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10th May 2012
I just found out that not only do you need a passport, but you also need a visa. I got mine electronically through contiki. I wasn’t aware that you needed and electronic visa. I thought all you needed was a passport. I just wanted to pass this info. along in case ya’ll didn’t know.
10th May 2012
I’m going on the European Magic leaving Aug 7th. Does anyone know if there are any beach oppourtunities or if any of the hotels have pools.
10th May 2012
Thinking of doing a budget multi-country euro tour. Accommodation is a mix of hotels, hostels and contiki special stop overs.
I was wondering if Contiki’s chateau, chalet and gasthof have bathrooms in each room? How about the contiki village? Is a sleeping bag a must bring? What’s the bathroom situation for the villages?
Can someone enlighten me about these exclusive contiki accommodations?
Thanks!
10th May 2012
Hi there….a friend of mine who just came back from Italy sent me the following email with some tips for me….I thought her feedback was so awesome, that I’d share it with all of you!!
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Hi!
Italy was beautiful! Definitely charge up your camera, bring an extra battery and memory stick!
I didn't take any pics inside the Sistene Chapel, it's not allowed. But, there were lots of people who managed to sneak in a pic or two before a security guard gently slapped their wrists. A tip - the SC is actually in the Vatican Museums, NOT the big line up that you see when you first get to the Vatican in front of St. Peter's square (that line up is to get into the basilica or climb the steps to the cupola). I visited the SC at the end of my trip and I'm embarrassed to say that I was already a little mind-numbed from seeing so much art and learning so much history, that I didn't fully appreciate the Vat Museums, although I did spend over an hour on a bench in the SC staring at the ceiling. We had a guidebook and read about the ceiling while in there, and it outlined each section of the ceiling's meaning/history. Lots of people had audioguides, which I expect would have been better than our book. The SC is at the very END of the Vat museum, so expect that it will take a long time to get there, especially if you want to see everything. Someone told me to head straight to the SC, then see everything else on the way back out. DON'T TRY THAT!!!! lol Once you get to the SC, you are only supposed to go one way, and that is out. You'd be a fish swimming upstream, if it were even possible, to go back out the same way you came in. It's also pretty narrow and stuffy in lots of areas of the museums. If you want to see the SC, expect to devote at the very least half a day, and that's with a short lineup and if you speed through the rest of the museum.
The basilica... if you want to do the cupola (the very top of the dome, you have a view of Rome from up there), be prepared that there are a LOT of stairs going up. Something like 550. I nearly died, but I'm not in good shape. It's 5 euro if you do all the steps, 7 if you take the elevator for the first 200 or so (we took the stairs, but nobody stopped us from usnig the elevator on the way down). At times, it's extremely narrow (my elbows could touch both sides of the hallway), at times it's very steep, at times it's very slanty, and there are not very many "rest" areas on the way up/down if there are lots of people going at once. There is a gift shop half way up (after the elevator) that sells jewelry and other souvenirs that you can't get elsewhere. My friend bought 100 euro of chains and charms for her granddaughters. Pretty. Also halfway up is a refreshment area, bathroom and water fountain. For me, it was once in a lifetime, because I can't imagine the ordeal of going up there again. The view though, is incredible.
The inside of the basilica is pretty amazing. I don't have words to describe it. I could have spent the entire day in there. There is so much detail, so much ornate work, so much history that it was near impossible to take in, despite hours of being in there.
The Coloseum. For me, this was MY must-see. I would definitely pay to go on a guided tour again. If you don't, and just go in on your own, it's something like 10 euro, but there's nothing inside that tells the story of the building. You just walk around it (although, in awe!). If you're not already traveling with a guide/group, chances are you'll be approached about a guided tour while you're standing in line. We got in much faster doing this, and we had a 90 minute guided tour for an extra 11 euro (21 total). Our tour also included a tour of the ruins across the street, but we missed the beginning of it because I was too busy taking pics of the Coloseum.
For one of your days, you might want to just wander the streets. I was skeptical when told this, but it's true. There's so much to see, and a lot of it in walking distance. We had a map from our hotel and just mapped out a big loop. You could see the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, the "wedding cake" building, the market place, and Piazza Navona all in one day of walking. Plus, in between, you'd see lots of interesting buildings, piazzas and pass some cute shops. Definitely bring good walking shoes that are comfy. The streets are cobblestone, and while they are charming, they can also wreak havoc on your feet/ankles if you are wearing the wrong shoes. (Don't try to walk to the Vatican from this area, well unless you're in shape... lol I'm not, so it felt really long and far for me).
Florence - sadly, I only spent around 6 hours there. It's BEAUTIFUL. I'd spend time walking the river area. There is lots of shopping there! When I went, there was a loooooong lineup to see the David, and since our time was limited, I opted not to see it, and instead went to Piazza Michelangelo instead, where the replica of the David is, and where you have panoramic views of the city - I don't regret it. The other big must-see after the David, is the Duomo. The big chuch in the middle of the city. Again, I'm embarrassed to say that I skipped that too. I'd learned so much history in such a short time, I was content to wander the streets and snap lots of pictures.
I know this is long, but let me think of other tips/suggestions.....
- not sure if you'll need it, but public transport is very easy - trains and busses are super cheap there and drivers seemed more than happy to help us get on the right bus whenever we needed it.
- bring sunscreen - I couldn't find any while there
- if you use a digital cam, bring everything you need for it. My coworker didn't bring her charger or an extra battery, and because of the make, couldn't get a replacement. The closest she found was a generic charger for 70 euro, which she'd have to use a converter to plug in at home in Canada.
- that said, bring a power converter if you have stuff to plug in. I bought a Brookstone all-in-one at Toronto airport for about $30.
- we were told NOT to touch people. I know it sounds obvious, but we were told native Italians are very conscious of their personal space.
- things are very slow in Italy. Service, waiters, everything. Try to factor that into your day's plans.
- if you're lactose intolerant, bring lots of lactaid pills (I am). There is cheese in EVERYTHING, and I don't think lactose intolerance is known about over there.
- regarding jetlag, (I don't know where you're flying from), but it's a 5 hour time difference from TO. I found it easiest to sleep on the plane (my flight was overnight) and once I got to Rome (11am), I just stayed up until bedtime.
- plan on bringing cash. I didn't find that a lot of places used debit, and only some businesses used credit cards.
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10th May 2012
I’ve got two stops (LA and Dallas-Fort Worth)with connecting flights en route to New Orleans, and am just wondering how it all works these days? Used to be that your bags were transferred from place to place automatically, but now is it the same as some other places I’ve been where you have to find and transfer your own bags every single step of the way?
10th May 2012
So I recently finished a fantastic European tour, and decided a job as a contiki site rep would be a lot of fun and very rewarding.
I’m thinking about doing another tour around this time next year, and then I would like to attend the interviews in London in January ‘10. However I noticed in the job info section it says you need a euro/uk passport.
Does this mean all the aussies/canadians/new zealanders I saw working for contiki have european/british parents, or have worked in europe for so long beforehand that they acquire passports? Surely there’s a way for me to get a job for contiki without having to live in the uk for 3 years?
Just wondering if anyone has any info on the subject, would be greatly appreciated!
10th May 2012
I am not sure how much of what to pack for my Beaches & Reefs tour starting Apr. 20.
Jeans, t-shirt and light jacket for Sydney, then shorts and t-shirts for going further north?
How much walking do you actually do? Do you need sport sandals or just flip-flops?
How many outfits for evening wear?
If anyone has been on this or similar tour, please let me know as my suitcase is already getting pretty full and I’m not finished packing yet.
I’ve seen the packing list, but what have you taken?
Thanks
10th May 2012
To all previous travelers: your help with this would be greatly appreciated. We are arriving a day earlier to Athens, but would hate to repeat the Contiki Athens Day tour. Anyone remember what was shown or toured with the local travel guide that second day? Thanks!
Also, anyone going on the May 6th to May 19th tour? We got five crazies from Miami and one crazy chica from LA going!
10th May 2012
hey guys, i plan on travelling throughout europe late may-late july/early august and then settle in london til november-ish time. whats the weather like through europe between late may til november? how hot is the summer? can it compare to our aussie summer or no where near? what clothing do u recommend to pack for their summer? cheers.
10th May 2012
Hi everyone! I’m going on the Beaches and Reefs Tour starting August 12th. I was limited with how much time I could take off with work, so I’m only going to be in Sydney for one day before the tour and in Cairns for one day after. I know that’s not enough to see both cities fully, but for those who have been there, what are the must-haves that you would recommend doing if you only could spend one day in each of the cities? Thanks!
10th May 2012
Hi All
I am travelling from Brisbane to New York in June via LA and I recently went to find out about the shuttle service. I will be arriving Terminal 7 but apparently what I have to do is go to the ground transportation desk next to baggage claim and call the super shuttle from there(as it is located in another terminal). Is it not like LA where you just walk out and hop into one? I just don’t fancy waiting around for ages as I will have been travelling for 26 + hours and will be utterly buggered!
Thanks to all in advance!
lisa
10th May 2012
Hay,
We are going on the European Encounter on the 17th May 2009 and just had a few questions.
What is the weather like around this time? Any chance of snow? I know it’s going into Summer but i have heard the weather is unpredictable?
Does this tour go to the Swarvoski factory?
Roughly what time do you get into Paris?
I am thinking of staying in Paris on the last day rather than going back to London, has anyone done this? Do you think it’s worthwhile?
*Do you get to see the windmills and clogs?
Thanks for any advice 
10th May 2012
My fiance and I are seriously considering the European Discovery trip for our honeymoon next May/June 07. I was curious if anyone had gone on one of these tours for their honeymoon and how it went and any concerns or bonuses about using these tours for honeymoons. We really want to go to Europe but we are afraid if we go independently A. It will cost too much and B. we will miss some great stuff because neither of us has ever been. Any advice would be great. We need to make a decision soon.
Thanks
10th May 2012
hey guys,
i lknow the rules are same sex room partners but if u meet a boy and wanna send the night or 2 in the same room is is it possible? and is there lots of sneakinbg around to get to the (girls room or vice verser?) any info please
dont get me wrong im not looking for that its just an incase thing xxxx
10th May 2012
Does anyone know if we need to bring a sleeping bag on the budget (hostel) tours? I didnt think so, just because we’re sleeping in hostels not camping out in camp sites. Am I wrong? I’m planning on doing the Contrasts tour but I dont want to lug around a huge sleeping bag. Someone please clarify! Much appreciated!!
10th May 2012
sooo, im in the process of getting ready a playlist for my grand northern tour in may/june and was wondering if people could give me any advice to some gooood songs to add to the playlist. id prefer more recent songs if possibe, but if its a classic then ill happily waiver this lol
Sandra
10th May 2012
Hi,
has anyone stayed here. Im looking to stay for a week after my contiki in July 09.
Im a bit concerned there are no lockers in the room for your bags- will this be ok.
Im a newbie to hestelling- is there anything I should know- if you have anyt tips that would be great.
Is it always better to get a room with less people- say 6-8 than a 10 bed dorm?
thanks
10th May 2012
hey all.
Just wondering if anyone is going at those dates? im going alone and im a little freaked out and worried. but thats just me, lol.
Im also really annoyed becasue im gonna bein paris the week before and only have a small bag to take, becasue my suitcases are too big, so i can only take my cabin bag!!! for the whole week of paris AND the contiki tour! and then i still cant go back to where i live, becasue im on a gap year and my school i work out is in the middle of nowhere and realy far away from the place im going to after the contiki tour. im so screwed!!!
Anyway,
I cant wait to meet some awesome new buddies. Let me know if youre going when i am!
Luv
KK
10th May 2012
Firstly, I am going on a European Whirl tour this summer. My initial plan was to take travellers cheques, but from reading the FAQs and information, it’s obviously not the right choice.
I don’t know what to use this summer – I am not old enough to have a visa or mastercard, and my debit card doesn’t even work in the US (im from Canada). I’d rather not carry around all my money, it’s too much of a risk. What should I do?
10th May 2012
I want to a concept/budget tour in May 2010. I want to a European Highlights tour. I have a couple questions
1. I know the Australian prices and date came out, but is are prices lower or higher than 09 prices
2. Are the accommodations in concept/budget tours any good or plain bad…and are they secure?
3. Im going to be 23 years old, is that kinda old to be doing concept/budget tour. I heard those trips are made for a younger crowd.
