Contiki - Just a party bus?
Last Updated: 8th Apr 2013
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There’s no question about it – Contiki’s reputation as the world’s number one travel company was forged over 30 years ago in the 1970’s in a time when not only our tours, but the attitude of the whole world was a lot more liberal and bohemian.
Ask anyone from the era and they will tell you stories of wild nights of partying, drinking and well…maybe some hazy recollections of seeing the Eiffel Tower.
Google the travelogs of our recent customers or YouTube ‘Contiki’ and you’re more likely to see things about the sights, history, culture, food and friendships that people experience on a tour than drinking and partying.
That’s certainly not to say that if you want to party your way around you won’t find what you’re looking for but you’re more likely to find a mix of people on any give tour – including some who don’t want to party at all.
The world is a smaller place and with so many travel options literally at their fingertips, today’s young travellers are far more discerning and demanding than that those of their parent’s generation and Contiki has continued to respond and change with our travellers’ needs.
Contiki would not have continued to enjoy it’s reputation as the industry leader had it not evolved and changed with the times and while we still enjoy a great party and it is Contiki’s goal is is to give it’s travellers the experience of a lifetime, no matter what their taste in travel.
Tour Manager Opinions
“I think many years ago Contiki was just a drunken party bus, but today’s young travellers are wiser and more savvy than those of 20 years ago. We do have great parties on Contiki, but you definitely do not miss out on all the historical stuff as well – it is a perfect mix.”
- Michael Thomas, Tour Manager, Europe
“As a TM that does not drink, people often comment about how happy and excited i am in my role. Europe is an experience people enjoy, not something they want to miss eg sleep and stagger through. Most clients like to go out and have a good time and they balance this nighttime experience with active and enthusiatic experience during the day… this allows everyone to return home with memories to replay over and over again.”
by – Vicki, Tour Manager, Europe
“There is always going to be a social aspect as part of a tour with young people. This does not necessarily mean it is alcohol related, this could mean optionals or dinners and sometimes some bars. It is always your choice and you never should feel influenced to do anything that you do not want to do as you personally need to get out of the tour what you want to get out of it.”
- Lucky Phrachanh, Tour Manager, Europe
Past Travellers Opinions
“Contiki also has the image as nothing more than a few weeks of drinking. This is a bit harsh. Whilst there were many big nights on the tour, most people were usually on the bus first thing in the morning to go into the city to see the sights. After paying the amount of money to fly to Europe and then the tour price, spending each day hung over in bed is not exactly value for money. No one was pressured to go out either. You can make the tour what you want it to be, so it is flexible from that point of view. The average age on tour would have been around 25, with people 18 and some 35 year olds too. So the idea that it is just 18 year olds drinking their way around Europe was not the case!”
- Gomes, Posted 20 Apr 2007
Add a Comment Comments (29)
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Could you send me some links to reverse phone lookup sites? All I can find is this: http://yellowphonesearch.com/
pulgra
posted on 26th Sep 2012
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The opinion of these travelers are good enough to visit.
brenda14
posted on 7th Aug 2012
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There you go a very beautiful post..
brenda14
posted on 7th Aug 2012
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One of the best tours to have is the one the above. It is a great memory and fun related one which is highly fantastic.
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posted on 3rd Aug 2012
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It is alcohol related, this could mean optionals or dinners and sometimes some bars. It is always your choice and you never should feel influenced to do anything that you do not want to do as you personally need to get out of the tour what you want to get out of it.
tryBarbaraRKeefer
posted on 13th Jul 2012
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his is a bit harsh. Whilst there were many big nights on the tour, most people were usually on the bus first thing in the morning to go into the city to see the sights. After paying the amount of money to fly to Europe and then the tour price, spending each day hung over in bed is not exactly value.
tryBarbaraRKeefer
posted on 13th Jul 2012
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This is a bit harsh. Whilst there were many big nights on the tour, most people were usually on the bus first thing in the morning to go into the city to see the sights. After paying the amount of money to fly to Europe and then the tour price, spending each day hung over in bed is not exactly value for money. No one was pressured to go out either. You can make the tour what you want it to be,
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posted on 23rd Jun 2012
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It is a massive party. Me and my mates went 37 straight days on the piss. But we still got up every morning and toured the cities. It’s not really about the drinking, its about having a good time and meeting people from all over the world.
sk8 shopBarbaraRKeefer
posted on 23rd Jun 2012
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It is a massive party. Me and my mates went 37 straight days on the piss. But we still got up every morning and toured the cities. It’s not really about the drinking, its about having a good time and meeting people from all over the world. I would say if you are looking for a nice quiet stroll through Europe Contiki isn’t for you.
personal statements for graduate schoolBarbaraRKeefer
posted on 21st Jun 2012
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Contiki would not have continued to enjoy it’s reputation as the industry leader had it not evolved and changed with the times and while we still enjoy a great party and it is Contiki’s goal is is to give it’s travellers the experience of a lifetime, no matter what their taste in travel.
personal statement sociologyBarbaraRKeefer
posted on 21st Jun 2012
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Saved as a favorite, I love your blog!
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posted on 3rd Jun 2012
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Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this post plus the rest of the site is very good.
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posted on 2nd Jun 2012
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Please Can Someone Help Me!!!
I am planning to go on the Ultimate European Tour (Plus Egypt) this year and im a but worried about the partying side of the tour. I just graduated from uni and I do enjoy going to clubs and partying, but not always. With many reviews that I have seen, Contiki is just a party bus with people just partying non stop and thats a bit concerning for me. Also i have heard that hotels are far from the city.
Quetstions:
1. Do you have to go to the party’s that Contiki organise for you? Could you just go to the city centre, have dinner, and have a peacefull walk? ( of course at the contiki village, i’d party hard!!)
2. If the hotel is far awayfrom the city and people go partying at a bar, in the contiki village, can you still go to the city? or do you have to pay for public transport?
Please i really need help with this questions from someone who has expereinced it, I really want to go with Contiki, because you visit so many countires for a small price, and you go to egypt to which is pretty cool!!!! :)JamieExplorer
posted on 11th Apr 2012
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As someone who doesn’t drink or enjoy clubbing & night it’s a relief to find that there are other options! I haven’t been on my first Contiki tour yet and now I don’t feel as nervous as I did an hour ago.School Grants
SchoolGrants
posted on 4th Apr 2012
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Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about information and love learning more on this. If possible, as you gain expertise, It is extremely helpful for me. would you mind updating your blog with more information.
000-118 /// 642-437 /// 650-179 /// N10-004 /// N10-005 /// 70-649 ///jimmight
posted on 27th Mar 2012
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im going on a contiki tour in 5 days im so looking forward it :D i still want to have a night out but still see the sights so im only going to have a couple of drinks each night :) its all about having fun and seeing the sights at the same time :) we all like to party once in a while :)
amzs08
posted on 28th Jan 2012
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I am sure it has evolved, and would likely need to.Once, on the India overland,the tour “voted off” an older member who was deemed to be too conservative for the majority.Granted she was much older than the accepted norm, and insisted everyone “Dress for Dinner !” (Quite bizarre given the heat. ) The fact that she was ejected in Iran was equally bizarre,even back then in pre revolutionary days,it was still a dangerous country.Can’t imagine alcohol playing such a part in todays environment.
Explorer1285264
posted on 5th Sep 2011
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Have done two Contikis and got a sensible good group on each one.I was lucky given the time of year of travel and the regions made a huge difference.We all made the most of the culture and experiences during the day and knew how to party at night.Right Now I am preparing for my 2012 tour which is the last one I qualify for due to my age.
Explorer1084121
posted on 16th Dec 2010
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This Year I am doing one of their New Asia Programmes The Vietnam Highlights and I am over the age of 30.I am also a non drinker so am pleased to know there is more to life and other options.Doing it mainly for the experiences as well as the culture.I learnt about Vietnam in High School by the way which explains a thing or two about why I am going and by the way This is my second Contiki having done one to New Zealand back in 1999 so looking forward to it I am on the 23rd of December departure.
Explorer1084121
posted on 26th Apr 2009
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As someone who doesn’t drink or enjoy clubbing & night it’s a relief to find that there are other options! I haven’t been on my first Contiki tour yet and now I don’t feel as nervous as I did an hour ago. Thanx
Explorer1119876
posted on 26th Dec 2008
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