Discover Enchanting European Trips with Contiki that put “Wonder-lust” into the Continent’s Winter Wonderland

Millennials can celebrate New Year’s at the Hogmanay festival in Edinburgh or ski fresh powder runs at the best Austrian slopes ?

 – All Contiki trips are designed to give 18-35’s the most epic experience of their lives. With the winter months offering less crowds, fewer line-ups and lower costs, travellers have more time and money to discover Europe. Some of the most incredible festivals, holiday markets and outdoor fun take place when the temperature drops a few degrees and with 10% off until January 15, 2015, there’s never been a better time to enjoy the unexpected magic that Europe has to offer in the winter.
“Winter is a magical time to explore Europe, when travellers can visit iconic, bucket list destinations, with smaller groups, and get the added highlight of cultural winter festivals, holiday markets and incredible New Years celebrations.” says Brad Ford, Contiki Canada President. “Unique, epic adventures is what Contiki is all about, and by offering young, millennial travellers the chances to live out their own legendary travel experiences, we encourage them live life to the absolute fullest.”

With Winter & Ski trips, Contiki provides travellers with a completely unique, adventure-filled, epic way to see Europe. To get 18-35’s excited, Contiki’s ranked the top unforgettable experiences that will sizzle even in frosty winter temperatures:
Hit the slopes by day and après-ski by night, all from Contiki’s very own authentic Austrian gasthof (guest inn). Located in Hofgarten, Austria, part of the “SkiWelt” region offering 279km of runs, this winter epicentre has been voted 'World's Best Ski Area' out of 70 resorts in 8 countries for the last 3 years. Contiki travellers can fully embrace the fresh, winter air with private ski lessons and explore new trails each day. Get to Austria conveniently on the Contiki coach from London, or meet up with your group on the hill for one or two full weeks of fun.

See it all and have a (snow!) ball with the Winter Wanderer. For travellers with time on their side and a penchant for leisurely in-depth exploration, The Winter Wanderer features many of Europe’s must-see destinations. Journey along the French Riviera, exploring the Eternal City of Rome where it's never too cold for Gelato, sample traditional Spanish tapas in Barcelona, retrace the history of WW2 and the Cold War in Berlin and Prague. Winter in Europe is not only magical, it's less crowded and has its very own charms that go unnoticed in the heat of summer. The epitome of a winter wonderland. Do it all on Contiki’s 25-day Winter Wanderer.

Ring in 2016 at one of the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations in Edinburgh, Scotland. Kicking off the night in one of the historic city’s many iconic pubs before grabbing a mulled wine and joining the crowds on the cobbled streets to ring in the new year is a memory not soon to be forgotten. Do this on Contiki’s 4- or 5-day Hogmanay trip.

Ice-skate & savour tiny cakes at the Eiffel Tower?. Twinkling lights, the Parisian skyline as a backdrop, authentic chocolat chaud to keep you warm and there’s nothing more magical than skating on an ice rink at the Eiffel Tower. Located on the first floor observation deck, the rink’s sprawling views of Paris make for an unforgettable night at one of the world’s most iconic structures. Do this on Contiki’s 23-day European Trail trip.

Take in the merriment and magic of a German Christmas. ?Streets lit with twinkling lights, the smell of gingerbread and cinnamon baked goods wafting through the air and strolls through charming markets filled with hand-made goods are true Christmas delights. For travellers obsessed with all things Kris Kringle, there’s no better place to get in touch with your festive side than Germany, home to historic Christmas Markets. Grab a mug of mulled wine and browse the centuries-old markets, indulging in stollen and stopping to pick up that perfect present. Do this on Contiki’s 12-day European Discovery trip.
Shop the holiday sales in London?. London is a fashion mecca, famous for both its edgy street style and cache, premium brands. Young travellers can shop-‘til-they-drop, and with epic winter sales on pretty much everything, there’s no better time to score some sweet deals. For something to suit every budget, head to Selfridges – one of the world’s most iconic department stores — and scoop up anything from high street goods to designer duds to delicious locally-sourced food. Do this on Contiki’s 3- or 5-day London Explorer trip.

So whether it’s hitting the slopes for Ski & Snowboard Austria, ringing in the New Year on a Festival trip, or taking in the Christmas Markets and holiday sales in a cosmopolitan city, exploring Winter Europe with Contiki is the only way to go! For more information on Contiki’s Europe Winter trips and the advantages of travelling during the off-summer season, check out: contiki.com  

Life’s an adventure – make it count with #NOREGRETS.

--ENDS--

About Contiki Holidays
Contiki is the world leader in youth travel experiences, a brand that is all about discovery, epic moments and making every second count. Our journeys unlock the local way of life in each and every destination we visit, and with over 300 trips in more than 50 countries, we see every day as the start of a new adventure. For more information, please visit: http://www.contiki.com/meetcontiki

Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s family of brands, the TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit working to ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has donated more than USD 2.5 million to sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The Foundation’s guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities. Foundation priorities are set by the Steering Committee, which includes sustainability leaders like Céline Cousteau and Costas Christ.

To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at: http://treadright.org