Recent Articles

These are the most recently updated articles in Contikipedia.

1. Tour and Travel Advice - Australia

   More Tour and Travel Advice for: Australia, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand Planning a Trip Away Choosing a tour | Tips on Saving for a Trip What to pack Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or taking your first big trip overseas, deciding on what to pack is an important decision. Suggested Packing List | Visiting the Northern Territory | Laptops | Digital Memory Storage | Guide Books and Maps | Power Adapeters | Shoes and Footwear Luggage Su... read more >>

   163 comments | Saved 26 times

2. Amsterdam Airport

   More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe Generally tour starting in Amsterdam stay at one of the two following hotels. You should however check and confirm this against your tour documents when you receive them. Most Dutch are very helpful and speak English perfectly. Ibis Schiphol Hotel There is a complementary shuttle bus that runs from the Schiphol Airport directly to the front door of the Ibis Schiphol (official site). Follow the signs for hotel shuttles once you clear immigration and t... read more >>

   7 comments | Saved 5 times

3. Amsterdam to Barcelona (Tour)

   Style of Tour Time Out/Superior/Hotel Tour Featuring Netherlands, Belgium (in transit), France, Switzerland, Italy (in transit), Monaco, Spain Staying in Amsterdam, Paris, Lucerne, Chamonix, French Riviera, Barcelona Starting in Amsterdam Finishing in Barcelona Trip Forum Meeting Place Meet others who are going at the Amsterdam to Barcelona Meeting Place More information, dates, rates, and bookings Full itinerary, optional excursions, maps, booking, departure dates and more at the Amsterdam to Barcelona page Travelogs Create your own with My Trip Journals

   10 comments | Saved 4 times

4. Suggested packing list - Europe - Summer

   More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe What to pack for travel to other parts of the world The following is a suggested packing list for a Europe summer tour. Keep in mind this is not a definitive list – everyone has individual fashion tastes, preferences, opinions, and styles in terms of what they want to wear and bring along! This is meant to be a good guide to help you in packing for your European vacation. Clothes 1 rainproof jacket/small um... read more >>

   388 comments | Saved 2118 times

5. Rome

   by – Matt Vernick, Tour Manager, Europe Rome (Italian: Roma) is the capital of Italy and by far the country’s biggest, busiest and most happening city. The ‘Eternal City’ is a treasure trove of ancient art, history, culture, buildings, architecture, sites, food, and people that you would need almost an eternity to see and do everything the city has to offer. The most famous of Romes seemingly endless sights include the Colosseum, the Ancient Roman Forum, the Pantheon and all the wonders of St Pet... read more >>

   23 comments | Saved 42 times

6. Suitcase Vs Backpack

   More Tour and Travel Advice for: Europe, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand “I would advise travellers to take a suitcase with an extendable handle and wheels for any overseas trip. Firstly, suitcases can be packed in a very organized manner so that anything is easily accessible once you hit your hotel room. Wheels and a handle allow for easy transport, whether into a hotel, a coach in the morning, or out onto a sidewalk to catch a cab to the airport. Additionally, sui... read more >>

   279 comments | Saved 694 times

7. Western European language basics

   There is no need to enroll in French, Italian, German and Spanish classes for your European Tour. Your Tour Manager will fill you in on how to say some of the basics (eg. hello, please, thank you) in the native tongue of each of the countries you visit. It is often not only useful, but also polite to know a few of the basics in the local language and it’s a good idea to try and remember and uses these basics. English is a widely spoken and understood as ... read more >>

   350 comments | Saved 586 times

8. Dress code - Europe

   More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe Contrary to some literature, you do not need to dress up with dress pants and dresses to get into clubs and bars in Europe. Most of the time jeans and a t-shirt is more than enough with some bars and venues even allowing entry with shorts and flip flops. General For most occasions, comfortable, casual clothes are recommended for your European travel adevntures. Going Out and Evening Wear Although you don’t have to wear slacks and tie everywhere, yo... read more >>

   181 comments | Saved 1050 times

9. Luggage weight limits & size in Europe

   More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe Contiki Tours in Europe have a luggage restriction of 1 × 20 kilogram (44lbs) bag and 1 x carry on (roughly 5 kilograms/12lb) bag. This weight restriction is for legal requirements within the European Union as well as for your comfort and safety. The size restriction of you main luggage is 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29″ × 20″ × 10″) is also observed. Bags are not measured however you bags ... read more >>

   135 comments | Saved 664 times

10. Heathrow Airport (London)

    More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe The Royal National Hotel is used as the London base for most Contiki Tours starting and finishing in London, England. A great many clients choose to stay at either the Royal National Hotel or just down the road at the Imperial Hotel. The Royal National Hotel is also home to the Contiki Basement, the meeting point for tours starting in London and Contiki’s London travel base. Directions from Heathrow to the Royal National Hotel an... read more >>

    143 comments | Saved 935 times

11. Contiki travel documents

    More Tour and Travel Advice for: Australia, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand Once you have booked and paid for your tour and your tour departure have been confirmed, you will receive your Contiki travel documents in the mail. They should arrive roughly 3 weeks before your tour departs. Your Contiki travel documents you receive in the mail includes: Travel and accommodation vouchers Detailed itinerary and accommodation listings Contiki travellers guide booklet ... read more >>

    61 comments | Saved 131 times

12. Italian Food and Drink

    People travel from all over the world to experience the true taste of Italy and from your first slice of pizza, sip of wine or fork full of pasta it’s easy to see why…. Food One of the big draw cards of Italy is the food. Italian food is very simple, good chefs use very few ingredients so as not to loose and confuse the flavours. Eating is an integral and important part of any day in Bella Italia and the variety, styles and tastes ate almost boundless. Italian restau... read more >>

    358 comments | Saved 17 times

13. Tyrol

    The Tyrol is a region of western Austria and northern Italy most famous for its towering Alps, fantastic skiing and laid back, casual yet active lifestyle and fresh, clean environment. Home to towns like Hopfgarten, Innsbruck and Itter in Austria and Bozen on the Italian side of the border. The region also incorporates the Brenner Pass on the Austrian/Italian border. The people of the Tyrol share many cultural similarities with the Bavarians of southern Germany however they possess a fierce cultural independence... read more >>

    7 comments | Saved 13 times

14. Tour and Travel Advice - USA and Canada

    More Tour and Travel Advice for: Australia, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand Planning a Trip Away Choosing a tour | Tips on Saving for a Trip What to Pack Hiking shoes for the Grand Canyon, clubbing kit for Vegas, power adapters and more about what to pack for your tour… Suggested Packing List | Digital Memory Storage | Guide Books and Maps | Power Adapeters | Shoes and Footwear | Dressing up while on Tour Luggage …now where... read more >>

    37 comments | Saved 67 times

15. Tour and Travel Advice - New Zealand

    More Tour and Travel Advice for: Australia, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand Planning a Trip Away Choosing a tour | Tips on Saving for a Trip What to pack New Zealand can see four seasons in one day and choosing what to pack is an important decision. Suggested Packing List | Laptops | Digital Memory Storage | Guide Books and Maps | Power Adapeters | Shoes and Footwear Luggage Suitcases? Backpacks? Weight restrictions? More of what you need to... read more >>

    226 comments | Saved 21 times

16. Amsterdam Coffee Shops

    by – Matt Vernick, Tour Manager, Europe The liberal nature of the Dutch culture is a lure to many people who travel or tour the Netherlands as this free and open attitude as extends to the use of ‘soft’ drugs like marijuana and ‘magic’ mushrooms. While other ‘hard’ drugs were made illegal by the Dutch government in the 70’s, laws were never introduced banning these drugs and their use is tolerated in certain parts of Amsterdam. Al... read more >>

    34 comments | Saved 18 times

17. Amsterdam

    by – Matt Vernick, Tour Manager, Europe Amsterdam, (or the ’Dammage as many Contiki veterans like to call it) is the capital and largest city in the Netherlands. Surrounded by rings of man made canals, bridges and beautiful buildings it is a city abounding with almost surreal fantasy-like beauty. The liberal, laid back culture of the Dutch also adds a great deal to the appeal and vibe of this fun, friendly European capital. Bikes Buildings and Architecture Shopping Food and Drink ... read more >>

    73 comments | Saved 166 times

18. Where you stay - Time Out / Superior / Hotel Tours

    Contiki has chosen a wide range of accommodation in order for you to best appreciate what Europe has to offer. From a magnificent 4-star resort in Vienna, Austria, to a charming, medieval Chateau near Lyon, France – you’ll travel Europe in style. All are Superior/Time Out hotels are of excellent standard and are often centrally located. Wile our special resort hotels have been chosen for their particular character, ch... read more >>

    20 comments | Saved 190 times

19. Arc de Triomphe

    by – Matt Vernick, Tour Manager, Europe Commissioned by Napoleon almost 200 years ago as a tribute to his soldiers, the Arc De Triomphe, in the heart of Paris, France, is still today the most important war memorial to the French. The Arc resides in the middle of one of the biggest round-a-bout roads in the world with 12 of Paris’ major streets, including the Champs Elysees, leading into the Place Charles De Gaulle and the Arc. In a city filled with amazing sights, monuments and st... read more >>

    9 comments | Saved 23 times

20. Tour and Travel Advice - Europe

    More Tour and Travel Advice for: Australia, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand Planning a Trip Away Choosing a tour | Tips on Saving for a Trip What to Pack Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or taking your first big trip overseas, deciding on what to pack is an important decision. Suggested Summer Packing List | Suggested Winter Packing ListLaptops | Digital Memory Storage | Guide Books and Maps | Power Adapeters | Shoes and Footwear | Clothing Co... read more >>

    161 comments | Saved 503 times