Question

Any 'Best of the USA' reviews?

4 Jun 2008 getting real sick of sitting at my desk asked

Has anyone been on the 'Best of the USA' tour? I'd love to hear what you thought of the hotels, transportation and the experience in general.

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Answer this question 34 answers so far

10 Jun 2008 amber82 said

Hi
I’m really interested in this as well as there seems to be no reviews what so ever on Best of USA…

Anyone have anything to say?…

Hi I'm really interested in this as well as there seems to be no reviews what so ever on Best of USA... Anyone have anything to say?... or Cancel
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28 Oct 2008 Chelle said

I’m going on this in may next year.. would like to see some reviews too before i go..

I'm going on this in may next year.. would like to see some reviews too before i go.. or Cancel
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2 Nov 2008 Jon said

hey guys i only just got back from best of u.s.a yesterday it was frickin aweome loved it….only my first contiki but i think this trip holds a major advantage as you spend hardly any time at all travelling and really get to roll around the cities and discover stuff…..feel free to ask me any questions hey

hey guys i only just got back from best of u.s.a yesterday it was frickin aweome loved it....only my first contiki but i think this trip holds a major advantage as you spend hardly any time at all travelling and really get to roll around the cities and discover stuff.....feel free to ask me any questions hey or Cancel
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4 Nov 2008 Maria23 said

Hey Jon, finally some feedback! u back home already?

Ok so here goes:
1. if you don’t mind me asking, how much did u spend each day (food, tips, souveneirs, optional extras, etc)

2. what optional extras did u do, which would u recommend

3. how are the flights between cities? did u have to wake up at the crack of dawn every few days when u were due to fly out?

4. did u guys end up bonding really well even though it was only 2 weeks?

5. was it loads of partying/drinking/not much sleep? did you end up with the contiki cough?

sorry jon – booked for the next trip (Dec 14). 1st trip o/s and cannot wait…

Hey Jon, finally some feedback! u back home already? Ok so here goes: 1. if you don't mind me asking, how much did u spend each day (food, tips, souveneirs, optional extras, etc) 2. what optional extras did u do, which would u recommend 3. how are the flights between cities? did u have to wake up at the crack of dawn every few days when u were due to fly out? 4. did u guys end up bonding really well even though it was only 2 weeks? 5. was it loads of partying/drinking/not much sleep? did you end up with the contiki cough? sorry jon - booked for the next trip (Dec 14). 1st trip o/s and cannot wait... or Cancel
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4 Nov 2008 Jon said

quote:
Ok so here goes:
1. if you don’t mind me asking, how much did u spend each day (food, tips, souveneirs, optional extras, etc)….ok as far as each day went it varied heaps depending on what i did how average i was feeling for the night before but in total i spent about $5000 aust….but i went all out and i didnt gamble in vegas so the two sort of cancel each other out…..drinks are ridiculously cheap over there (as in from a 7/11 or whatever) i think we paid us$6 for a six pack and that it all depends what your going to spend your money on…..the girls on our tour spent a fair bit at the outlets in vegas but the guys stuff wasnt impressive pretty plain as far as clothes go. i did about us$700 worth of optional extras

2. what optional extras did u do, which would u recommend….in l.a the only optional i did was to tijuana mexico which wasnt listed on the site because of government travel warnings but they were lifted just before we left…..was absolutely awesome you do a little bit of shopping (most of the stuff is dodgy) except for the tequila shop where the guys see’s the bus coming and has a sign out the front saying do you want to get drunk and gives you heaps of tastes of tequila and stuff like that…..then (if you can go) find a place called la placita has really cheap margaritas and cecent food and is great to sti up on their roof and get really toasted and smoke a cuban( all relatively inexpensive) in san fran i did the sunset sailing which was really worthwhile its a really beautiful cruise and is great to have a few drinks and have a few laughs with your tour. they dont have alcatraz as an included thing but is really worthwhile go to alcatraztours.com or something like that?! (it says somewhereon the contiki website) in vegas i did the variety show and the helicopter flight to the grand canyon….the show wasnt amazing but it did provide a few laughs and breaks things up a little by that stage we had been drinking every night and it was good to delay the drinking for a couple of hours with something different……the grand canyon helicopter flight is good…..i wasnt as impressed with the grand canyon as i thought i would be which was a bit of a bummer but for me it was something that i was definately going to see while i was there in new york i did the logner helicopter ride….personally i would advise on not doing this i really didnt think it was worth the money and the tour guide did not give us any info at all ( i think he had to concentrate on air traffic) but it wasnt worthe the money for me

3. how are the flights between cities? did u have to wake up at the crack of dawn every few days when u were due to fly out? as far as waking up at the crack of dawn you get up early pretty much every day….if you want to have a nice cruisy holiday where u have sleep ins and walks on the beach and all that sort of stuff this is not really the thing for you….im thinking perhaps contiki in general…its pretty full on from dawn until near dawn! obviously you can head to bed early after dinner and that but as a note the best times together are head post 1am the flights are generally pretty short except for the new york (i think it was 6 hours) but you’ll probably sleep on that one as you have to be up at 5am to leave for it (or did on mine) and its your last night in vegas i think i got back at about 3 and just stayed up playing cards and bumming around the hotel cause i didnt want to miss the plane….i think the main adavantage this tour has over most of the others is that you don’t spend the majority of the time travelling you end up getting heaps more time in each city than you would on a bus tour

4. did u guys end up bonding really well even though it was only 2 weeks? yeah hey i just got back on sunday and im missing everyone massively….i had never been on a contiki trip before and id heard about how close you get to the people around you after about 3 days i was thinkin that it was a load of bull but by the end of the tour just spending 20 odd hours a day together just having an awesome time everyone does get really close all teary saying goodbye and all that sort of business

5. was it loads of partying/drinking/not much sleep? did you end up with the contiki cough?
hahaha you may have noticed some subtle hints to excessive drinking and partying in the above paragraphs :P i didn’t but i have a lovely smokers cough anyway….a couple of people did get sick but i dont think it was related….i think the “contiki cough” happens on bus tours where everyone is sharing a ventilation system most of the day

hope it was some help keep on firing more questions at me if you have any and sorry about my lovely typing/spelling abilities

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Ok so here goes: 1. if you don't mind me asking, how much did u spend each day (food, tips, souveneirs, optional extras, etc)....ok as far as each day went it varied heaps depending on what i did how average i was feeling for the night before but in total i spent about $5000 aust....but i went all out and i didnt gamble in vegas so the two sort of cancel each other out.....drinks are ridiculously cheap over there (as in from a 7/11 or whatever) i think we paid us$6 for a six pack and that it all depends what your going to spend your money on.....the girls on our tour spent a fair bit at the outlets in vegas but the guys stuff wasnt impressive pretty plain as far as clothes go. i did about us$700 worth of optional extras 2. what optional extras did u do, which would u recommend....in l.a the only optional i did was to tijuana mexico which wasnt listed on the site because of government travel warnings but they were lifted just before we left.....was absolutely awesome you do a little bit of shopping (most of the stuff is dodgy) except for the tequila shop where the guys see's the bus coming and has a sign out the front saying do you want to get drunk and gives you heaps of tastes of tequila and stuff like that.....then (if you can go) find a place called la placita has really cheap margaritas and cecent food and is great to sti up on their roof and get really toasted and smoke a cuban( all relatively inexpensive) in san fran i did the sunset sailing which was really worthwhile its a really beautiful cruise and is great to have a few drinks and have a few laughs with your tour. they dont have alcatraz as an included thing but is really worthwhile go to alcatraztours.com or something like that?! (it says somewhereon the contiki website) in vegas i did the variety show and the helicopter flight to the grand canyon....the show wasnt amazing but it did provide a few laughs and breaks things up a little by that stage we had been drinking every night and it was good to delay the drinking for a couple of hours with something different......the grand canyon helicopter flight is good.....i wasnt as impressed with the grand canyon as i thought i would be which was a bit of a bummer but for me it was something that i was definately going to see while i was there in new york i did the logner helicopter ride....personally i would advise on not doing this i really didnt think it was worth the money and the tour guide did not give us any info at all ( i think he had to concentrate on air traffic) but it wasnt worthe the money for me 3. how are the flights between cities? did u have to wake up at the crack of dawn every few days when u were due to fly out? as far as waking up at the crack of dawn you get up early pretty much every day....if you want to have a nice cruisy holiday where u have sleep ins and walks on the beach and all that sort of stuff this is not really the thing for you....im thinking perhaps contiki in general...its pretty full on from dawn until near dawn! obviously you can head to bed early after dinner and that but as a note the best times together are head post 1am the flights are generally pretty short except for the new york (i think it was 6 hours) but you'll probably sleep on that one as you have to be up at 5am to leave for it (or did on mine) and its your last night in vegas i think i got back at about 3 and just stayed up playing cards and bumming around the hotel cause i didnt want to miss the plane....i think the main adavantage this tour has over most of the others is that you don't spend the majority of the time travelling you end up getting heaps more time in each city than you would on a bus tour 4. did u guys end up bonding really well even though it was only 2 weeks? yeah hey i just got back on sunday and im missing everyone massively....i had never been on a contiki trip before and id heard about how close you get to the people around you after about 3 days i was thinkin that it was a load of bull but by the end of the tour just spending 20 odd hours a day together just having an awesome time everyone does get really close all teary saying goodbye and all that sort of business 5. was it loads of partying/drinking/not much sleep? did you end up with the contiki cough? </div></BLOCKQUOTE> hahaha you may have noticed some subtle hints to excessive drinking and partying in the above paragraphs :P i didn't but i have a lovely smokers cough anyway....a couple of people did get sick but i dont think it was related....i think the "contiki cough" happens on bus tours where everyone is sharing a ventilation system most of the day hope it was some help keep on firing more questions at me if you have any and sorry about my lovely typing/spelling abilities or Cancel
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4 Nov 2008 Maria23 said

Jon, you’re an absolute legend. Thanks for this, it’s really helped. Wasn’t sure what to expect so really appreciate you coming back to the forum!

When did you get the opportunity to go to Mexico?

And ok, what do you wish you had brought but forgotten? What are some things that you couldn’t do without?

Jon, you're an absolute legend. Thanks for this, it's really helped. Wasn't sure what to expect so really appreciate you coming back to the forum! When did you get the opportunity to go to Mexico? And ok, what do you wish you had brought but forgotten? What are some things that you couldn't do without? or Cancel
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5 Nov 2008 Jon said

hey maria….mexico was part of the l.a part of the tour was just an optional extra ask your tour manager when you see them it does depend alot on travle warnings apparently they’re pretty frequent? didnt seem to dangerous to me just dont be an idiot and you’ll be sweet

umm there was nothing i didnt really have with me oh except a heaps warm jacket for new york (ski jacket warm) and also a power board (four powere point thingy) came in handy? make sure you have a variety of clothes (not sure how important it is for december but california was shorts and t shirt weather and new york was how ever many layers you can put on weather)

hey maria....mexico was part of the l.a part of the tour was just an optional extra ask your tour manager when you see them it does depend alot on travle warnings apparently they're pretty frequent? didnt seem to dangerous to me just dont be an idiot and you'll be sweet umm there was nothing i didnt really have with me oh except a heaps warm jacket for new york (ski jacket warm) and also a power board (four powere point thingy) came in handy? make sure you have a variety of clothes (not sure how important it is for december but california was shorts and t shirt weather and new york was how ever many layers you can put on weather) or Cancel
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18 Feb 2009 JadeLouise said

Hey all,

I’m going on the Best of USA in August this yr nd am just wondering wat the Marrakesh hotel in NY is like? I’ve read in another forum from someone that stayed there last June that its pretty crappy nd has cockroaches etc everywhere… Has it gotten any better since then or is it still dodgy?

Also, is there anyone else going on this tour in August? I’d love 2 meet u 

Hey all, I'm going on the Best of USA in August this yr nd am just wondering wat the Marrakesh hotel in NY is like? I've read in another forum from someone that stayed there last June that its pretty crappy nd has cockroaches etc everywhere... Has it gotten any better since then or is it still dodgy? Also, is there anyone else going on this tour in August? I'd love 2 meet u <img src="http://connect.contiki.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smiler" width="15" height="15"> or Cancel
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20 Feb 2009 Explorer1124643 said

Yeh I am a bit concerned about this hotel as well. I have only read bad things about it (like bed bugs!!!) It’s making me not want to do the tour! I was wondering if it was worth staying somewhere else, I hear it’s far away from all the good places too. If you choose to stay in a different hotel, do you get that taken off what you pay contiki??

Yeh I am a bit concerned about this hotel as well. I have only read bad things about it (like bed bugs!!!) It's making me not want to do the tour! I was wondering if it was worth staying somewhere else, I hear it's far away from all the good places too. If you choose to stay in a different hotel, do you get that taken off what you pay contiki?? or Cancel
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22 Feb 2009 JadeLouise said

It looks really nice in all the photos I’ve seen of the rooms but I guess looks can be deceiving… I can put up with it being far away from things but I definately dnt wanna be dealing with bed bugs and cockroaches!

It looks really nice in all the photos I've seen of the rooms but I guess looks can be deceiving... I can put up with it being far away from things but I definately dnt wanna be dealing with bed bugs and cockroaches! or Cancel
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4 Mar 2009 katiegirl87 said

i have had clients stay at the Marrakesh and they said it wasn’t too bad! Its all about location in New York and you will find that the majority of hotels within a decent price range ($200-$300 per night) are not of the best standard that we are used to in Australia.
You have to remember than Contiki isn’t going to put us up in 5 star accom it is usually a basic 2 to 3 star. And any way you don’t really spend that much time in your room. You use it for a shower some where to keep all ur stuff and possibly a couple of hours sleep if your lucky.
I have done a tour in Europe and about to go on my second with Contiki for Best of USA and it is all about keeping an open mind. If not take a beach towel or spare sheet and put it over the bed if you are not completely comfortable!

i have had clients stay at the Marrakesh and they said it wasn't too bad! Its all about location in New York and you will find that the majority of hotels within a decent price range ($200-$300 per night) are not of the best standard that we are used to in Australia. You have to remember than Contiki isn't going to put us up in 5 star accom it is usually a basic 2 to 3 star. And any way you don't really spend that much time in your room. You use it for a shower some where to keep all ur stuff and possibly a couple of hours sleep if your lucky. I have done a tour in Europe and about to go on my second with Contiki for Best of USA and it is all about keeping an open mind. If not take a beach towel or spare sheet and put it over the bed if you are not completely comfortable! or Cancel
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30 Apr 2009 LiL`Fi said

I’m heading off on The Best of USA tour on the August 15th departure this year. Is anybody else on this tour???

Would love to have a chat before we meet =)

I'm heading off on The Best of USA tour on the August 15th departure this year. Is anybody else on this tour??? Would love to have a chat before we meet =) or Cancel
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30 Apr 2009 LiL`Fi said

Also… I believe that Contiki have changed their New York property to the Milford Plaza Hotel now =)

Also... I believe that Contiki have changed their New York property to the Milford Plaza Hotel now =) or Cancel
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12 May 2009 MatyG said

Hey guys,

Does anybody know, if one was to do the Best of USA tour, if it is possible to do the OC Experience and universal studios in the same day?

Hey guys, Does anybody know, if one was to do the Best of USA tour, if it is possible to do the OC Experience and universal studios in the same day? or Cancel
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10 Jul 2009 amyflavored said

Great post everyone. I went through a company and got a really good vacation package. I think it is definitely good enough to be considered as “one of the best” but I feel like I got my moneys worth for all that was included in it.

Great post everyone. I went through a company and got a really good vacation package. I think it is definitely good enough to be considered as "one of the best" but I feel like I got my moneys worth for all that was included in it. or Cancel
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24 Jan 2010 Niksta said

Hey Play-Boy!
I’m dying to find this out to.
It doesn’t say anywhere what day the OC optional is and I want to do both the OC and Universal.
Can you let me know if you find out? And I’ll do the same. 

quote:
Originally posted by Play-Boy:
Hey guys,

Does anybody know, if one was to do the Best of USA tour, if it is possible to do the OC Experience and universal studios in the same day?

Hey Play-Boy! I'm dying to find this out to. It doesn't say anywhere what day the OC optional is and I want to do both the OC and Universal. Can you let me know if you find out? And I'll do the same. <img src="http://connect.contiki.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smiler" width="15" height="15"> <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Play-Boy: Hey guys, Does anybody know, if one was to do the Best of USA tour, if it is possible to do the OC Experience and universal studios in the same day? </div></BLOCKQUOTE> or Cancel
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25 Feb 2010 Wez said

quote:
Originally posted by Play-Boy:
Hey guys,

Does anybody know, if one was to do the Best of USA tour, if it is possible to do the OC Experience and universal studios in the same day?

OK just came across this thread.
I went on this tour last August and it was absolutely brilliant!
I did most of the extras and they were all very good.
i can tell you now you will never manage the time to to the OC experience and Universal on the same day.
Universal is out of this world and honestly 1 day there wasn’t even enough I had so much fun, Definitely worth doing.

Anything else anyone wants to know?

Ciao
Wez 

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Play-Boy: Hey guys, Does anybody know, if one was to do the Best of USA tour, if it is possible to do the OC Experience and universal studios in the same day? </div></BLOCKQUOTE> OK just came across this thread. I went on this tour last August and it was absolutely brilliant! I did most of the extras and they were all very good. i can tell you now you will never manage the time to to the OC experience and Universal on the same day. Universal is out of this world and honestly 1 day there wasn't even enough I had so much fun, Definitely worth doing. Anything else anyone wants to know? Ciao Wez <img src="http://connect.contiki.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif" alt="Wink" width="15" height="15"> or Cancel
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27 Mar 2010 .Adam.Usher. said

Hi Guys,

I done this trip back in July 2009, can honestly say it was the best thing i have ever done, ive done a lot of travelling and this was brilliant.

The optional extras i done nearly all of them, probably minus sex and the city and the OC but everything else was amazing.

The accomodation is great, apart from Vegas where a lot of us walked across the road and checked into the MGM Grand. Its not that bad but when your in Vegas you want to do it in style so we Upgraded ourselves 

Everything else was great, any questions just ask…

Adam (UK)

Hi Guys, I done this trip back in July 2009, can honestly say it was the best thing i have ever done, ive done a lot of travelling and this was brilliant. The optional extras i done nearly all of them, probably minus sex and the city and the OC but everything else was amazing. The accomodation is great, apart from Vegas where a lot of us walked across the road and checked into the MGM Grand. Its not that bad but when your in Vegas you want to do it in style so we Upgraded ourselves <img src="http://connect.contiki.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smiler" width="15" height="15"> Everything else was great, any questions just ask... Adam (UK) or Cancel
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30 Mar 2010 Kaz said

Hi Adam

Im booked for this tour on 24 July 2010 – cant wait!  Just a few questions please –
How did you get transportation to and from the airport to the hotels and visa versa. I have booked everything through contiki direct not through a travel agent and they have told me they dont organise transfers?
Do the hotel supply clean towels?
Do the hotels on this tour have laundry facilities?
The hotels Beacon in NY and Kyoto Grand in LA are they centrally located to everything and not too far out?
How did you call home from the US im not really wanting to take my mobile?

Thanks heaps
Kaz, Australia <!-graemlin::)—>

Hi Adam Im booked for this tour on 24 July 2010 - cant wait! <img src="http://connect.contiki.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smiler" width="15" height="15"> Just a few questions please - How did you get transportation to and from the airport to the hotels and visa versa. I have booked everything through contiki direct not through a travel agent and they have told me they dont organise transfers? Do the hotel supply clean towels? Do the hotels on this tour have laundry facilities? The hotels Beacon in NY and Kyoto Grand in LA are they centrally located to everything and not too far out? How did you call home from the US im not really wanting to take my mobile? Thanks heaps Kaz, Australia <img src="http://connect.contiki.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smiler" width="15" height="15"> or Cancel
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22 Sep 2010 RocketGirl said

Im going on this tour in the end of October 2010 – are there any reviews for this that aren’t over 12 months old? lol

Im going on this tour in the end of October 2010 - are there any reviews for this that aren't over 12 months old? lol or Cancel
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