I've been reading a lot of other forums, and it seems that the tour managers can be really touch and go....we better get a really awesome TM!

There's a lot of info on these forums, isn't there? I've been directed to a lot of pretty useful products (like my new backpack that just arrived yesterday, complete with slashproof everything and portable safe inside it), and also learned a lot about what to expect on the tour itself (travel times, locations of the hotels etc). None of these things would have meant that I don't enjoy my trip, but I think I will enjoy it all the more when I am prepared for the not-so-good elements.

As for the tour managers - I can't see that they would be able to put an inexperienced or controversial tour manager on such a long tour. I might be wrong (I hope not though), but I would have thought the fresh TMs would start out on shorter tours, and the bad ones weeded out before they took on the longer trips.

The tour manager won't be able to please every one all the time either, so I'm just going to be pro-active and make sure I know whats going on.

wooooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooo we made our final payment today for the trip. time is really flying. i am scared about getting my bag to be less than 20kgs, lol lol lol. and.......... woooooooooo hooooooooo we have more 'newies' on our trip. WELCOME
i know that it is going to sound a bit 'wank', but, i will be picking my drinking times carefully. we have some huge days on the bus, and i hate the thought of a bus toilet blocked up with spew, lol lol lol. i will, without a doubt be letting you all know if i am hung over and grumpy!!!!!!!! lol lol lol. and i dont drink beer, so i plan on just buying a 'mug' of beer and swinging it in the air, dancing and looking like i am drunk!!!!!lol.i do however drink other alcohol, but as i said, it will be a well thought out process as to when its wise to have lots to drink.
i too am hoping our tour manager/driver and whoever else is going to be great.
its so great that we have all got into the spirit, keep it all going

Yeah I agree, i'd hate to be vomiting all over the bus! I think the nights when we're staying in Mykonos will be pretty huge since we dont have to do anything except sit by the beach and start drinking again, so those might be the nights that get blurred

I'm not a beer drinking either but all i've heard is that the beer over there is amazing so now i cant wait to try it.

I just cant wait to get over there now im so excited!

I fancy a beer or three myself, so I am looking forward to trying the beers as well as the signature type drink around the place... like the wine in France, grappa in Italy and Ouzo in Greece.

I've heard that Mykonos does lend itself to some heavy partying - and not having to get back on the bus for a couple of days could mean things get a little crazy!

I agree with you as well Kath. As much as I love having a good time, I could think of nothing worse then being hangover on the bus!! I think I'll just have to attempt to pace myself throughout the trip!! Beer is what I usually drink - my family is german so it's basically a family law that you will be a beer drinker!! But as Donno said, I'll be pretty keen to try the signature drinks of each place as well!
I am so worried about the 20kg limit as well. everytime I go somewhere I always overpack! But I spose whatever i don't take with me I could always buy it over there.

Hi everyone,
My name is Alison and my husband, Justin and I have just booked this tour. We are both 30 and live in Melbourne.
I have done a Contiki Concept tour of Europe with my sister a few years ago so if you have any questions let me know.
Can't wait!

Welcome Alison!
I got my final documents yesterday which lists all our hotels and stuff, and the mykonos one looks AMAZING

http://www.aphrodite-mykonos.gr/

Its so close now, i fly out to London in 32 days

hi everyone
and hi alison and justin, hooray another married couple!!!!!!!!!!!!
47 days to gooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
i have joined the facebook thingy too and i want to encourage everyone else to. its a great idea, so we have an idea of what everyone looks like if not for anything else, lol.

Wow, less than 5 weeks until I fly out now! And only 47 days until we'll all be on tour!!!

I've just started to try and work out hwo I'm going to take / access my money over there. I haven't got a credit card, but I'm thinking I might apply for one of these no fee, no international charge ones so I don't get hit with 15 different fees when I use ATM's over there. What are your plans?

I know, its getting so close now!! Cant wait!!

Ive put most of my money on a travel card, i got mine from my bank or you can get one from Travelex. There's a 1% fee on the amount of money you deposit and the exchange rate always stays the same. When you withdraw using the travel card, you will get charged a $3.00 fee which works out better though than using your credit card because they charge a $5.00 fee plus conversion fees everytime you withdraw.

I hope this helps!

I've been wondering about money too, I've got e debit credit card so that will work at ATMs but like Maryann said they'll slug me with a big fee everytime i take money out. So i think i'm just going to have to get out a week's worth of money at a time and stash it in a few different places so im not carrying all of it at on me at the one time.

I'm pretty sure i have enough money but i'm still stressing! So i've decided i'll get an actual credit card too, just for emergencies....like more shoes/clothes/booze haha

26 days until i fly out!

I was originally going to use one of the Travelex cards but then realised how expensive they were so started looking around for something else. I found a visa debit card from NAB and the only fee I have to pay is $12 per month and I can withdraw from any ATM worldwide as long as it has one of the visa cross symbol things (apparently most ATM's do). There is no withdrawal fees or conversion rate fees. So i've just applied for that. It's the cheapest one I was able to find.
I'll be taking a credit card as well, just in case.

A bit of digging around on these forums and came across a Wizard Clear Advantage credit card. They have no fees for overseas purchases (not sure if this means withdrawals) and no other fees whatsoever. Plus if I load it up with my own funds it will act just like a debit card anyway!

Hey Everyone!!!

My name's Dru, I'm 21 from Perth. I can't WAIT to go on this Contiki tour with you all!!!

It's getting so close and yet so far away still. Ha ha. I'm flying into London on the 10th of August (less than 4 weeks!) and doing the touristy thing with some extended family over there. Looking at all the hotels we're staying at just amazes me. And I can tell ya, this is going to be one hell of a Party Tour!!!

I'm just signing onto Facebook (tried it once n failed miserably) so hopefully get to chat to some of you soon!

ciao!