Hello everyone

I have boked the last winter 07/05 tour leaving London on 24 March 2008 to 14 April 2008.

I will be arriving in London to stay at the Contiki hotel/motel a night before and following the contiki tour I will be staying in London about a month after.

I am wondering if anyone can advise me of the following:

1. I am taking spending money of $100.00 AUD a day. Should I get one of those Travelex cashcards or just use my ATM card from AUS.
2. what type of clothing should I take, I have heard heels as well as flats?
3. after the tour, I dont have any plans for the month. I am hoping to make friends on tour and either stay in backpackers / hostels and go touring following the contiki trip. Should I plan my accommodation before I leave Australia or is it easy to get accommodation in the backpackers / hostels over there being a walk in? (does anyone know how much are these usually per week??)
6. I will be backpacking / hostelling for a month after the contiki, is a backpack going to be the best option?

Thank you for everyone that looks and responds to my post !!

I hope to hear more from you soon and if you are going on my tour hollar!!

Tori

This message has been edited. Last edited by: torib56,

Hi Tori,
I'm thinking of doing this tour as well! It looks pretty amazing.
According to my travel agent, weather in Europe is quite good early April, sometimes still a little cold at the end of March.
I've travelled on a Contiki trip in USA before and there were heaps of single people on the tour, and lots travelling on their own. Personally I think double share would be best, it allows for a bit more room and comfort.

That's probably all I can help you with. Keep us posted as to whether you book the tour... I'll post if I do too.

Hey Bel

Yes I have booked this trip now and I have chosen the double share!

The reason why I chose this tour is that it is a huge saving compared to the next week in the summer brochure!!

Let me know if you book it

Tori

Awesome, I'll hopefully book it over the next week or two - just have to organise leave from work etc.
I know, it's a huge savings to go on this last "winter" trip. I think it'll be cool to maybe see some snow in Switzerland.
I saw some of your previous posts - have you done a few other Contiki tours? I did Wild Western last year and it was so much fun!!

Bel

Hey Bel

I have been planning to go overseas for the last 12 months, I had to cancel my last trip, so I didnt end up going to the USA.

This one is booked and paid for so no getting out of it now!

Tori

Hey Tori,
I'm booked on this trip!!! Deposit is down and the people at Contiki reckon that we'll know for sure that it's a guaranteed departure in approx 45 days! I'm going to be arriving in London on the Saturday which will give me some time to spend with my brother before the trip starts! I'm so excited now! I've picked double share as well.

OMG, Yay!!!

Who are you flying with and is that our sat or their sat? I arrive 3 nights before, so we should meet up!!

So cant wait, now I have to save!!!!

Till next time

Tori

hey tori
i will be on that tour when i book in 2 weeks! im also travelling solo and hoping to meet people on the tour to. im a bit worried but im sure once im there i will have nothing to worry about. i am also staying at the contiki hotel the night before it departs. im unsure whether to book a twin or triple share?
lesley

Yep I arrive Saturday London time!! I'm flying over on Cathay Pacific.

I know what you mean, gotta save up that spending money!!

Hey Lesley - no need to worry! Contiki is great for travelling on your own, you make friends pretty easily!

Hi everyone!

I'm planning on booking the European Vista March 22nd to April 14 in the next few weeks. I'm currently working in Canada for 12 months and my contract ends in march so this tour fits into my schedule perfectly before I return home to Australia. And it's alot cheaper than the first summer tour in april.

I'm hoping to stay in London for a few extra days also to have a look around and visit some friends. I'm really looking forward to it!!!

And it looks like there's going to be lots of aussies!!!

Hayley

These community boards seem to be pretty popular with Aussies. I went on a trip in the states last year and most people from other countries didn't know about them!! This trip sounds like it'll be a nice way to finish your year overseas Hayley!! What have you been doing in Canada? That's another place high up on my travel list!

I just looked up when Easter weekend is as I thought it might have been whilst we were on tour (I noticed there was a small trip called Amsterdam for Easter). It's actually the weekend before we leave - the tour starts on Easter Monday. At least we won't have any public holidays to put a dampener on getting out and exploring all these countries!

Yeah I noticed that too Bel that we leave on the easter monday...but like you say that is a good thing!!!

I've been working in Canada since April as a Kinesiologist (study of movement) in Cardiac Rehab...so I prescribe exercise for patients who have had heart surgery following heart attacks. It's pretty interesting...I love it as it's quite rewarding!!!

I'm pretty keen to do some skiing while I'm here, the temperature is starting to drop now which is a little daunting because it can get to minus 30 degrees in winter AARGGHH!!!

Anyway I'm pretty excited about the tour, just have to save a little bit more money and then I will book it ASAP.

Enjoy your weekend everyone

hello bel
thanks for that i think im just more scared of the flight actually!! i should be fine. are you going on the tour by yourself or with friends?

Lesley - yep, I'm travelling the tour on my own. I did another Contiki trip in the states last year on my own and it was fine! Heaps of people there on their own, you make friends pretty easily! Is this your first long haul flight? People have put some good tips up on a lot of these forums.

Hayley - wow, your job sounds very interesting, and definitely rewarding. You'd be making a huge difference in people's lives. I'm a pharmacist myself so I work with making sure they take their meds properly !!! Sounds like you're in for a full on winter. It's already rediculously hot where I live (far north QLD) - we're having temps now of around 33 - not cool! Thank god for air conditioning!

This is great to have met some people from the tour already, makes it even more exciting!!

bel
yes this will be my first long haul flight that i will be able to remember. i have been to england twice before but was to young to remember. it is good that you can chat and at least meet some people before the trip starts? how did your contiki trip in usa go. bet you had a fantastic time? im so excited i cant wait.