Hi guys!

Just wondering if anyone is going on the London to Athens Tour (25th Aug - 14th Sept 2009).

Would love to hear from anyone who's going cos I'm going solo

Hi Madeline!

I think I will be going on this trip the same time you are, however I'm adding the Greek Island Hopping as well.

I will also being going solo. Is this your first Contiki trip?

I'm so excited!

- Jenn

Hi Jenn.

Yeah, this is first Contiki tour. Spending a week in London before the tour but not doing the island hopping. What stage of the London/Athens tour do you do that?

M

Hey M,

I'm spending some extra time in London and Ireland before the trip with my brother for about 2 weeks, and then I'm planning on going to Holland to visit family and then an extra few days in Paris by myself.

So unfortunately I won't be starting the trip with the group but hopefully people will still be inviting 3 days into the trip With the way my previous plans work, there's no point going back to London since I'll already be in Paris.

In regards to the Greek Island hopping, that is an option for the end of the tour. Instead of leaving in Athens, you get an extra 6 days on 3 of the Greek islands.

Here's is the link to the trip:
http://ca.contiki.com/tours/138-london-to-athens-with-greek-island-hopping

I'm so excited to be going to Europe for 2 months. This will be my first time there. Have you been to Europe before?

- Jenn

Hey Jenn!

Nope, never been overseas before either. I'm from Australia so heading off to the other side of the world for a month is really exciting!
Where are you from?

Unfortunately I don't have any family over there to stay with. Makes it all a bit more expensive so can't stay as long as I'd like. But still really excited and can't wait!!!

Maddy

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Madeline,

Hey Maddy!

I'm from Vancouver,BC Canada What part of Australia are you from? I'm planning on going there sometime within the next two years and would love to know what are some of the places I shouldn't miss.

Yeah, I'm excited to see family in Holland. I've only met a hand full of them so far, so it will be nice to finally meet everyone.

I'm a little nervous about being on my own for 3 days in Paris, but I just don't think 2 days on the tour will be enough. I want to spend at least a full day in the Louvre. My brother went a few years back and was only there for about 3 hours, and still regrets not spending more time there.

So have you already booked the trip? I haven't quite yet, but I probably will by the end of next month.

So do you think you might add on the extra island hopping as well? I've heard the islands are phenomenal!

Only thing I'm worried about is how badly sun burnt I'm going to get on this trip. Oh well...I'll just have to stock up on spf 50!

- Jenn

Jen,

I'm from Tasmania - it's an island off the south coast of Australia (only about a 45min plane flight to Melbourne).

Yeah, I have already booked the trip leaving on the 25th. I'm flying out of Athens on the 15th Sept (day after tour finishes). I'd love to do the island hopping thing but don't want to push the 'being away from home' thing for too long. Plus I'm already taking too much time off work as it is!

So do you travel a lot? I'm 19 so haven't had much time out of school to travel much. Hoping to change all that though!

You're the only person I've heard from that's thinking about going on the dates that I am. Hope you decide to go with them - be nice to know someone by name

Maddy.

Hey Maddy,

I'm glad to hear you've already booked the trip. I'm 99% positive that I'll be going on the same dates. I've been planning to do this for a while now.

No I don't travel a lot, although I wish I did. I have been to Eastern Canada, The Mayan Riviera and Disneyland but that's about it. I'm only 22, so now that school is all finished I can focus on getting away.

It's weird that no one else has responded to our posts. Maybe we're just keeners and more people will join us closer towards the end of summer. It is still almost 6 months away.

I want to go now! hahaha....Well just make sure to save a spot on the bus for me since I'll be joining everyone in Paris

- Jenn

Hey Jenn,

Course I'll save a spot for you on the bus! I'm so excited to actually know of someone else who's going! I can't wait to get over there and start looking around everywhere. It's a bonus that I get to escape the last weeks of winter over here too - get's too cold for my liking.

So what date will you meet up with the group in Paris?

Maddy

I think I'll be meeting everyone on Aug. 25th, whenever the group makes it into Paris. I'm just not going to be there for the first London bit since I'll already have been there 2 weeks prior.

I'm not sure the exact details, but I already asked the Contiki people and they said it was fine to meet the group a few days in.

How cold does it get during Winter in your area? We had quite a snowy winter this year, but it was kind of nice. We actually had a white christmas for once I don't blame you though if you don't like the cold...

It's kind of silly that I'm going in August because Summer here in Vancouver is glorious! However, I'm sure summer in Europe is just as grand.

Are there any destinations you're particularly excited to see on this trip?

- Jenn

It doesn't get that cold compared to some places in Canada but cold enough! Can get to -5 deg. celsius overnight (i think that's about 25 deg. fahrenheit). It doesn't snow at my place but it does on the mountains. During the day it is generally round about 10 deg. C. It can get really icy as well.

I love summer over here heaps more than winter! We just had a record heat wave that started heaps of bushfires. It was almost 40deg. C. for a whole week (about 100deg. F.) It was fantastic!

As for the trip, I want to see it all! Like I said, i've never been out of aus. so have never really seen any other cultures. I can't wait! I have to take so many photos.

Just a quick question - do you have a MySpace or Facebook or anything?

Maddy

I heard about all the fires in your area, I'm surprised you can handle such extreme heat. I think I would go a little crazy. I'm so used to the mild summer's and winter's here. It's made me a bit of a wuss when it comes to extreme temperatures.

I am on facebook...but it might be hard to find me. I'm pretty sure there are a lot of Jennifer Cooper's from Vancouver. The pic I have up right now is of me, I'm wearing a blue & white sweatshirt and a black shirt and there's a light over my shoulder and I'm making a stupid face. hahaha I dunno how else to describe it.

I totally am in the same boat as you with picture taking. I am a picture fiend. I tend to take too many...but seeing how SD cards can hold more and more photos these days, I'm set!

- Jenn

Hey, looked on Facebook and wow there are a lot of Jennifer Cooper's - like over 500. I couldn't find you but I might be a bit easier to find. I'm the only Madeline McKinnell on Facebook. My picture is of me skiing wearing a pink jacket with gray sleeves and pink goggles on my head.

For the whole 'photos' thing, I don't know whether to get a couple of smaller memory cards (in case one melts or gets corrupted or something) or just to get one huge one and hope my camera doesn't fry it. Plenty of time to decide I guess.

You haven't heard of anyone else who's planning on going on the same dates as you and me?

Maddy

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Madeline,

Hi girls!

My name is Sheliza and I am planning on doing the Aug 23rd trip as well! =)

Jenn, I'm also from Vancouver.

Are you girls still planning on this trip?

Hi girls!

My name is Sheliza and I'm definitly planning on going on this trip as well with the Greek Island Hopping! Like you Jenn, I'm also from Vancouver. I'm travelling by myself, so I thought it would be good to meet some people informally before heading out!

Are you girls still thinking of doing this trip?