I did both these tours this year and can highly recommend them. I had the time of my life. Both tours are amazing!!! So if you are thinking about doing either of them.. GO FOR IT!!!! If you ever get the chance I highly recommend doing both of them. You wont regret it.
Hi Tazzie! I've followed your posts since about this time last year, up until you left for your tours earlier in the year - got me really excited about going next year, and this post has just about tipped me over the edge! So happy to hear that you had an awesome time. any tips, hints, advice you could provide would be MUCH appreciated. How was the mix of people on the 2 tours? Was there many people doing it on their own? I'm going alone - scary, but at the same time I can't friggen wait. How much time did you spend in NY? I was going to be doing the Grand Southern and then the Grand Northern... but because I'm worried 3 days isn't enough time to see everything in NY, I'm now going to start with the Grand Northern and then do the Grand Southern. End rant.
Posts: 68 | Location: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: 26 Jan 2009
The mix of people on my tours was great. They were both fun groups.Hhmm as for tips I would say. Make it your own holiday do all the optionals that you want, If there was anything that you wanted to do just go for it. I went in with an open mind and enjoyed every place we stopped. I wasnt disappointed in anything. Be ready to go with the flow. Make sure you have plenty of memory cards and take photos of everything! Leave some room in your suitcase for souvenirs. Take a pillow and a jumper or blanket for the bus cause it can get cold when you want to sleep. New York was AMAZING!!! I could have spent so much longer there. I had about three days and managed to see a lot but if you get the chance to spend longer there then thats a great idea.
I think the best advice I can offer is enjoy every moment, go for it, go with the motto "why not" because you never know when you will be back there again
I went alone too and it didnt matter a bit. I made some amazing friends!! People who I have already planned a catch up with!!!!
hey tazzie, im looking at doing one of these this time next year and im not sure which one to do. if you absolutely had to pick only one, which would it be and why? thanks for your advice, i wish i could do both! ps if you ever do a contiki in europe i can highly recommend the european contrasts, i just got back from it and it was amazing!
I know it will sound like a cop out but I really couldnt put one ahead of the other. The people I met and the places I went I just couldnt pick one over the other. I think its something you have to decide on person by person basis. Really look at book trips closely and see which one you think holds more for you. All I can say is I give both a 10 of 10 score. I dont think you will be disappointed with either.
cheers mate, at the moment i'm leaning towards the northern but i guess i have ages until i have to make a decision. *****, im getting all excited and i havn't even decided which one im gonna do!
Hey Tazzie!! to true about picking which one to do, i've done both too and it really is so hard to pick from both. If you want to go to party you do heaps on both tour, even the second half of the Northern is a massive party time if you want it to be. Just pick what you really want to see and do the tour that goes there.
The mix of people on my tours was great. They were both fun groups.Hhmm as for tips I would say. Make it your own holiday do all the optionals that you want, If there was anything that you wanted to do just go for it. I went in with an open mind and enjoyed every place we stopped. I wasnt disappointed in anything. Be ready to go with the flow. Make sure you have plenty of memory cards and take photos of everything! Leave some room in your suitcase for souvenirs. Take a pillow and a jumper or blanket for the bus cause it can get cold when you want to sleep. New York was AMAZING!!! I could have spent so much longer there. I had about three days and managed to see a lot but if you get the chance to spend longer there then thats a great idea.
I think the best advice I can offer is enjoy every moment, go for it, go with the motto "why not" because you never know when you will be back there again
I went alone too and it didnt matter a bit. I made some amazing friends!! People who I have already planned a catch up with!!!!
Cheers Tazzie
Thanks Tazzie, sounds like you had an awesome time!
Posts: 68 | Location: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: 26 Jan 2009
hey tazzie, just been reading some old posts and it would seem you are a girl! for some reason i just assumed you were a guy, sorry about calling you 'mate' haha!
I'm planning on going on the grand southern April 29th 2010. I'll be travelling myself and it's my first time to the States. I am a little nervous but very excited. Anyone else planning to travel on this tour??
howdy! i am planning on doin the grand southern and northern back to back some time at the end of 2010, early 2011. wondering Tazzie, what kind of spending money did u take? tryin to budget..
Its hard to give you an definite figure. I worked on trying to have $100AUD a day to spend. But it depends on how much shopping and drinking you want to do. It also depends on what optionals you want to do. I didnt spend all the money I took with me and I did everything I wanted and some shopping. I also had a credit card for emergencies
The best idea is to work out a budget that suits you, keep in mind all meals arent provided so you will need to be buying food as well. So suit the budget to whether you want to party lots or shop lots , or just sight see or all three
Sorry not much help I know but it really does depend on the person as to what money they will need
