Just finished the 22 Day London to Athens this week. Darthilicious's post is pretty comprehensive, but slightly outdated, so if there is anything u wanna ask...just send me a post here

Some small things to bring or do that may make a BIG difference:

1. Band-aids (esp for the girls they always seems to get cuts on the back of their heels)
2. aloe-vera gel for sun-burn
3. spare camera battery
4. a power board for charging on the bus
5. because there are only 4 outlets on the bus for charging, each travel day make up a list of people who need to charge stuff, that way there is some order instead of always missing out
6. if ur on a budget and want to drink, be sure to buy ur alcohol at the stores, get tipsy at the campsite, so that by the time u get out to a bar or club ur not spending a fortune on drinks at the bar (usu 5 euro for a drink)
7. bring at least 4gb of memory for your digital camera. anything less is just not enough
8. when arriving at ur campsite, grab the mallet asap so u dont have to wait
9. drink heaps and heaps and heaps of water
10. keep the list of campsites with u alll the time

Did you buy an adaptor? Where is a good place to stay right before London? Do you take your own shampoo and toiletries? Would you suggest taking the train/subway??

there are two options just before ur trip. The royal national hotel is right where the contiki meet up is so its convenient, plus u get to meet most of the other contiki people before ur trip starts. the other place is the generator hostel, which is literally a 4 minute walk away. it is a party hostel with its own nightclub downstairs, internet is 3 pound for 90minutes, and has ok food, with free breakfast.
take ur own euro adaptor, plus a power board (and write ur name on it!). also, the london underground is very convenient, fast, reliable and easy to follow, but i suggest buying an oyster card. its 3pounds to buy (u get it back at the end), and u can top it up at most stations, saves u having to buy tickets all the time. the train network in paris is also just as good.

in terms of toiletries, if u got space in ur luggage, then bring it urself, keeping in mind anything over 100ml u need to check in with ur luggage cos 100ml is the limit for carry-on. if i were u id bring the essentials from home, like toothbrush, hairdryer, straighteners (for the ladies and metros), and then buy most things just before u leave on ur trip. if u run out of stuff u can always buy it at a local grocery store anyway. dont forget to bring ur laundry tablets, as opposed to carrying powder.

are the plugs on the bus UK or Europe pins?

Hey!

Yeah, I got a few - what are the mattresses like? blow up? are they comfy? do you get a pump?

How many people were on your trip?

With the power supply on the bus - is it just a european plug, or a car plug thing?

Thanks dude!
Kat

oh yeah, just one more question...

how much money would you recommend bringing?

haha thanks!

Ooh I definately have a few questions!
As with the people above, what are the power plugs on the bus? I'm from Australia, so yeah.. If I have an adaptor, would I just bring a normal powerboard and plug that into the adaptor?
More importantly.. SLEEPING BAG! Please tell me I don't have to try and fit that in my suitcase.. Cause it is sooo not going in there!

PLUGS: the bus has usu 4 european outlets (not a car plug). so bring ur european adapter, and yes just bring your aussie powerboard and plug it into the european adapter for the bus.
SLEEPING BAG: must have one!! i bought a mini one but that was useless cos it was too small! so yeah, you will need it!
MATTRESS: they supply you with an air mattress, and there are about 4 pumps available to share. the mattress is ok i guess, you get used to it. some did deflate but if you look after it it should be fine
MONEY: you can get away with 50 euro a day, but the more drinking you do the more money you need to bring! think about it. you get most meals, so you only need about 5-10 euro on each meal you buy when out and about, more if you eat at restaurants. drinks are usu 5 euros each, 700ml of absolut vodka usu 10-15euro, bottles of wine range from 80 cents euro to 10euro for a decent one. so i budgeted 75 euro a day cos i bought souvenirs, and drank heaps! If you flirt with the bartenders they usu give you more portions of alcohol in a drink so u wont have to spend too much there. BE CAREFUL OF SANGRIAS in spain! they taste so nice but are potent! you will be well and truly trashed after a few drinks of it! YEAH!

so which tours are you all doing? add me on facebook and you'll be able to see some pics...byron6@hotmail.com

I'm doing 32 days camping.. My plane flies out tomorrow

good luck Mandy...YOU WILL LOVE IT! oh...heres more tips for ya:
1. PARIS: Make friends with Abdul the bartender, and he myt discount your drinks. Also, you the disabled showers...they are always HOT (better than a cold shower). Climb to the top of Eifell Tower...it is amazing!
2. ROME: ride the mechanical bull, and say hi to Mick for me (tell him hi from "mini-Ray").
3. FLORENCE: ask one of the contiki reps to show you how to "strawpeedo" a bacardi breezer.
4. CORFU: DO George's boat - it is awesome
5. CAPRI: Take a boat around the island to see the Blue or Green Grotto, its about $15-20 euro each, but the more people the cheaper it is
6. OTHER: take cough medication, nurofens, and mosquito repellant!

hey thanks for the tips planet byron... i'm doing a 46 day tour in august. Can't wait

The saddest thing will be when the 22 day campers leave you in athens...then you meet the new lot doing the 25 day...

but it will be hot as weather! YOURE GOING TO SOOO LOVE IT

aw yeah didn't think of that but getting new people will help the pain i'm sure