Is anyone going on Simply Italy departing 7th May 2008? I am travelling solo, you only live once hey! I am really excited. I think May will be a great time. Warm but not stinking hot, and being spring all the hills will be green and the flowers will be out. Just like a postcard. Bit nervous and eager to hear who's coming.

Hey TassieGal!
I was going to book the 13-25th tour, but something came up and now I need to change my travel dates. It looks like I may be joining you on the May 7th-18th tour! I am also travelling solo! I agree with you, I think May is a great time to travel to Italy; definitely comfortable weather. I'm super excited! Have you booked anything yet?

Hi jj,
Cool, another solo traveller! I know lots of people travel alone but when it's your first time it's rather daunting. I chose that tour date because it's guaranteed departure and springs got to be beuatiful there. Is this your first Contiki Tour? It's my first time to Europe and I am sure it wont be my last either! On the last day of the tour I am heading up to Siena for 4 days to relax a bit. Found a great day tour there that takes you on a train through the countryside to a couple of vinyards, an excursion to some ruins, and lunch. They haven't released the dates for 2008 yet so I keeping watch. Not sure if I'll do the whole booking for museums. I like art but not sure if I like it enough to go through all! The optionals for this trip all sound good though. I also can't wait. Not looking forward to that long plane ride though. My longest plane trip was 9 hours to Bangkok and that was enough!

Hi TassieGal,
the fact that these dates are a guaranteed departure definitely helped me make my decision as well. I plan on arranging my own flights, so it's important to know that the tour will run for sure. This isn't my first time to Europe, or flying solo, but it is my first Contiki tour! I've always wanted to take part in one. Is this your first Contiki? I feel the same way regarding the whole museum visits, not so sure if I will want to arrange those or not. You're right the optionals for this trip do sound good! I will probably go for a majority of them. Not so sure about the dinners, I have been reading mixed reviews on these forums about the food. I was always worried about flying alone as well, but it's not so bad. Just try to keep yourself occupied by reading or listening to music..sleeping is always a good way to pass the time as well lol. Do you mind me asking where you are from? I'm from Toronto, Canada so I'm looking at about a 9 hour flight I believe.

My name is Megan and I live in Tasmania, the little and much forgotton island under Australia. Yes this is my first Contiki tour. In fact only my third time overseas. Spent a month in Bali, and couple weeks in Phuket, Thailand. This is a whole other ball game! I have booked and paid, I got really good airfaires and booked my domestic flights myself. Saved a bit. I got 2 hours Tas-Sydney, 9 hours Sydney-Bangkok, 11and a bit hours Bangkok-Rome! All with about 2 hours between each flight. I know probably a bit silly and will be tired but would rather not spend an amazing amount of $ to get there a couple days ahead. I don't need heaps of sleep, a few nanna naps and I'll be ok. I get in very early and seeing if I can check into the tour hotel early and sleep. I love using the net to see others experiences but so many opinions it can confuse at the same time. I know I'll love it. Life is what you make it hey! In my mind I'm already there!

Wow Tasmania! I've heard that it is beautiful there! Those flights do sound crazy but it will all be worth it in the end! Are you arriving into Rome the day the tour starts, or earlier?
I'm very excited and it's great to meet someone on the same page as me. I was hesitate for a while about going alone on this trip, but you're right, life is what you make it! I'm definitely looking forward to this trip! I'm booking it this week!! Oh and my name is Josie.

I am arriving in Rome on the day the tour starts. 6:30 am, the tour doesn't really start until 6pm when you have dinner and meet everyone. I was hoping to check in to the hotel early but it's a bit hard to found out when you don't know exactly what hotel you'll be starting at until around 2 weeks from the tour when they send you your info. Bit of a pain.Yeah Tassie is a beautiful place. I'm pretty lucky, Canada's not to shabby either!Glad to meet you Josie. It's a great feeling when you have done your booking. It's real then! I know what you mean about going alone. I was going alone to start with, thought I'd booked and worry later, then a friend said she'd come, then she backed out and I had a major panic attack. But now I've realised so many do it, why the heck can't I! Everything's taken care of pretty much for you anyway. I just have to not get on the wrong plane or miss it. The airports my greatest fear! Better start learning a few words in Italian.My manager has come back recently from Italy and the menus are mainly in Italian, I don't wantto end up with a big plate of steaming hot brains! ha ha

Check in at most European hotels is usually in the afternoon at like 2, but it could be a different story for Contiki tours. I was in the same situation, a friend was going to come with me as well and then backed out. We really are on the same page here! lol I am really worried about the airports as well. I tend to have bad luck sometimes! Knowing me I'll end up on the wrong plane or something. It will be an adventure thats for sure. Aww well I can help you out with the Italian. I am actually Italian and currently taking courses to learn the language better..so there will be no steaming hot brains for you! lol

Yeah I thought maybe you could pay extra to check in early, but who knowss. My travel agent said the hotel may let me leave my suitcase there. Don't know what i'd do lugging it around after all that travel time and not knowing where I'm going!

I'm pretty sure that the hotel would allow you to leave your luggage until check in. That would really suck if they didn't! Do you have any plans for the day you arrive?

Yeah I plan to do a fair bit of freaking out! I guess I'll just wander around until I can check in. Won't go too far on my own though. I am shocking with directions and liable to get lost. If you arrive early maybe we can meet at the hotel and go for a wander or something. I think after all that sitting on the plane I eill need to stretch my legs.

LOL! aw no freaking out! You'll be in Rome soaking in every moment of it! I'd love to meet up if I arrive early. I have no details planned out yet. I haven't even received final confirmation that my tour has been booked. I'll definitely let you know what time I will arrive and we can plan around that. I'm so excited! I think we are going to have such an amazing time!

Going to be great alright! I so need a holiday, and something pretty amazing. So proud of myself for being brave enough to do this by myself. I really am not a brave person and always follow the rules. Time to throw that all out the window and live!

Oh I sooo hear you on that one! I'm not that brave either..I kinda surprised myself with this decision to go alone. I figured by the time I wait around for someone to finally agree to come with me, the opportunity to go may not still be there. So I decided to take matters into my own hands! I'm proud of myself as well, and proud of you too! haha! "Time to throw that all out the window and live!", I love that! Do you by any chance have msn messenger or facebook??

My boyfriend and I are doing the may 7-18 Simply Italy. I was originally going alone but he decided to join me. We'll be getting to Rome on the 5th and will stay a couple days after the tour ends, then we're going to Malta for a few days. Ive never been to Europe before and woo-hoo! not long to go!!! Im having trouble knowing what to pack tho. If its like here (im from Perth) its still a bit chilly in spring. My names Lynley anyway )