IM ALSO FROM LA and i will be arriving 1 day beofre the tour starts on nov 14 2008 this will be my 4th tour with contiki they are very good u will love europe, the euro is a little high but it does not compare to londe where it was very expensive. i have been to madrid barcelona london and paris , australia is nice with contiki too. i cant wait to do italy , the only thing is the hotel in ROME im reading the reviews on the hotel and it seems that is a very bad hotel . other than that i cant wait. im going single im a male . any guys traveling solo?? we can be roomates