hi guys

i'm stu, from Perth normally, but living in Birmingham at the moment working in a bar working with like the best people I have ever met lol. crazy types

i am looking at doing a contiki real soon, just sorted of spontaneously decided one day when I was bored

who here is going on what trip exactly? from reading all your posts it looks like it's the Ultimate European, plus Greek islands, the one leaving on the 19th of august... amirite?

would be cool to talk to people who are actually going to be on the same trip!

Hey everyone!

It seems that everyone doing the Greek Islands option is also posting in this thread, so I will abandon my UE + Greek Islands Aug 19 - Oct 2 post. I was wondering why no one was replying.

I am a 22 year old male from Vancouver, British Columbia that just graduated university and I'm treating myself to this incredible Europe trip (UE + Greek Islands) before I buckle down in my professional career.

I am extemely excited for this trip, as I know you all are as well. This will be my first trip to Europe, and I didn't have the time to plan my own extensive itinerary, so I felt that this would be an excellent way to travel last minute. This is my graduation gift to myself, and I feel that it is well deserved!

I'm ready to be open-minded, learn from others, repect and admire different cultures, and just have a good ol' time! I'm looking forward to sharing these experiences with you all.

I am flying into Gatwick on August 15th at 2:45 pm. I should arrive in London around 4:15 pm if I take the bus in. I haven't planned my day excursions yet, and I would love to meet up with some of you who are arriving to London early. I have read some of the suggestions posted here already. I would love to see some museums and art galleries. Free is a great price in my books. I'd like to hear from those arriving early in London and maybe we can plan something!

Caio for now,

Shaun

Hi Lisa, Stuman and good times, Welcome aboard

I am currently testing a suitcase pack myself .. as the case i have isnt very big. Been looking throught the forums and have laread got myself a microfibre towel and saved a fair bit of space there. Am now gonna have to track down a sleeping bag as the current one takes up far too much room.

As for money i have some Euros ( i think ) for the taxi fair from teh airport to the hotel. I may get some more money before i head off otherwise im just going to be using my bank card.

Stu, most of those who have commented in this section are on hte tour. Im also from Perth too and will be working afterwards, just need to find a job.

Shuan, i find it unusual that you have "abandoned" your Egypot option. Im sure there will be plent on that optional excusion. I choose not to do it as i havent heard too many good things about it, my Bro is in the travel industry so i hear all the gossip.

Well not long now .. i only got 1.5wks left of work !

Hey Matty
bout the sleeping bags - Leigh and I are buying ours from Contiki basement, so we dont have to wory bout packing them & taking up valuable room in our bags. I've already been in contact with the contiki basement, cost of sleeping bag is bout $20 pound. We will probably leave these in london at the end of our trip too so we dont have to haul it all the way home.

Welcome aboard Lisa, Stuman & Goodtimes...!

Stuman, this post is for everyone travelling on the Ultimate European departing 19th Aug. The Greek Islands / Egypt option is a 5 day split in the middle of the tour, but for the rest of the time we are all one tour group.

Sorry Matty, what I meant was that I was abandoning the web forum post that I started earlier that was specifically for the Greek Islands trip. I am definitely not abandoning my Greek Islands option!

I am trying to pack this trip in true backpackers style. That will probably mean that I'll be more self-reliant than necessary, but I prefer it that way. Never know when you'll be left in the dust in a remote location by accident.

Just curious, how many of you are planning on taking somewhat valuable electronics such as iPods or cell phones. I am debating if I should take my iPod, as I know I will probably have to guard it like a hawk the entire time. What are everyone elses thoughts?

- Shaun

Ok Shuan

I will be taking my ipod and and phone.

Need one for communication and the other for entertainment whilst on the long bus trips ..

You just have to be careful and wary of your belongings. I will most likely have a money belt which i can keep them in if im really that concerned

Hey guys,

Yeah I was wondering if I should bring valuable electronics. I wanted to bring my portable DVD player so I could watch movies on the bus but I fear it will eat into my 20kg's in a big way.

So I am going with my ipod and phone too. I figure I won't need it during the day and I can turn my suitcase into a safe with some good locks.

Oh, btw a shout out to the ladies.. how many good outfits are you all taking. I have currently got piles of clothes I need to cull and it is not happening!

I am thinking 2 good dresses, and 4 dress up dress down ones. What do you all think? Am I dreaming?

Hey Alyssa,

I don't know if you are dreaming, but I certainly am!! Of lush green fields, sandy beaches, camel rides, a bus full of laughter, and beer...mmmmmmm, beer!!

I think we just need to bring ourselves and a great outlook for the trip...who needs clothes anyways?? LOL...ok, YES I was joking!!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alyssa,

The way I'm looking at it, since we are a group that will be together the entire trip, I believe things are inherently safer than when backpacking alone. Of course, that doesn't mean you shouldn't take the necessary precautions, but I think if everyone watches out for each others stuff, and since we're all in the same boat, we should be just fine. Look into additional insurance for your electronic equipment if you can't afford to lose it but must bring it along.

As for clothes, I'm trying to pack as light as possible. I hope everyone doesn't think they need to pack everything and the kitchen sink! We're on a budget trip, so we can't have it all, heh. As long as you do laundry regularly, you can get away with a few shirts, a couple pairs of shorts, a pair of jeans, bathing suit and a nice dress shirt or two (for guys obviously, girls usually need a bit more). Be sure to make sure everything is dark (so it doesn't show dirt) and can be mixed and matched to extend wardrobe possibilities. Avoid clothing items with big brand names on them, since a lot of the stuff we consider fashionable in our home country most likely isn't in other parts of the world. Generally you always pick up a few clothing items along the way anyways, so leave ample space in your bags. These tips aren't from personal experience, just tips I've read and heard from other seasoned travellers.

- Shaun

Hey Alyssa
bout clothes...i'm struggling heaps too. I have been trying to pack for the last week. At the moment I have 4 dresses that can be dressed up or down. And I've thrown in a few nice tops to wear with skirt/jeans. Tonight I am planning on finishing and then weighing my bag which I'm a bit scared of...i will let you know if I have to cull tomorrow...!

Cheers, Christie

Hey christie,
I still have the travelex passport cash card from my last trip so I will go with that again as well as a couple of travellers cheques just in case you know.
I'm just getting the last of my things together now, as if I don't now I will be just too excited the week before to be able to think of the things I've forgotten.
But hey yeah, with the phone thing you can purchase cheap prepaid ones that way it doesn't matter if they get lost or stolen. I didn't have any trouble last trip though came home with everything I left with.
Hey rick on that tube thing apparently if we catch the piccidilly line there is a station not far from the royal national and it stops at every stop along the way so less of a chance missing the stop!! Takes roughly hour an bit to get there, from what my travel agent said she took it last trip she did and there is some sort of card we can purchase at station so don't have to bother with ticket machines you just put so much money on it and best thing is that you can cash it in on the return trip to get left over money back. Something similar to what melbourne is trying to introduce for their public transport

Shara

Anyone who is bringing over a cell phone may want to look into an International Roaming SIM card. In order to use these though, your phone must be GSM, unlocked and either tri or quad band (world phone). If you have no clue what these terms mean, then most likely you shouldn't bother with this option.

I ordered myself a Passport SIM card through Telestial (https://www.telestial.com/view_product.php?PRODUCT_ID=MSIM-PP01). I checked into all of the countries that we are going to be travelling and only 3 of them (Serbia, Bulgaria and Liechtenstein) are not included in the unlimited FREE incoming with that particular card. Basically you order the SIM card online and have it delivered before you depart. Pop the SIM card into your compatible phone, activate it, and enjoy relatively inexpensive calling in all of Europe.

I'm pretty stoked on it myself. =)

- Shaun

Hey guys!

As for the phone, I actually got it through the Contiki ekit website, and for calling from the States they give you a toll-free number for your friends and family to use so they wont pay long distance.


I actually had to have my friend pack my bag while I wasn't looking because I had packed so much stuff and he took most of it out. I don't know if you guys have a Target store but they have a luggage weight thingy that you pull up on your luggage and it weighs it...probably not that accurate but it says I have 40lbs which is probably the lightest I'm gonna get.

I second that mmmmmm beer lol woooo!!!!!

Hi Guys,

Im all booked on this tour but im doing the Greek Islands.. Im doing the tour by myself, so would love to meet new people. Im 22 yr old Female from Auz, over on working holiday.. Im on facebook, email is beccababe99@hotmail.com
And everyone please get ready to party as my 23rd birthday is on tour..
Yay.
catch up soon Bec

Hey Guys
This will be my last post for a while...! Leigh & I are leaving tonight, bound for Scotland. We will see you all in a couple of weeks when we arrive in London on Sunday night 17th Aug.

Cheers, Christie