Hi, This will be my first Contiki Tour. I am arriving in NY on the 1st Aug. Just want to know of anyone who would be on the same tour, and wants to check out NY beforehand. I am travelling alone. Im 24 at the moment, but will be 25 by the time the tour starts and I'm from regional NSW

Hi 82ADZ,

I am doing the Grand Northern from the 3 Aug so will be on the same tour with you.

I will turn 29 on the 2nd August in NY...when do you turn 25?

Hi!

I am doing the same tour and will be turning 30 (not that I want to shout about that!) on the 6th August when we will be in Quebec City I think. When do you arrive in NYC. Is this your first tour? It will be second as I am doing the Grand Southern in July prior to this tour.

Hi Annie,

technically this will be my third contiki tour. My first was Mediterranean Highlights 2 years ago and it was fantastic! I arrive in NY on the 30 July to do the Big Apple Explorer so i guess that will be my second but its only for a few days.

That sounds great! I am doing the Grand Southern before this tour and am getting really excited!!

Where about in Oz are you from?

You are so lucky to be able to do one after the other, its going to be a massive adventure for you lol.

I would love to do the Grand Southern too...hopefully next year!

I am from Sydney. Have you been to Australia before?

I was in London 2 years ago. Which part of England are you from?

Hi Syliva!

I am from Leeds, in the North.
I have never been to Australia but I have just received my working holiday visa and am coming to work in Oz for a year starting in October so I am really looking forward to that.

Are you travelling alone or with friends? Have you been to America before?

Hey Annie

Another one from the UK hey? I am travelling alone aswell. This is my first 'tiki and first time to the USA. All very exciting. I get to NY on the 1st Aug in the arvo.

Are you on the NBNE or the GN?

Adam

Annie I am travelling solo this time around. I travelled with my 2 sisters on my previous contiki tour - Mediterranean Highlights.

Yes I have been to America a couple of times when I was younger. The last time I went there I was 15, so its time I went back lol!! While I was in the US last time I visited LA, New Orleans and Florida. Then relaxed and saw the sights in Hawaii, it was great.

You sure will be travelling a lot! Great you are coming to Oz. Which places will you be visiting while you are here?

My email address is sylvia.marsic@hotmail.com

Feel free to email me so we can keep in touch before the tour

Hey Syliva,

Thanks for the e-mail address...will keep in touch definitely.
You sound like you had an amazing trip in the US last time. What are you looking forward to this time? For me I think it is Niagra Falls!
I'm not sure where I'm going to be working in Oz yet... haven't thought that far ahead yet!

Adam - I may be being really stupid but I really don't know what NBNE or the GN is!! Please fill me in!

Annie

Annie, ha ha, no worries
NBNE - North By North East
GN - Grand Northern

Are you on the north by north east or grand northern?

not long to go now.....

Hiya Annie good to see another one for the coach and another Brit, wow our numbers are increasing we may just compete with the aussies on this tour!

My brother and I are doing the Grand Northern which is encompasses your tour plus I think Parks and Canyons (though don't quote me on that!)

You may want to check out the Aug 3rd postings for the Grand Northern as there you will find more people on the coach, assuming the site allows you too!

Annie I am looking forward to all of it lol!

I heard Canada is a beautiful place to visit, and yeah Niagra Falls looks amazing, as does the Grand Canyon and other national parks we will be seeing.

I have never been to New York so I am excited about going there. The good thing about this particular tour is that we get to see a variety of places all very different from each other. From the big cities to the natural wonders!!

Hey everyone,
I'm NOT going on this tour but am from the States & have travelled with Contiki so i've got some advice:

If you plan on taking a credit card to Europe, you may want to call your credit card company to let them know you'll be travelling so they don't think the card has been stolen and cut you off.

Another thing I recommend is carrying your cash in a money belt, I find it safer.

Plan on spending $100-$150 USD per day. You'll have to buy lunches daily, souveneirs, some dinners and going out at night. You should try exchanging money before you leave. You'll have to chance to do so on the tour, but easier to get that part out of the way and have one less thing to worry about.


When you pack, throw some clothing into your carry-on to lighten the weight of the suitcase and in case your luggage gets lost. Leave room for souveneirs & carry with you an extra copy of your pasport and hotel address list.

In terms of weight of luggage, it's the airlines that are more strict than Contiki. Each airline has their own weight threshold & will only be too glad to charge you extra for going over. You can find out the limit/rules by going on the airline's website.

I have lots of other advice which I think will be useful, so don't hesitate to ask on here or email me.

Brian (from New York)
brij75@yahoo.com

Southern Ireland '97
Grand Explorer '00
Rainbow Nation '01 (no longer offered by Contiki)
Beaches & Reefs '02-'03