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10th May 2012
Hi Guys,
First time traveller to europe, i’m looking at all the different tours and im pretty keen on the european escapde but im pretty sure work is only going to give me time off work around dec/jan. Ideally, id love to go over to europe in summer, but just wondering if its even worth going over in winter?
I’m 19, love to party but also want to do all the touristy things and meet new people.
Would you suggest going in Summer or Winter???
Thanks heapsss!!! 
10th May 2012
I’m going to be doing the european discovery in sept, and I plan on getting alot of souvenir’s that I wont have room to carry. Since I’ve never been out of the US, I was wondering if anyone knows if its a good idea to mail breakables home (i.e. wine, beer steins, etc.), about how much it costs, how long it may take, and if there are any other things I need to know (i.e. best places to mail from).
thanks!
10th May 2012
What’s the best one to do? Full on glacier walk or the flying fox option?
10th May 2012
Hi Everyone! I am interested in doing one of the long-term European campaing trips this summer because they are so affordable but I am wondering if anyone can tell me more about the camping sites. I am most worried about my valuables. Are there lockers anywhere we can look up our money, credit cards, ipods, cameras, etc.? Also, is there anywhere you can charge your cameras, mobile phones, ipods? Yes, I know it’s camping and it will include roughing it but if my valuables get stolen then it will make for a really bad trip. What are the bathrooms like? Can anyone tell me more about European camping with contiki? Thanks, guys!
10th May 2012
So it had a fire. Does anybody know the extent of the fire, and whether it will still be worth visiting in July? I know its open, but are most of the attractions still open?
10th May 2012
Hi everybody!
I just posted something about swimming with dolphins and whale watching, but I wanna share informations about those activities with everyone who is interested in.
I’ll go to Grand Explorer reverse on the 18th of december.
Contiki doesn’t go to Kaikoura, a very famous city quite close to Christchurch (about 3 hours by coach), where you can have awesome dolphins encounters (4 hours cruise with 2 hours swimming with huge groups of dolphins) and whale watching (3 hours and half cruise). It would be quite difficult to go there for both activities (it is supposed to spend one night there, but I prefere to come back to Christchurch as soon as possible), so I have to choose between the two: swimming with dolphins is a baby’s dream, but my husband really wanna see Whales and orchs passing over there exactly in december (what a case?!).
Did anybody go there?
Did anybody go to Bay of Islands’ cruise (Contiki’s optional) where it is supposed (weather permitting) to swim with dolphins? Is it a good chance to see and swim with dolphins? if so, I wouldn’t need to go to Kaikoura for it (just for whales)..
Any help would be appreciate!
Thanks!
10th May 2012
Hi there,
I booked this Budget tour going July, 22 days. Can someone tell me if i really need a sleeping bag. Contiki booklet said one is required on Scandinavia tours.
Thanks,
10th May 2012
Where do you stay in Boston, Toronto, Quebec & Montreal? Just want to get an idea of what part of the city we are gonna be in!
10th May 2012
hi there guys november last year i did the grand southern and had an ablosute blast ,not in august i wanna do the grand northern before heading to europe for a 45 day tour,so can anyone who has been on grand northen just give me some of your advice or let me know if you guys enjoed it?thanks so much
10th May 2012
Hi all, i’m considering doing my first contiki tour next August, and am debating between the budget & superior tours. I’m a bit of a party animal when I travel, even though I’ll be almost 30 by the time I take off. I’d like to meet some good people who are in the same stage of life as i am, and i really like having my own space, which is what i like about the superior tour, however, i’m afraid i might get bored. Sounds like the superior tours are more for couples…any thoughts?
10th May 2012
Hi, I’m doing the 46 day camping tour in August and am just trying to do a bit of research…can anyone tell me how long it takes to travel from Barcelona to the French Riviera? Seeing it doesn’t mention much else on the itinerary for this day I’m thinking I’ll probably be travelling for most of it? Any info would be appreciated 
10th May 2012
I’m going on the Vienna to Budapest 5 day tour in March.
How much spending money is recommende (including money for lunches and dinners not included, transport to and from airports)?
I’ll be taking my debit card to withdraw money should I need it but how much should I take to begin with?
Cheers.
10th May 2012
After experiencing the Italian Espresso a little while ago, I thought I would post some advice for future travellers….
I was travelling by myself, so thought I would share a room with someone I didn’t know. What could be that harm in that I thought to myself… I might make a lifelong friend… or just someone in a similar position that I could share the experience.
This was not to be the case… I got stuck with an angry chain smoking Russian! This bird who I had to share my room with was extremely rude, smoked in the hotel room before you went to bed, used my toiletries and then complained they weren’t good enough for her high standards. Not the most complimentary person in the world… So to conclude my little rant there… don’t share a room with someone you don’t know. You might end up with a nightmare for a room mate like I did and not be able to do anything about it. Pay the extra to have a room to yourself!
The next point… the hotels were not the most luxurious in the world. European hotels are a totally different standard to what you would recieve in Australia, New Zealand and the US. The hotels on this trip a quite small. The rooms were very compact as well as the bathrooms. Most of the hotels are very old and have been around for decades. A lot did not have lifts. So be prepared to carry your suitcases up the stairs. Also, the hotels were not located close to the centre of town. There were very little convenience stores and restaurants close to the hotels… if any.
The coach we travelled on was very nice and a good ammount of leg room. One day we did about 8 hours of travelling and were able to watch a movie on the way. The tour directors are really good in entertaining and informing about the history and sights of the country.
One thing I would let people know is too get ready to experience the Italian toilets while your travelling. Petrol stations and rest stops are quite dirty. The majority of them don’t have toilet seats.. so you have to hover over the bowl. Not very nice for girls! I recomend taking some of that hand sanitiser stuff with you. Oh and something els you might like to know… sometimes there is a fee to go to the loo! Up to 2 euro I paid in some places!
Make sure you take your walking shoes on tour with you. Make sure they are nice and comfy, because the roads and paths in Europe are pretty bumpy and uneven. Make sure you take enough undies etc with you.. because there isn’t a lot of time to do any washing on tour. You really only spend 1 or 2 nights in a hotel.
Oooh.. one other thing.. I would recomend arriving a night early to get over the jet lag. Flying takes a lot out of you… and you want to be bright and bushy tailed for the start of your tour!
I hope these words of wisdom helped…! Have a great trip!
10th May 2012
. I just did a six day tour and I was totally not satisfied with the optional extras of the excursion at all. It is pretty much a waste of time, food and drink were average, the accomodation was okay, but just in general save yourselves some cash in summer and just head out or up the coast in Queensland! May aswell!
10th May 2012
Im doing the La to the Bay in march, just wondering what sort of clothes i will need? if anyone can help
10th May 2012
Hey, just wondering what things i need to take on the plane…i know you have to pack extra clothes and things incase your luggage goes missing, but i’m not sure what other bits and pieces i should take…
i was thinking:
- comfy clothes to change into on the plane
- clothes to change into for when i arrive in London
- spare clothes (in case bags go awol)
- book
- ipod & charger
- mobile & charger
- camera
- journal & pencil case
- Toiletirs (moisturiser, lip balm, toothbrush, toothpaster, deodorant)
What am i missing??!! Anything i should take off the list?
Thanks guys
10th May 2012
Just borrowing this thread from the Europe board as im More curious to see how many US Tours Get Cancelled…
Tour Name:
Tour Date:
Date it was cancellled:
10th May 2012
What is the best way to get to the Best Western Stovall’s Inn Hotel from LAX airport? I am doing the Western Highlights on the 6th Dec so I arrive on the 5th Dec. I have heard that Taxi’s cost a bomb due to long distance I don’t wanna waste my spending money on Taxis if there are other alternatives. Can any one help I am Desparate to find this out before I go!!!!!
Cheers
Hippychick78
