin: Time to explore this lively city where East and West once met. A chance
for an Historical Walking tour, a visit to the "Checkpoint Charlie"
museum or to check out the great shops, cafés and nightlife. Youth
Hotel (B)
Planned sights for the day include: the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Friedrichstrasse, Checkpoint Charlie, and Berlin Cathedral
Day 9: May 13th, 2008
Berlin to Prague: This morning we make a stop in Dresden before crossing the
border into the Czech Republic. Tonight we discover the golden city of
Prague. Hotel (B)
Day 10: May 14th, 2008
Prague: A free day to soak up the Bohemian delights of Prague. Visit the Hradcany
Castle district where the St. Vitus Cathedral dominates the skyline.
Shop for crystal in the Old Town then perhaps join us for a lunch
cruise along the Vltava River. Dinner is your choice tonight, a great
way to farewell this magical capital. Youth Hotel (B)
Planned sights for the day include: Karlov Most, Prague Castle, St Vitus, St George Monastery, Old Town Square
Day 11: May 15th, 2008
Prague to Munich: On to Bavaria's lively capital Munich, home to the
Oktoberfest. This afternoon an orientation tour including the
Glockenspiel and Marienplatz. Maybe join us this evening at one of the
city's traditional Beer Halls. Youth Hotel (B)
Planned sights for the day include: Residenz, Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady, Frauenkirche, Haufbrauhaus
Day 12: May 16th, 2008
Munich to Austria Tyrol: This morning a beautiful mountain drive from Bavaria
to the Austrian Tyrol. Enjoy the scenery from a different angle and
join us for a bike ride and barbeque lunch. Contiki Special Stopover
(B,D)
Day 13: May 17th, 2008
Austria Tyrol to Venice: This morning the Austrian Alps form the backdrop for you to try white water rafting before we travel into Italy. We journey past
Verona, home to Romeo and Juliet before continuing to mainland Venice.
Contiki Village (B,D)
Day 14: May 18th, 2008
Venice: A short boat ride takes us into the historical centre of Venice to see
St. Mark's Square, the Doges' Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. See
glass and lace making demonstrations and why not treat yourself to a
gondola ride? Contiki Village (B,D)
Planned sights for the day include: St Marks Square and Basilica, Doges Palace, Bridge of Sighs, Campanile, Rialto Bridge
Day 15: May 19th, 2008
Venice to Rome: All roads lead to Rome where our included sightseeing tour is
the perfect introduction to the Eternal City. Tonight, a walking tour
of this ancient city will include the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and
Piazza Navona. Contiki Village (B)
Day 16: May 20th, 2008
Rome and Vatican City: Once at the centre of the powerful Roman Empire this
city, steeped in centuries of ancient history, awaits your discovery.
The Colosseum, Imperial Forum and the treasures of the Vatican City
make for a day of serious sightseeing. Contiki Village (B,D)
Planned sights for the day include: Private tour of the Vatican Museums with
Select Italy, St. Peters Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Trevi
Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Imperial Forum, Spanish Steps,
Circus Maximus, Palatino Hill
Day 17: May 21st, 2008
Rome to Florence: A morning drive to Florence where our included walking
tour takes us to the Duomo, Giotto's Bell Tower, Piazza della Signoria
and the Basilica of Sante Croce. Shop for leather, gold and silver and
tonight, a chance to sample the local food, drink, and nightlife.
Contiki Village (B)
Planned sights for the day include: Duomo, Giotto's Bell Tower, Piazza della Signoria, Basilica of Santa Croce
Day 18: May 22nd, 2008
Florence to Swiss Alps: We continue north past Lake Como and through beautiful
mountain scenery, visiting the lakeside town of Lucerne in central
Switzerland. Our idyllic stop in the Swiss Alps is nestled at the base
of the Jungfrau mountain. Contiki Special Stopover (B,D)
Day 19: May 23rd, 2008
Swiss Alps: A spectacular day where you can choose to hike the many trails or
maybe enjoy a trip up the snow-covered Jungfrau mountain on a cog
railway that passes through the Eiger mountain! Contiki Special
Stopover (B,D)
Planned sights for the day include: Jungfrau Mountain
Day 20, May 24th, 2008
Swiss Alps to Paris: Travel past vineyards and through the French countryside
to the romantic city of Paris and your first glimpse of this beautiful
city. Contiki Village (B,D)
Day 21, May 25th, 2008
Paris: Today's sightseeing includes some of the most celebrated icons of
Europe. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the Louvre, Eiffel Tower,
Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe or the Champs Elysées. Tonight, why not
complete your Parisian experience with a French meal and a famous
Parisian cabaret? Contiki Village (B)
Planned sights for the day include: Eiffel Tower, Le Louvre, Notre Dame, Arc De Triomph
Day 22, May 26th, 2008
Paris: Contiki Tour Ends
Planned sights for the day include: Notre Dame, Le Louvre, Pantheon, Musee D'Orsay
Hostel for the rest of the trip: Le Village near Sacre Couer
Day 23, May 27th, 2008
Paris. Planned sights for the day include: Sacre Couer, Chateau du Versailles, and Saint Chapelle
Day 24, May 28th, 2008
Paris. Planned sights for the day include: Notre Dame, Arc De Triomph, Catacombs, and the Rodin Museum
Day 25, May 29th, 2008
Paris to Dayton. Wake up at 4am and make it to the airport for my early flight out on Lufthansa.
The following blogs will cover the excursions booked through Contiki,
packing lists and pre-trip advice, tips on saving for the vacation and
getting discounts through Contiki, detailed journals of the days of the
tour, and a detailed conclusion of the final amount of money spent.
