A family friend asked me recently whether I would recommend their almost 18 year old daughter who’s not yet been overseas to go on a Contiki tour.
The word ‘Contiki’ to me has several connotations, and not many of which I was willing to divulge to two people whom were looking to me for sound parental advice for their beloved daughter. But it did get me thinking that yes, a Contiki tour is a great idea if you’ve never travelled before – the whole travel experience is pretty much served to you neatly on a plate without having to stress about accommodation, food or transportation, so it definitely has its perks for a nervous first time yoyager. But it’s certainly not for the faint hearted.
My first ever trip overseas was to Europe on a 17 night Contiki tour nearly 10 years ago, and since then I’ve well and truly caught the travel bug. Some people may have been unlucky enough to catch a lot more than that, but I think myself lucky that I took that trip and had probably in all honesty up to that point in my 20 years – the time of my life. I think the beauty of a trip like this when you’re so young is that it teaches you who you are – on a bus full of strangers there’s nowhere to hide, you’re thrown into situations you’ve probably never found yourself in (and perhaps never want to ever, ever again) and you’re forced to interact with all different people from all over the world. That’s not to say it’s not hard at times – it can be really tough when you’re tired, hungover and all you want is your own bed – but that feeling soon passes and before you know if you’re already enjoying what the next city has to offer.
So, to help anyone out there who may be umming and arring about partaking in the wonder that is the Contiki tour, I’ve put together a definitive list of tips for surviving a tour with 30 of your new best friends.
Do your research
There’s loads of tours out there, so find out which one’s for you…not everyone is going to be able to stomach a 5 week, 50 country trip stuck in tents in the middle of winter, so find one that suits your personality and budget.
Take a friend…or fly solo
I personally went with a close girlfriend, but met loads of people on our bus who had come alone, and they had an absolute blast. I don’t think there was one of them that didn’t look terrified on the first day, but by the end we were all one big happy family, and the ones who came alone were so glad that they had just had the courage to do it.
Build in some relaxation time before and after your trip
Pretty much all of the European Contiki tours start and finish in London at the same hotel, so check in a day or two early to bond with fellow travellers, and then again at the end to relive your most hilarious stories over a pint of Fosters. This can also help to begin to piece together the last couple of weeks of your life before boarding the plane home to reality.
Write a Journal
You wont remember a lot (and wont want to) the day after drinking your own weight in Germany’s finest ‘alcoholic sperm’ and hence the title of my post – you really shouldn’t be pondering the meaning of Shakespeare’s works during this trip, or handling heavy machinery for that matter.
Take as many pictures as you can
Ditto above…just remember to screen all photos before Nanna’s slideshow when you get back. You’ve been warned!
When it all gets a bit too much, just laugh
Three weeks on a bus can wear thin when you haven’t slept in days and the tour leader is taking you to see your 15th cathedral in just as many days, but just remember you’re there to have fun, and you’re TRAVELLING THE WORLD RIGHT NOW!! Enjoy it while it lasts!
Immerse yourself in the food and beverages of each country
Well, don’t actually immerse yourself…you get the picture. This could very well be your first trip abroad, so get stuck in and eat snails in France, drink schnapps in Austria and dance on tables in a coffee shop in Amsterdam.
Don’t buy too much crap
Trust me, you’re going to regret buying that tenth snow-dome of the Eiffel tower when you get home. Just.Put.It.Down.
Find a tour song, and sing it every day
Ours was ‘Leaving on a jet plane’, followed closely by ‘Roxanne’ which was probably the most relevant during our time in Amsterdam when all the boys on the bus decided they would try to master the art of the Sting falsetto. But having a tune to rock out to each morning when you get on the bus hungover, even if sung badly, really gets you excited about each coming day and by the end the very chorus will have you welling up and wishing it was never going to end.
Be prepared for this trip to REALLY get you addicted to travel
My maiden Contiki tour (yes, I’ve done two – but that’s a whole other story!) was one of the most enlightening experiences of my life – it opened the door to the possibility of further travel, and for that I will be eternally grateful. I’m not going to sugar coat it, but it’s going to be tough going home after all the fun you had, but just remember, the world’s your oyster, and after you’ve done Contiki you can do anything!
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I recently did a tour of Oktoberfest (not Contiki). Our tour song was “Stay Awake” by Example. Specifically these lines in the song (played over-and-over-and-over on tour):
“If we don’t kill ourselves we’ll be the leaders of a messed-up generation
If we don’t kill ourselves will they believe us if we tell them the reasons why
Do we take it too far, take it too far
Did we chase the rabbit into wonderland
There’s a hundred grand, will they understand
It was all to stay awake for the longest ”
The tour departed England, and we drove all the way to Austria. 20 hours driving time. Somehow the lyrics are appropriate… that and the copious amounts of drinking involved.
Oh yes, I know the drive from London to Austria well – I think that alcohol and singing are the only things that get you through it! Hope you had fun at Oktoberfest!
Of course! …the parts that I remember anyway.
And probably best you have forgotten the other bits right?!
Touche. Except now with Facebook, I keep get photographic reminders on new friends profiles.
As someone that worked as a guide throughout the US and Canada I can remember sharing the same lodging accomendation with Contiki tours at various locations around the US and at somepoint being excited to know they were nearby. Young people traveling is all about a good time. It just depends on the persons sense of self and security.
Hi Serone, couldnt agree more. Thanks for stopping by!