Hey Hey

I'm a single traveller going on European Inspiration July 28-Aug 15,all the way from New Zealand. I'm sooo excited about the trip but a little nervous at the same time. This will be my first time in Europe! Would love to hear from anyone going on the same tour as well as any Kiwis. Would be good to introduce ourselves before we actually meet up???

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chatz,

Hiya, Im Sarah and im on the same trip as you. Im 21 and from England. Ive never done any trip like this before and am really excited now! Im also travelling by myself, but i think a lot of people will be in the same situation. Do you know anyone else who is going? Sarah

Hey Sarah

Glad to hear there will be others in the same situation as me! I was getting kinda worried! No i don't know anyone else going, but i think that will be a good thing coz it will give me the chance to meet new people. I'm flying into London on 26 July and will also be spending a week in London after the tour, can't wait for the shopping!! At the moment, im having a dilemma trying to decide how much cash to carry and also how much clothing to take. Would be good to hear what u think??

Cheers

Hiya!
Im pleased im going alone as well, it kinda forces you to get to know other people whereas if you go with friends you are more likely to stick with them. I have also been having packing dilemmas! The contiki message boards are really helpful, they mention things you would never think of...i.e. take a duvet cover to sleep in if the hostels are minging and take 2 little travel towels-so if its wet you have a spare (silly i know but it will prob be useful) Basicially i am taking as little as possible, the 20 kilos weight limit is strict, i think you have to leave stuff in london if you go over, oh and leave space in your rucksack for souveniers. The money situation-i dont want to carry a lot on me, i can just get it out of the cash machines as and when i need it...does your card have the cirrus label on it? I have had no probs getting money out abroad before. A word of warning...things are expensive over here, especially in England-a bottle of beer in a nightclub where i used to work is nearly £4, you will have to work out how much that is because i dont know the exchange rate. Also, might be a good idea to have two debit cards and keep them seperately. On the message forums people also keep mentioning to photocopy important documents like passports in case they get lost/stolen.
Anyways, i think ive said enpugh for now, i didnt realise i was going to write so much! If you find any helpful tips then please let us know.
Hope that helps,
Sarah

Hey Sarah

Thanks heaps for the info, much appreciated! Yup u r right, best to travel light especially since i can always buy stuff along the way. I have been reading the travel logs and other ppls' posts on what to take and stuff, some good ideas definitely. Hey do u think i need to bring a duvet cover? Since this is the hotel accommodation, i figured that would all be provided, maybe i can borrow one from my aunt who lives in London coz i dont want to carry one all the way from NZ. I will carry some cash for the optional activities which i read dont accept credit cards, i have a debit card and a credit card as well so that should be sufficient. I have just started reading this travel guide titled 'First timer's guide to Europe' which is great! Gives u all these helpful hints. I would suggest u pick up a book like this and have a read. But it did mention that Europe is quite unsafe in terms of pickpocketing and stuff. Thatz what im most scared of, losing my valuables. Coming from a place like NZ where we r pretty relaxed about this sorta stuff, it sounds a lil scary! Is this true? Sounds like everyone is pretty organised, i have been so slack! So much to do in like a month, but should be really fun!

Chatu

Hiya, sorry its taken me so long to get back to you! I dont think you will need a duvet, but some of my friends have recommended that i take a duvet cover to actually sleep in, in case the bed is scabby! (a bit girly i know!) I would say that pickpocketing is bad over here, im am always cautious of my bag, and would be even more so in the big cities, it has never happened to me but i suppose i have always known to be careful! How are your preparations going? i have a list!!! i now need to start buying things!
Hope u r ok! Sarah

Hey Sarah

Been busy with work, study and of all the horrible things that could happen, I put my neck out! So haven't had time to do anything. Not long to go now....It's funny coz i keep having to add to my list of things to do before the trip. By the way, do you know if i can buy a vodafone SIM card in London for my mobile ph, top up and be able to use it all through the tour? Its just that if i could it would be heaps cheaper for me than having to set up global roaming from here which would cost a fortune!

Sorry about all the questions, just that i haven't been to Europe before so i just want to be extra prepared!!

Thanks

Chatu

Hey Chatz / Sarah,

You guys are great, I've just read through all your posts and they've answered most of my questions. Talk about being slack I booked and paid ages ago but haven't given the trip another thought since.


Now it's just around the corner and panic has set in, bit cause I've been lazy but more so cause I'm doing the trip by myself.

Got any tips on what and how much to pack ?

Thanks heaps
Matt

Hey Matthew

Good to meet another person on the trip. U are right, not long to go now!!! Where abouts u from?

Anyways, with regards to what to take, i've started collecting bits & pieces. Here's a little list of what i've so far:

A travel size pillow (for the bus), ear plugs, eye mask, a rain coat (in case it rains, i heard European weather is unpredictable!),first aid kit (make sure u bring vitamins, panadols etc),money belt (really important i think!), i bought a travel clothesline and pegs (for washing, dunno if i will need it but better to be prepared!), the usuals like phone, camera. I'm taking 3 pairs of shoes (going out, walking and sandals),i have 2 travel towels (easy to pack not too bulky) & my clothes (not too much i hope, but being a girl im finding it hard to pack light!)

There's one more thing though, i read the info brochure for Contiki & they had an ekit for the phone, i read it was way cheaper to set yourself up on that rather than set up global roaming. I might read up on that a bit more! Oh also bring a lonely planet guide book!

There's a lot more but this is all i can remember for now. Will let u know if i remember anything else.

Cheers

Chatu

Hey guys,
Firstly, i must apologise for being absolutely rubbish at replying..i saw ur posts but havent had time to reply.
Chatz - you can buy a vodafone sim card over here but its still stupidly expensive even with a British SIM. I keep adding things to my list as well...should i bother taking hair straighteners? R u getting to london a day before the trip leaves? Because i was thinking a lot of people r going to arrive on the 26th/27th and it might be a nice idea for us to meet in london. Dont worry about all the questions...im happy to help if i can.
Matt - Hi! I havent done much in the way of organising either, i wrote a list but i havent actually bought any of the things i need...and its less than a month to go! Dont worry about the fact that u r travelling alone...i think a lot of people do contiki because its something u can do by yourself. Packing tips-only take exactly what u need! They r really strict about the 20 kilos weight limit. Anyway, where r u from, what do u do 4 a living etc...
Well...i better go...i promise i wont be so slack in replying next time!
Sarah

Hey Sarah

I'm definitely taking my GHD Hair Straightner (can't live without it!!) Also i bought a travel size hair dryer and an adaptor for Europe. I'm arriving in London on the morning of the 26th. I read on the Contiki travel doc that we need to meet for a pre tour meeting at 6pm on the day before the tour (27th). Yeah im most definitely upto catching up before the tour, maybe you can show us around London?

Take Care

Chatu

Hello!
I am very pleased to hear that someone is taking straighteners....i cant be bothered to do my hair every day but im guessing we will be going out in the evenings and i dont want to have the same hair every nite! Sorry for being stupidly girly!
Well i would be more than happy to take u around london but i dont know it that well myself...but i will try my best! I hadnt read that bit about meeting the night before, so thank u, i suppose i better book a room at that hotel.
Anyways, better be off, good chatting and will keep u updated on my plans.
Sarah x

Hiya Chatu, sorry it's taken me so long to reply seems we are all in the same boat now that the trip is sooo close...

To answer your questions I'm from melbourne and from the few people posting messages I'm going to be the oldest at 31.

Are you staying at the national ? I read about that pre tour meeting but it seems a few of us are keen on the idea of trying to link up before that and check out London... What do you think ?

Anyway better head off now... Just in case my email address is ryan.matthew@hotmail.com

Take care everyone
Matt

Hey Everyone

I'm arriving in London on 26th at like 6am. Im staying with some of my family, so not at the hotel. Would be cool if we can all meet up before the tour. I was looking into doing one of those sightseeing tours in London, will be staying for 5 days after the tour anyway. If all of us are to meet up before, not quite sure how we are going to plan it though??

By the way my email address is chathurika_gamage@hotmail.com

See you all soon

Chatu

Hello everyone! Just to let you know i will be staying at the royal national on fri 27th, i will arrive in london in the afternoon, it would be great to meet you before we start the trip...my mobile number is 07795384594 and email is sarah_smilie@hotmail.com. Hope you are all as excited as me!
See you in a few days, Sarah