Hi,

im thinking of doing a camping tour around europe next year and i was wanting to know what they are really like.

im not the most outgoing person, so im concerned as to what it would be like for someone like me.

to be honest ive heard that contiki is all about alcohol and sex, and the bus with little tme to see things

any information would be great

cheers

Robyn

Hi Robyn,

Well i'll let you know when i get back...i go on the 24th August on the 32day camping tour and ill be back by 25th September.

I'd say thats a pretty fair assumption about the trip, but i do think you will get some time to see things, you get alot of free time apparently.

Hi,

I just got back from the 21 day camping tour and had a really great time.
It all depends of course on the people on your tour, but ours was excellent. No offense to anyone, but the camping really had a lot less of the 'plastic' girls we saw in the other trips. More down to earth people i guess.
I wasn't particularly there for the sex and alcohol, and had a good time still without overdoing it. The tour itself was very rushed, but, i wouldn't have liked to be camping for any longer. The truth is you have got a LOT to see in a very short amount of time, eg. i feel like we barely visited Germany.
If you know what you want to do, AND KEEP A JOURNAL, you can still have a real eurpoean trip though, and they give you maps and info. on all the highlights so you don't waste your precious time.

I felt that our tour was more relaxed than the others, more 'groupie' as you don't gather in individual cabins or anything. Still hard work though, we laughed at the other cabin groups who were whinging about having to change the sheets at each place!

anyway, hope that was helpful.
Claire. 

The camping tours are awesome.. You spend too much time out and about to really care about the tents. You sleep in them (when you sleep) and thats about it. The sex and the alcohol are optional I only know one guy who engaged in the former on our tour who wasn't already part of a couple. probably a little less likely as there's not much in the way of privacy with tents.

I'm not the most outgoing person either but most everyone else was outgoing enough to compensate and they'll come up and talk to you. I cheateed and brought friends along so I didn't have to worry about finding a tent buddy.

It's true you don't get much time to see things but you see the main attractions and you don't have to worry about where you're going and how to get there or where you're going to stay once you do.

I recommend you bring a diary or something to write down where you went cause it does go by quick and you might end up like me with hundreds of photos and no idea where or what they are of.

The only thing you will have to remember is you will have to put up and take down your own tent and help with the washing/cooking, coach packing or putting up the cooktent.. unless you convieniently get left of the duty list.

Recommending the camping tour,
Bob

Hello!
i went on the camping tour with bob! hi bob! anyway, i would completely recommend you do a camping tour its so much more relaxed and casual than cabin and hotel tours. everyone chips in and becomes really close. Our group was so excellent. its only about sex and alcohol if you make it that way. its your choice what you partake in and it is quick but you do see everything of importance and its the most amazing thing you will ever do. i already have withdrawals. go the camping all the way! tents are actually really comfy and cosy!
Helen

Hi!! I did a 45 day camping tour around Europe a few years ago and it was awesome!!! I'm not the most outdoorsy person but by the end of it I was putting the tent up on my own. I went on this tour by myself and within the first 5 minutes had made loadz of great friends.
As for the sex and alcohol thing, well you do drink a lot but thats totally up to the individual - there were people on my tour who didn't drink and those of us who did still had a fantastic time and saw everything the sober people did if not more (cos we saw the nightlife too). As for the sex thing - I left a boyfriend back home in Oz when I went so I didn't do that but there were a couple of guyz in my tour whose main goal was to sleep around. Mostly though they respect the fact that you are not interested and leave you alone.
Anyway I had a fantastic time (bit over camping now though!!!) and the main thing to remember is to just have fun and be yourself. Don't do anything you don't want to do but try and do as much as you can.

Heh, why don't you come with me next year? I'm not even the slightest bit interested in alcohol OR sex!

I just went on a 45 day camping tour this summer and let me tell you you it was the best summer of my life! Ya there is alcohol and sex sometimes but not many of the people on our tour hooked up with other people. And as far as drinking goes thers is only as much of it as you want to partake in. There was a bunch of people who did not drink very much on our tour. Camping tours are a bit rushed sometimes but that is just because there is alot of ground to cover. I found I had all the time I needed in most cities to see what I wanted to see. I even got to see way more different stuff that I did not expect to see. I had the oppurtunity to se alot of the Balkan countries which were all cool. Most of the people on the tour are outgoing plus the Contiki staff always does stuff to make sure that everyione has a chance to get to know each other. Also here is what the daily routine is like when you are on tour. Every morning 15 minutes before breakfast 4 people would help the cook set up, then there are 4 people who clean all the pots. After if it is a traveling day everyone takes down the tents and we get on the bus(there are plenty of breaks during the bus rides to go to the bathroom, eat, etc.) If it is a day that your in a city then you get dropped off in more or less the city center and given a orientation and/or a city tour. Then you are told to meet at a certain time at a certain place or back at the campsite(usually no less than 5 hours later is the pickup time). The quality of the capmsites depends entirely on the country and city. In France we had a really nice one with galot of grass and clean bathrooms. In Istanbul and Ohrid(Macedonia) we had feral bathrooms. At alot of the campsite that more groups go through there are good bars/clubs. I really liked the camping tour because none of the people were stuck up and after spending 2 months straight with them they become family. I would defiently recommend a camping tour especially the 45 day tour because I saw and did so much!

I'm glad to hear about all the glowing reviews! Going July 24 for the 22 days. I would have liked to do a longer trip, but I don't have the money! As such, my drinking will be pretty minimal, though I might splurge a little in Germany... Not interested in the sex, or in picking up whatsoever, just in making good friends and having a brilliant time.

Hi! I went on a concept tour so we stayed in cabins and hostels. All I can say is that I was soooooooooo stoked I wasn't putting up tents in the dark and rain. We cracked up laughing at everyone on camping tours! Heaps of people on camping tours would try and hook up with girls/guys on concept tours just to get a bed!As for the drinking and sex...some people on our tour drank, some didn't. It's up to the individual. Same with sex. Don't stress about not being outgoing. Contiki tours are designed to cater for all different types of people. Or maybe you should indulge in some excessive drinking to let your inhibitions go! Have a good time!

hey im so stoked to here good feedback on the 45 day camping tour im going next year in june and ive been pretty scared as im going by myself my boyfriend isn't keenso thanks guys makes it alot easier and if anyone else is going in june 08 let me know
thanks!!

ok...so i wouldnt call myself high maintenance but i definetly have never had a desire to go camping in my life...but i want to save money and do the camping instead of the concept tour. how difficult and outdoorsy is the camping tour? would a 20 year old girl who's never camped in her life be like too overwhelmed?

also, in regards to the whole drinking/sex thing. does the need to "party" distract from peoples ambitions to see europe. basically, does it feel like your on a bus for 21 days with frat guys and sororitiy girls.
I dont mind if people want to party all the time but does it feel like you aslo have to participate with them the whole time?

Hey madiucla,
Camping really isn't that bad with Contiki. To be honest, even if you did a budget instead of a camping tour, your only in your room to sleep, so it's really not that bad having a tent when you'll be so busy doing other things anyway. And if you do want to relax, the camping sites that Contiki uses have all the facilities you need and places to relax.
Also the partying aspect definitely does not detract from the main objective of the trip, which is to experience Europe! A lot of people do both, and most people take a night off here and there so that they can be ready for the next day. Everyone is there to have fun and experience Europe, and I found that there was a really good balance. I hope this helps answer your question, if you have anymore let me know! I loved my contiki trip and can't wait to go on another one!

are european nights really hot in the summer? does it get unbearably hot in the tents without air conditioning?

trashy

ive travelled europe loads of times and ive never come across a night where its been unbearable to sleep, it really does depend on the country. italy can get warm but its easily bearable especially in a tent, ive never done a contiki tour but ive stayed in france switz and italy in the summer and had no trouble! sayin that france has been known to get very warm randomly which is nice!

i dont think you'll over heat in a tent!