anyone going on this trip I just booked it and looking for fellow trvelers

Hi, I just booked :-) My first trip abroad. Yea! Is this your first Contiki trip??

no I have been on tour with contiki in the past. I have been to europe a few times on my own as well and cant wait to get back! Where are you from? I am from cleveland where I work as a firefighter and paramedic. I will be in Europe on July10 and will be arriving in london on July 19 or 20 what about you? will you be traveling alone? I think that traveling alone is alot of fun as it forces you to meet other people. The nice thing about a trip like this is alot of people travel alone so half the fun is meeting evryone else. Our tour should have people from all over with different backrounds cultures etc...So the conversations on the bus are priceless and friendships you will make are as well. I have had people I met on tour and in Europe stay with me here in the U.S. One guy I met about 4 years ago when I was on a contiki trip visited me last summer for a few days while he was touring the east coast. The whole Contiki experiance is pretty cool the hotels are decent but hotels in europe are not like U.S. their 5 star is like an american 2-3 which is o.k. they are clean and your only in your room to sleep. The food takes a little getting use to its hard to describe its not bad just different. There is a reason why the U.S. has so many overweight people lol.The tour managers and bus drivers I had were cool. At the end of the tour your suppose to tip them (somthing contiki does not tell you before your trip) So dont be surprised when the tour is over and they want a tip. I dont mind tipping but some people were mad especially when they told them what to tip. I think they ask for like 2 euro per day or somthing. remember you dont have to tip if your not happy. I was happy and tipped extra. My friend had a tour manager that sucked so the bus tipped very little. What else? lets see... dont pack too much stuff you wont use half of it, bus rides a long some days, youll probably get sick that bus is like a giant germ capsule one person gets sick everyone gets sick, get a money belt, get an alarm clock, get a day pack, dont bring 5 pairs of shoes, if you use film buy it at home and bring it, learn to read a map or hang out with someone who can, learn how to make a phone call while in europe on your first day as it is much different and may keep you from getting lost or left behind, pick pockets are everywhere! even if there not! Somthing we are not really use to in the U.S. see in our country they just straight out rob you with a gun knife etc.. at least you know your being robbed lol. The thieves are sneaky across the pond so keep your important stuff in a money belt so you can feel it and know where it is. I have seen people get things picked out of there pockets and I must admit its impressive. There have been a few times where people have tried to rob me as well and if you put up a fight they will imediately back down. By U.S. standards Europe is very safe. I will leave you saying the most important thing about traveling especially a contiki trip where we will all be together on a bus for 20 days is this... Everyone is not American or British or Australian everyone has different backrounds and views. What may be rude to you and I may not be rude to someone else what may be funny to me someone else may not get. So when I leave for a trip I try and leave my attitude at home as well and have an open mind and I have allways had a blast! I cant wait to get the hell out of here the trip is over 2 months away and I am allready excited. Im so excited to see Prague for the first time Oh and my favorite Amsterdam! drink some huge beers in Muncih feel that weird magical feeling of Florence oh and ice cream (gelato) allright enough for now let me know if you have any Q's  

Does anyone know when we get our iternary?  I want to see the Hotels we are staying at...I also had a few more questions... Will we need swim suites?  Does any of the countries we are visiting have beaches??  What are you guys doing for currency?? Will Euros be good enough or should I get travelers checks?  If anyone could reply that would be great!

hey kelly lets see ... you can get a list of the hotels from contiki call them and they can fax you a list, its just a basic list, then you can look at them onnline. there not really any beaches though a swim suit may come in handy. there is a lake in lucerne and a few hotels have a hot tubs. you have the option on our tour to go white water rafting in Austria plus its really hot in Rome so if your going to bring one id suggest only one. curency...well i wouldnt get trav. checks sometimes they are a pain in the ass trying to find a place to exchange them. you get the best rates by using a credit card and ATM's are everywhere when using ATM card be sure your pin number is only 4 digits and ask your bank if it will work overseas (most do) tell your bank and credit card company you will be traveling in Europe so they dont turn off card for suspicious activity. They do not use the Euro in London, Prague,and lucerne these countries have there own currency and ATM will give you up to 500.00 dollars a day not that you will need that much.any other questions let me know i have an email address as well its engine3113@aol.com if you cant get the hotel list from contiki I have it and can type them out for you.