Anyone booked?

I'm going! :)

I've been on a couple Contiki trips now and so if anybody has any questions feel free to ask :)

Hi Guys!

I am going too. This will be my second contiki tour. My first contiki tour will be the Ultimate European + Egypt in June this year.

I am from Australia, where are you from?

And Richard told me nobody would start responding until june... HA. Right once again!

I'm from Canada. This is also my second tour - first was in New Zealand. Then I made the terrible mistake of choosing Connections over Contiki for my Australia tour. It just wasn't the same...

Heya Carly! :)

What part of Australia are you from? I'm from LA, but am currently living in Dallas. This will be my third tour. Before this I did Grand Explorer in New Zealand with Monique which is how we met and why we're going on this trip together ;)

A few years ago I did European Encounter which I think stops in a lot of places that Ultimate European does so if you have any questions about that one I might be able to help there :)

I am from Tasmania, which is the small island to the south of mainland Australia. I will be travelling alone on the Eastern Road tour so its great to be able to chat to other people who will be on the tour too.

I dont have any specific questions about my tours except:

Are there any places you visited or things you did which you loved/hated?
Are there any things you wished you'd known before you left? Eg about what to take or not to take etc.

I have been going through these forums fairly regularly so I am starting to pick up a fair few good tips.
Thanks

Do you know where you're going in Egypt??? I was there in late June (2007) and LOVED it!!!

Ya know, I thought I'd met people from just about everywhere in Australia, but Tasmania will definitely be a first. Count me as excited :)

Of the place you're going on that Ultimate European that I went on my Contiki trip Amsterdam was probably my favorite. The city is gorgeous and the people are really friendly. The Anne Frank House was kind of worthless unless you're a massive fan of the book. You'd better of spending more time elsewhere. Also, if you haven't already been warned, be prepared for a particularly umm... interesting excursion :)

The Rhine Valley bit was pretty, and the boat cruise is kind of neat for the castles, but mostly that city is just a stop where they sell you stuff.

The show in Paris is kind of cheesey, but it drops you off right in Montemarte which is a good place to drink for the night.

In Venice you have to do the Gondola because it's a "must-see" but it's mostly just kind of relaxing. In the evening as the sun sets there's quartets playing in St. Mark's Square and it's a good time for dancing and just people watching.

Looking over your trip you're going to Istanbul and Egypt. As Monique mentioned, she's pretty much an Egypt expert, and actually we both spent like 5 days in Istanbul this summer so we might be able to help there as well :)

Two quick general recommendations:

1) Do all of the dinner excursions, and plan on doing most of the other ones as well since all of your new friends will be going and you won't want to be left out :)

2) Pack light. In fact, pack light, then look at your bag and take half of that out :)

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

Hi Guys
Thanks for your tips. I have already been warned about the interesting trip in Amsterdam. I am doing that tour with a friend and we are both expecting to be taken out of our comfort zones while we are there. But that is the exact reason I love travelling.

I worry that I wont pack light enough but I now have a new backpack so I think I might do a test pack in the next couple of weeks and see how I go. I actually leave in early May as I am doing a bit of travelling before my two tours.

I am really looking forward to Egypt. I have travelled Europe before with family but have never been to Egypt. I think we are doing the usual tourist things there for our 5 days including Abu Simbel. Probably what I am most concerned about is my safety but I know a Contiki tour is the safest option for me. It is definately worth it though.

I will get back to you with anymore questions. Richard, if you have any questions about Tasmania, let me know. Tassie is a great place to live and a great place for tourists too. If you ever come to Australia, it is worth the trip to come to Tassie too.

Early May? Wow, that is a lot of traveling -- I'm utterly jealous:) The backpack idea is probably a good one, and don't worry about the Amsterdam thing, it's really not that big of a deal.

I'd absolutely love to go to Tasmania. I keep trying to plan a massive Australia trip, but I can't find anyone to go with me and it always seems like there's other trips getting in the way. Hopefully next year some time :)

Anyway, it sounds like you guys have a really good attitude and are well on your way to having a great trip... in particular the part where you get to hang out with us ;P

I just booked... see you guys in Berlin!

Sweet, another American! We're always outnumbered on these kinds of trips :)

Glad to have you man :)

Hey! Im booked. Im goin on the egypt and nile tour then connecting straight to this one. see you guys in august!

Right on! We're picking up steam :) Where you from? I almost went on the Egypt & Nile tour a couple of years ago, but panicked when somebody told me it was a dry country and went to New Zealand instead. They might have been lying, but in the end it totally worked out because I had an awesome time in NZ. Then again I have fun just about anywhere so I'm sure Egypt would have been a blast as well :)

Hi, my name's Katy, and I'm booked on the Eastern Road trip, 16 - 27 August as well. Should be a good trip