Welcome to Contiki Talks, your guide, teacher, and sensei who will answer all your most pressing Contiki questions! From basic concerns about what to pack, to questions about safety and travel etiquette, Contiki Talks is your expert with all the answers. Kind of like a wise little grandma with all the secrets to life…
We asked you to write your questions to Contiki Talks and this month we’re tackling all your pre-departure questions like what to pack, how much money to put aside, and more. Don’t worry, as long as you follow this advice, your Contiki won’t break the bank or your back. Just read on and get ready for the time of your life!
“Can we pay for Free Time Add-Ons on the trip? On a day with multiple add-ons can you do all of them or can you only choose one?”
As a general rule, you will pay for any Free Time Add-Ons (FTAs) you’d like to participate in while on your trip. Payment for FTAs is taken well in advance of the actual day they are happening on, usually on the first few days of your trip. Most FTAs cannot be cancelled within 48 hours either, so just make sure this is an activity you’re really set on doing (though, why wouldn’t you be!), as you may not be able to get a refund.
If a day on your trip has multiple FTAs you can book more than one depending on the timings and locations. If there are two FTAs happening at the same time, like certain adventure activities in Queenstown, New Zealand, then you will have to choose one over the other. But if one FTA is in the morning and the other is in the afternoon you will be able to book both!
If there are multiple FTAs you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to talk to your Trip Manager about this as they’ll be able to offer you guidance and support in getting these booked or figuring out which ones to prioritise.
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“I’m so excited but so stressed about packing and bringing the right things – what do I pack?”
What you pack is up to you, but here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Our Contiki coaches have a weight limit, so make sure your suitcase doesn’t weigh any more than 20kg/44lb
- Please limit your luggage to one suitcase per passenger and one backpack to bring with you onboard
We have plenty of packing guides available for you to check out for extra help, as well as a guide to using packing cubes so you can make your folding super effective!
You should take into account the season in which you’re travelling, and the location – don’t forget the difference between Northern and Southern hemispheres as well! If you’re travelling in Greece in June, for example, you’ll want to keep your outfits light: bring lots of short sleeves, linens, and of course your bathing suit for dips in the sea. If you’re travelling to Thailand in August, you’ll be quite warm, so short sleeves are essential, but you should also back some more modest options if you’re visiting any temples or religious sites.
Even if you’re travelling in summer, sunshine isn’t always a guarantee, so we also recommend you always have at least one jumper and even a raincoat in case the weather takes a turn.
Most Contiki trips include at least one nice dinner and maybe even a party night or two, so pack a few outfits you’ll feel comfortable in on a night out.
Other items you shouldn’t forget:
- Comfortable walking shoes: you’ll most likely be doing a lot of city tours and even a few hikes, so avoid the blisters and pack shoes that’ll provide maximum comfort.
- A beach towel: hotels often provide towels for you, but hostels may not, so it’s good to have one just in case. And if you’re planning on swimming anywhere, you’ll need something to dry off with.
- A cross-body bag: or any small bag that you can take with you on walks around the city or natural landscapes. A backpack is great to store all your travel documents, chargers, books, and whatever other accessories you bring, but they can be a pain to lug around. A simple cross-body bag will be your best friend!
- A reusable water bottle: it’s better to have one handy on your person so that you can refill your drink as you go instead of buying plastic water bottles at every stop. You’ll be saving yourself some money and saving the world extra pollution.
“Is tipping the Trip Manager on Contiki essential?”
While it’s not an enforced rule, tipping both your Trip Manager and Driver is encouraged. The amount you decide to tip each of them is completely up to you, and generally your Trip Manager will walk you through the whole process on the last day anyway. To give you an idea, the usual tipping amount is 3€ (or whichever currency you’re using) per day, but again, the total amount you tip is up to you, and our Trip Managers and Drivers will be grateful either way.
Your Trip Manager and Driver will be essential parts of your Contiki journey as they serve as your guides, planners, and chauffeurs, so even if you can’t leave a tip, any sign of gratitude, be it a local gift or thank you card, is always appreciated.
