hi mick - got to just say mate - GREAT QUESTIONS

i took both - although when i went in june i only wore waterproof jacket once - but if you got a light weight one - then take it.

i highly reccomend the microfibre towel - although i emphasize it must be a large/xtra large one -you are on the move so much, a normal towel just wont dry in time - and if your not showering in the morning-just bare a thought for the person who has to sit next to you on a coach for 8 hours on travel days.
IMPORTANT ----------------
i also advise you take some sort or washing line to hang between tents or trees or something - because otherwise there is nowhere else for you to dry your towel- whatever type you have

mick - i took toilet rolls with me and washing powder
2 toilet rolls should be enough to start - as you will find plenty of campsites have shops to top up.
i took washing tablets instead of powder - and im glad i did - you can buy powder on most sites - but why waste time and money - take it with you
also another top piece of advice - i took a little net bag in my luggage -
when i had any dirty washing i stored it in this little bag in my luggage - then as soon as you get on site - you go straight to washing machine(straight away)
picture this----
1 or 2 contiki coaches arriving at same time - 80 people plus let alone the rest of the campsite - all trying to get washing done in 1 night with 2 machines
im just giving you all(anyone that is taking the time to listen to me) the heads up

one more thing
when i was at the rome campsite they had a service wash - you pay them to wash your clothes
its really cheap - you give them your clothes when you arrive - and pick them up the following evening - washed and dried
top tip - take advantage of this and let them do all your clothes - really freshens them up
but - they wash all your own clothes in one machine - so dont mix white with pink and dark colours that have never been washed before - you have been warned

while i think of it my friends - the crossing from dover to calais will probably be cross chanel ferry - so if you have never crossed the english channel before - or are proned to sea sickness make sure you get some travel sickness pills- you will be thanking me later

please dont forget to let me know if i have helped you with my answers

Darth, you have made me want to go on the camping trip. I will be booking the 21 day trip leaving of the 23rd April 08.

www.myspace.com/anastaciabeaverhoussen

Thanks Darth! very helpful as I've never done anything like the camping tours on contiki! I didn't have to ask most of the questions I had as you seem to cover everything in this thread already! Another question. Is the security pretty good at campsites? I know that some people lock their tents etc, but for example hanging a microfibre towel on a line outside your tent. Did anyone on your tour have anything stolen at any point? on the bus, at camp, out and about? Is the pick pocketing as bad as some say? Thanks again so much. Look forward to hearing from you.

Darth, thanks for all of the excellent advice you've given us all. I can certainly say that when i go on my tour, i'll have not a thing to worry about, cuz i've got your advice in my mind. And thanks for the advice about washing, i didn't think of it like that, with all the people arriving at once and wanting to do their washing. Might have to sacrafice a night of drinking to do the washing.

thanks everyone for all your nice comments, its makes it all worth it.
i had such a great time, and i hope you will too.
anastacia - im glad i helped you choose your holiday - please let me know how you got on

hey kitty, thanks again
security in the campsites is fine and as far as i know this hasnt changed and no one had a problem on my trip. having said that its best to be safe - if your going to be upset if something gets stolen it would be best to carry it on your person - but please dont take anything to valuable with you.
if your going to take a money belt with you, try it out before you go to see how comfortable it is - whatever city you go to you will find pick pockets - just be sensible
dont have anything on show
your towel will be safe

mick - giving up a night of drinking to get your washing done - are you sure mate
just be ready as i have suggested and get it on as soon as the coach pulls up and your washing should be done and ready just after dinner - leaving you plenty of time to DRINK
then when your drinking and the others are washing you can mention the great advice you recieved - lol
although maybe wait till the end of your tour, otherwise they will all be doing it

when is it your off???

anastasia - make sure you book your holiday soon
do you have any questions i can answer for you

I think i'll do it your way Darth and get the washing done straight away. What was i thinking, giving up a night of drinking!!
And while i might pass on some of your wisdom to my fellow travellers, there will be a few things like when to wash, i'll keep to myself.
My tour will be the 46 day tour from 19 August to 3 October. I'm really looking forward to it but I don't have to wait that long before I start my adventure. I'll be doing the 8 day Egypt and the Nile tour before the camping tour.

Darth, I've already booked it and am totally excited about it. Just wondering though, I need my laptop when I'm there, so will there be any security issues with me bring it? Could I just leave it in the tent with the tent locked up? Also, As I'm going to be traveling before and after the trip, I don't want to be carrying around a sleeping bag with me. I've heard that contiki hires them out. Do you know what they are like?

Thanks in advance.

Darth, in Venice, the camping ground were we'll be staying, is that the camping ground where the Fusina Bar is? If so, do they still have a mixed drink called Snake Bite?

Hey again Darth, thanks so much for answering my (and others) many questions. Another one I thought of last night. With everyone rushing to the washing machines I was wondering (as I camp around australia and often do this) are there sinks in the laundry rooms? So you can do some hand washing with your own washing powder? Are there plugs? Just wondering. Thanks