Just wondering if anyone has booked this trip since Christmas? Back in Nov there was myself & Jessica from Brisbane that had made contact. Would be good to get to know a few more beforehand. Not much longer now!

Hi Nikki,
My partner Michael and I are also going on the Contiki European Explorer departing April 13th. Glad to hear another couple will be on the tour. I am so excited I am counting down the days. We are both from Alice Springs which is in the center of Oz. It is our first trip overseas together so we have no idea what to expect. Have heard a few mixed reviews about Contiki but I reckon it will be a blast. We are doing the Mykonos rather than island hopping. Sorry to be forward but how old are you guys? We are both 25. I am worried we may be oldies amongst a bunch of teeny boppers. Well hope to hear from you. Carla

Hi Carla!! I'm 25 and Alan is 31 so no you will not be the oldies, I was kinda worried about the same thing! We looked at a lot of tour companies before booking but Contiki was going to all the places we wanted to see, I'm sure it's going to be awesome. We've done a bit of travelling together, Alan did his big OE back in '99 but this will be my first time in Europe, we can't wait!! We're doin the island hopping. When do you guys get to London?

Hey Nikki,
Great to hear from you I was worried you might of given up hope of hearing from anyone else. We get into London on the 11th of April and we are staying at the Royal National Hotel. So we have a couple of days before the tour starts. When do you guys get in? Where you staying at? AT the moment I am freaking out about packing my case and staying under 20kg. After the 33 day European Explorer we do the UK/Ireland tour 2 days later which is 15 days. Packing lightly is hard to imagine when we will be away for so long. Anyway I am happy to hear that there is another couple our age on tour. Carla

I know tell me about it! We're doing something similar, two days after conitki finishes we are doing a 21 day Cosmos tour around the UK. Everyone says pack lightly but how?! We get into London April 11 too, staying at the Royal National I think. Maybe we could meet up at some stage before the tour? I'm so excited now it seems so close

Awesome! Yeah, we should meet up before the Contiki tour for sure so at least we know some familiar faces. I hope the Royal National is not too bad.. bit worried as it seems to be a huge hotel but I've heard from a friend that stayed there and did a Contiki tour that it is clean and tidy so that's all that matters I guess and besides we'll only be there a few days and then we will be off!! I don't think I can wait much longer! The days are going so slow at the moment. Imagine not having to work for a few months.. ahh bliss. Talk to you soon. Carla

I can't even imagine what 2 & a half months off work is gonna feel like. I won't wanna go back! We probably won't be doing all the optionals on tour because we wanna make sure we've got enough $ to cover the UK as well. What about you guys? I'm kinda excited about looking for some eating places & stuff aside from the optionals and get to experience more of the local side. Haven't heard much about what the Royal National is like. I've heard that some of the hotels on tour will vary in standard, I'm not expecting 5 star or anything, I think that's all part of the fun plus imagine the stories we'll have to tell when we get home! We should definitely meet up, I see there's another person Tarryn that's just joined the forums who gets in on April 11 too. How exciting, time is gonna fly now yay!

Hi Nikki & Carla
I get into London on the 11th of April too staying at the Royal National! I am travelling on my own so hopefully I get paired up with someone exciting at the hotel!!!
I can't wait to get over there - Hopefully the next few weeks are going to fly past!
Hopefully we will be able to catch up before the tour begins!

Hey Nikki and Welcome Tarryn,
I am hoping we can do as many options as possible but like u mentioned Nikki we want to have money to do other things in the UK and Paris (when we go there for a week). We are going to do Euro Disney and I heard that a burger and a coke there will cost an arm and a leg which I guess will be the same most places. There are definately some extras I want to do no matter what and others that we will decide at the time whether its worth the $'s or not. It's 50 days until we leave now....I am counting! I think there is a bar at the Royal National Hotel so maybe we could meet there the day before we do the tour and have a drink or something if you guys are keen? What do you think the weather will be like when we arrive? I'm thinking it will still be a little cool and I'm guessing that coming from the stinking heat we will think it is cold even if the locals say its lovely. I'm hoping for cool weather in London that suits me fine. Alice Springs is so bloody hot at the moment... bring on Europe!!
Well talk to you soon Carla

P.s Taryn, where abouts are you coming from???

Hi Carla
I am coming from Perth, WA.
I wonder if it will be all Aussies on the tour!

Hi Guys,
Another Aussie joining in on the chatter! i am from the GOld Coast - which is not very gold at the moment (more like a fish bowl with the weather)
I am travelling alone too Tarryn so would love to meet everyone when in London. i arrive on the 9th April and my birthday is the 11th so would love you all to join me for a good night of birthday/pre tour drinks
i am staying at the place we depart from as of the 9th April, is the the National?
Jess

Hi Jess

We should definitely meet up for birthday drinks! I get into London on the 11th at about 3.00 pm - so by the time I get to the hotel I will be needing a drink! ha ha
I am glad there is someone else that is travelling solo too! Although I am sure there will be lots of us!

Tarryn xox

Hey guys

We get into London about 3.30pm on April 11 so should be at the Royal National early evening. Can't wait to meet everyone and yes we should definitely have a celebration drink! I think it's gonna be quite chilly in London so not sure what to pack. No doubt I'll pack far too much!

Talk to you all soon

Hey Nikki
What flight are you guys on? Because that is about the same time I get in - I am flying Singapore Airlines. I have been told the best way to the Royal National is via the train - but I am a little freaked out at the thought on catching the train on my own on my first day in London! (I have heard it is pretty easy tho)

Tarryn