Contiki Review: How my London to Athens adventure gave me memories for a life time

After graduating high school, I wasn’t just unsure about a degree or career, I was completely lost. I needed clarity, not just about what I wanted to do, but about who I wanted to be. I craved something that could shake me out of the fog.

I’ve always loved to travel, but this time I needed more than just a change of scenery. I needed adventure. A reset. A new sense of self something the classroom just couldn’t give me.

So, my best friend, Ally, and I did the only thing that made sense: we booked Contiki’s iconic London to Athens trip. One month. Six countries. Let’s just say… It was the beginning of something unforgettable.

Paris: Wine, Wonder, and the Eiffel Tower

We kicked off our trip in true Contiki fashion, boarding the coach at the crack of dawn in rainy London. I still remember the nervous energy buzzing through everyone as we left the city behind. But it didn’t take long for that energy to shift.

We arrived in Paris late that evening, and Ally and I wasted no time diving into the city. We found a tiny French bistro tucked between locals and ordered a few drinks. Later that night, with just enough wine in us, we made our way to the Eiffel Tower. We got there just in time for the clock to strike midnight and the lights to start twinkling. No photo needed, it’s burned into my memory. It felt like we’d finally stepped into the world we’d always dreamed of.

The next day, we wandered with no plans just soaking it all in. We stumbled across gardens, admired the Louvre from the outside, and found the best pastries on quiet side streets. That evening, our group met for dinner and a cabaret show, and on a whim, I tried escargots for the first time. I was hesitant, but to my surprise, they were actually really good, buttery, and a little garlicky. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

And wow, the cabaret show. Every second was worth the ticket price. We danced, we laughed, and we bonded like we’d known each other forever. Watching everyone let loose that night felt like the perfect way to kick off the adventure of a lifetime.

Barcelona: Tapas, Flamenco, and Full-Volume Britney

By the time we hit Barcelona, lifelong friendships were already locked in. Contiki had planned a tapas night followed by a flamenco show that completely stole my heart. Picture this: a long table packed with new friends, passing around unfamiliar dishes, heels hitting the stage, music echoing through the room, that’s what travel is all about.

The girls at my table and I were giggling like school kids, totally in the moment. And let me tell you, the coach ride home? I still think about it. The coach was loaded with speakers, and they were well used. The ride back turned into a full-blown karaoke concert, with the entire group screaming “Toxic” by Britney Spears at the top of our lungs.

Later that night, we hit the clubs hard, bar crawling like pros and ending with a chaotic, delicious post-club McDonald’s run.

Switching into travel guide mode for a second: Barcelona wasn’t the safest city I’ve been to. But by that point, our group had become a tight little unit, the kind where no one gets left behind. And honestly, that sense of trust made all the difference.

Nice & Monaco: Glamour, Casinos, and Grand Prix Dreams

We rolled into Nice, and it quickly became one of my favourite stops. Although we didn’t spend the night with the full Contiki crew, we made the most of it, walking along the beach, judging yachts like locals, soaking in the glamour.

Then came Monaco, and honestly, it felt like stepping into a Bond film. As an F1 fan, seeing the Grand Prix prep in real life was surreal. I even stepped into my first-ever casino in Monte Carlo. The luxury, the energy, the money, it was another world. From seeing the palace to driving the starting grid and walking through the tunnel, it was a short visit that left a lasting impression.

Venice to Florence: Gondolas, Gelato, and Chaos

From France to Italy, but more importantly, to Venice.

Rain didn’t ruin a thing. We cruised the canals, hunted for gelato, and wandered into every jewelry shop we could find. Okay—yes—the smell of Venice is not exaggerated. But the charm made up for it. Between the gondola rides, a spontaneous group decision to buy matching jewelry, and laughter echoing off the water, it became a city full of unforgettable moments.

Next: our chaotic photo contest at the Leaning Tower of Pisa (10/10 for creativity), then off to Florence, the home of leather, serious charm, and true art. We visited a real leather workshop, which made my suitcase a lot heavier. Florence stole a piece of my heart. Ally and I spent the day walking through gardens, surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen.

To top it off? A night out in Florence that involved a few too many limoncello shots and a karaoke session I’ll never forget (or live down). I may or may not have screamed my way through “Toxic” again. The photos from that night are as horrifying as they are iconic — pure chaos in the best possible way.

One of my favourite memories? Running through Florence at midnight, trying to rent scooters and failing miserably because we couldn’t speak Italian. It’s those small, stupidly funny moments that stick.

Rome to Greece: Garbage Glamour and Ferry Chaos

Next up was Rome. There’s something sacred about that city. The history alone is overwhelming, from tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain to dodging pickpockets in the buzzing streets. We had our classic photo shoot at the fountain, but in true Italian fashion, we also posed with a glamorous pile of garbage. Don’t ask… just embrace the chaos.

Then came the ferry. We were the last in line and had to sprint like maniacs to make it. But this wasn’t just a ferry it was basically a cruise ship. We shared a tiny room (and even tinier beds) with two of the best Australians I’ve ever met. It was chaotic, hilarious, and somehow weirdly cosy.

That is, until we were abruptly woken up at 6 a.m. by announcements in every language you can imagine. It was like being jolted awake by a multilingual alarm clock from hell. But honestly? It was all part of the magic.

Our Last Night in Greece: Full Circle

Our final night in Greece was one of those moments where everything just clicked, like the universe had gently nudged us into the exact place we were meant to be. Contiki had organised one last dinner, a final hurrah for our crew. Everything about it felt perfect: the Greek food, the plate-smashing, the music, the dancing.

That night wasn’t just a celebration of Greece, it was a celebration of us. The friendships we’d built, the stories we now shared, and the versions of ourselves we’d quietly grown into along the way.

I’ve always loved travel, but this trip gave me more than just stamps in a passport. It gave me life advice I didn’t know I needed. It gave me people who inspired me without even trying. And it gave me memories I’ll carry forever.

Travel isn’t just about ticking off destinations. It’s about discovering new sides of yourself, learning how other people live, and embracing ideas that challenge the way you think. It’s about getting a little lost and learning to love the mess. Because trust me, that’s where the best memories are born.

So if you’re on the edge, nervous or unsure, go anyway. Say yes to the adventure. Show up open. Laugh too loud. Miss the ferry. Eat the snails. Scream Britney Spears in a bar in Florence. And don’t be afraid to come back a little messier than when you left.

You might just return with a whole new family tucked into your heart.