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10th May 2012
This might be a sort of random question for the Contiki forums but I figured there is a big depth of knowledge here so maybe I can get some help!
I want to go and live and work in America for a year with my boyfriend ( who is an American working in Seattle). My question is- is there some kind of working holiday arrangement that would allow me to do that? What are my options visa-wise?
I don’t want a green card because eventually we will live together in Australia but I just want to work there for a year in the interim while he ties up his affairs.
I really hope there’s a way I can do this because I don’t want to be separated again for a long period of time!
Any advice?
10th May 2012
Hi!
Im doing this tour in a few weeks but there are so many optional activities to choose from that I need some advice on which ones to do. Which do you suggest? Which don’t you suggest? Thanks!
10th May 2012
Hi all!
I’m from New York, NY and headed to Europe next week for 11 days. I’m super excited, but would love to get even more psyched by having a playlist of popular European songs. So far, I’ve just been listening to a lot of Yelle.
Any other suggestions for songs? Thanks so much!
10th May 2012
Hi,
need experienced travellers advise on:
1. What is the shower/toilet facility set up at the Youth Hotel, Contiki Special Stopovers, Contiki Villages? Army Style or more private?
2. The ‘Optiuonal Extras’
How much is… the Heineken tour in Amsterdam?
..Mountain Bike Tour in Tyrol?
..Moulin Rouge cabaret show?
..Gondola Ride in Venice?
..Lunch at the rest stop?
3. Is it complicated to get to the cities from where one stay? Out I’ve read is that the accommodation is not based in the cities.
4. Sleeping Bags are required. What about pillows?
5. Royal National Hotel? Is breakfast included when one is booked the night prior tour starts? If not where can one grap a quick snack?
6. How long is the trips with bus between cities?
7. Is it cheaper to do Optional Extras on your own compared to if Tour Manager organise it?
10th May 2012
Hi there,
I’ll be doing the LA to the Bay tour from 19-28 March. Just wondering what sort of temperatures to expect, and what clothes to pack?
Cheers
Michelle
10th May 2012
Hi everyone
For those of you who have stayed at Stovall’s Inn in Anaheim, I have a question.
I’m staying there for 10 days before doing LA to the Bay in a couple of weeks.
Do you know if they can organise tours etc for you around Anaheim/LA or if they can book transport from the hotel to LA, that sort of thing?
Also, I’ve read that it is a close walk to Disneyland, is this correct?
Thanks 
10th May 2012
Hi all I’m looking into the England/Scotland/Ireland tour for next year and I wondered if anyone could answer my question. If you’re booking your flights through contiki do you get a discounted rate… if so how much?
10th May 2012
I saw a cute tripod online. It attaches to the top of a bottle – handy for nights in the bar when you want to take a group picture. Or for a quick makeshift tripod..
http://www.compact-impact.com/contents/index.php?page=s…_virtuemart&Itemid=1
10th May 2012
My partner and I are wanting to travel overseas and we cannot decide which tour(s) to go on. We’d like to explore Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Greece. I know there are a few Italy tours, but we’d like to travel to as least a few countries on each tour.
Do we go on the Road to Athens tour, then go on the Spotlight on Greece tour/cruise? I know Road to Athens does not go to Spain and does not do a full “tour” of Italy. But stands out more than other tours.
Other tours we were thinking were – an Italy tour, then Rome to Athens.
We could do the European Explorer tour, however it’s a bit steep… we were hoping for something around $4500 altogether. Some tours don’t go to Rome or Pisa, France, Switzerland etc.
What do you guys think?
Has anyone been on the Vienna to Budapest tour? Anyone recommend this tour?
10th May 2012
I guess my post will get some response, and I have read some responses on other forums around the place on this site.
Here are some general questions, call them fears I have about an up and coming trip:
I am doing three Contiki trips in one, namely
America: LA to Vegas late december to christmas
America: New York New Years obvious
Europe: Winter Wanderer january
Asia: thru Feb (with another travel co)
I am not a fan of jeans, and my friend said it is better to take travel pants instead. I have purchased two pairs of travel pants to wear Will this be enough? What are peoples thoughts on wearing jeans on Contiki, particularly through Europe and its winter months?
I have had many confliciting stories about money, debit cards, credit cards etc. I have the facility to take credit cards from Westpac (namely Amex and Mastercard) and Visa from my local bank. Which of these is a better option, or are travellers cheques a better way to go. My preferred option would be to top up my Amex, is this safe, or is Mastercard more accepted in the world?
My tours have been planned with some time, but not much time, in between flying. What happens if a flight is delayed and you might miss the start of your tour? I hope this does not happen, but thought I would ask the question?
I plan on taking one pair of shoes, namely a massage type shoe called MBT which I have found to very comfortable, and one pair of Teva sandles. Will this be enough for the whole trip do you think? My friend suggested water proofing the shoes, which product will do this the best?
how do people go for internet access, particularly in hotels and other places? I like to check my email once every so often, and was wondering where the best place to do this in the world? Is it hotel rooms, or backpacker places, or where is it the cheapest and safest?
I have a mobile service with Vodafone in Australia. My friend told me of an issue where he tried to setup call roaming and went to Ireland with Vodafone, when half of the time it would not work? Should I take my own phone and turn on roaming, buy a new sim card, or buy a new phone in the country. The main purpose I guess will be to sms people back home, or in case of an emergency? What are peoples thoughts?
When people drink in bars, is there a problem with the beer and water coming out of taps eg for say coke post mix, or is it safer to buy from a bottle?
Did anyone ever have any scary stories of being drunk at night, in a place they didnt know, and found it very difficult to get back to their home base?
Is it better to share a room on Contiki tours, or is it better to stay alone? I have opted to have my own room in most cases. I know I am a bad snorer, anyone had any good or bad experiences with this?
How often do you get to actually clean your clothes and other possessions, and where are the best places to do this?
Well I am sure I have said enough questions, and I guess these apply to most trips, but thought I would ask away.
I await responses
acermanau aka Mat
10th May 2012
I’ve gone through the search function. However most posts were pretty old. I was wondering for someone coming from Sydney what are the best phone cards easily available, or websites which deliver worldwide.
Also as sims go if I purchase an overseas sim are there any good ones based on what you’ve used that can be used all across Europe and calling overseas with decent call rates/sms?
10th May 2012
Hello!
Didn’t see a topic like this yet….
Any advice on what to bring that you didn’t think you’d need when you left.
10th May 2012
Well i’m 18 n i’m goin on a european tour to london paris and amsterdam. how much money do u reckon i would need for the whole trip. like accomodation, travle, food etc etc??
10th May 2012
Hey i was looking in to taking a travelex cash card to america when i go but someone just warned me that the atms in america eat the cards alot and you are left stuck, just wondering if this actually happened to anyone. Thanks
10th May 2012
Arghhhh!
I’ve been told different start times by 2 different Contiki people now. I already booked my flights with the info I was given about starting @ 7pm for Greek Island Hopping and 6pm for Med Highlights Reverse (both on day 2 as per the Itinerary).
Now I’m told they meet in the afternoon. WHAT?!!
If anyone knows for sure, please let me know. I don’t want to keep messing with my flights.
Thanks!
10th May 2012
simply italy
has anyone done the transfer from the airport to the hotel? and back?
how does it work?
10th May 2012
hi
I’m a 22 year old girl who wants to take a camping tour this summer.
I have a question.
am I too old to take the tour?
I read some posts about camping tour, and I found that most of people in camping tour are around 18,, is that right?
and could you please give me your feedback on your tour experiences?
thanks natalie
10th May 2012
hello i want 2 go to australia and i dont know where to go! i want 2 do a week or so with contiki then stay out there for a week or 2 any suggestions?
10th May 2012
I’m planning on going to New Zealand and Australia through Contiki by doing the Grand Explorer, Reefs and Rainforests and Alice and Uluru. I hear amazing things about Contiki but I’m a little worried about booking 3 tours all at once in case I dont. Does anyone find it too rushed in certain places? I want to get the full experience in each city.
Also, how much money would one bring for food/going out on these trips?
10th May 2012
OK, so I found the 16-day camping tour on here, which excites me because it’s the only Contiki tour that goes to Belgrade and Sarajevo.
So I look in my brochure book….no camping trips. On the web site: NO information on what kind of camping this is. I mean, is this camping in the woods in tents? Do I need to bring my own tent? Will I be cooking food over an open fire? Will I be foraging for berries in the woods? Will I not shower for 16-days and be stinky?
Anybody?
Sorry. I live in Florida. Due to bugs, snakes, and gators, we don’t camp here.
P.S. I just heard gun shots really nearby. Life in the ghetto.
