hey im Sandy from NY, tryin to go on this trip Aug11-18 but my buddy is hesitant...she'l come through, i hope. Well, if there is anyadvice from peeps who have been on the trip, it would be grately appreciated and if theres anyone goin, hit me up...peace!

Hi Sandy-

I am going on this trip! I am also from New York and I am coming with 2 other girls. We are from Long Island and are 25, 26 & 26.

Where in NY are ya? Let me know if you and your buddy are def. booking it.

HI jackie - have you heard anything about the hotels on simply italy? i am 29 coming from chicago - going on the july 22nd trip. Wish i was going on your guys trip - i have a lot of friends from long island! let me know if you have heard anything about the quality of hotels...Thanks!

KATIE

Katie- I have not, sorry. Did you look in the Simply Italy forum? Maybe someone there could help you. I have never been to Europe before, so I'm not much help. I haven't even gotten my itinerary with the hotels yet for this trip, but I guess once you get yours, you can alway check out tripadvisor.com. It gives you feedback from real people about attractions, restaurants and hotels all over the world...so at least you could get an idea from other people who have stayed there what it was like.

Hi all,

I went on this tour during New Year's 2007, and although I had a great time, the trip is exhausting. You are constantly moving, whether it be by feet or bus. I'm not sure if they have changed hotels in last 7 months, but in terms of the hotels the best one is in Venice and surprisingly it's a Holiday Inn. It's the nicest, biggest, & most spacious. Most of the pics you see on the internet deceiving because they always show the nicest pics, but the rooms are very basic & small. Dinner in Florence & on the last night in Rome are overrated & overpriced. It's def nothing like the Italian food in New York, since it's cooked very differently. Overall I had a great time, and met great people from all over the world. You guys are def going to have especially since it's summer, just remember the comfy shoes.

Hey Everyone,
I'm NOT going on your trip but i've travelled with Contiki and would like to offer 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.


Feel free to ask me anything else.

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

I am Sandra from Orange County, CA. I am going those days and same trip. Did you end up booking?
Trip advice is to pack light, make copies of your passport and place a copy in each bag, contact your credit card companies and inform them not to block your card for # of days, bring comfortable shoes and sandals.

quote:

Originally posted by Sandra:
I am Sandra from Orange County, CA. I am going those days and same trip. Did you end up booking?
Trip advice is to pack light, make copies of your passport and place a copy in each bag, contact your credit card companies and inform them not to block your card for # of days, bring comfortable shoes and sandals.

Sandra I am on your trip for sure! Can't wait!

hey guys!!! my name is Monica and i will be going to the 8/12-8/18 trip! Italiano Expresso! Im a little nervous because I will be traveling totally by myself ....is there anybody departing from LAX on SAT AUG 11 at 10am??? feel free to contact me or look me up on myspace through my email addy. This trip is going to be a blast once we get there and figure out where to go

quote:

Originally posted by monmon:
hey guys!!! my name is Monica and i will be going to the 8/12-8/18 trip! Italiano Expresso! Im a little nervous because I will be traveling totally by myself ....is there anybody departing from LAX on SAT AUG 11 at 10am??? feel free to contact me or look me up on myspace through my email addy. This trip is going to be a blast once we get there and figure out where to go

Hi Monica- I will be on your trip as well. I am coming in from NY-JFK and will be arriving @ Fiumicino around 10am on Saturday the 11th. I am 25 and my 2 friends coming with me are 26- we are all girls.

Looking forward to meeting u and the rest of the gang on Sunday night.