Hi I'm an aussie chick from Melbourne looking at booking the Scandinavia/Russia tour which starts in Riga around 22nd June 2009. (I'm only guessing this date since the contiki dates for 2009 is not yet available). I will be travelling alone so keen to meet others prior to the trip.
I've now booked this tour for 22nd June (starting in Riga) as estimated previously. I'm interested in meeting people who are also doing this trip or thinking about booking it.
I'm 50/50 at this stage. Ive traveled quite a bit myself but am unsure about going on a tour. Seems to be some advantages but a few dis advantages as well. What made you pick this tour?
Cheers
Posts: 6 | Location: Australia | Registered: 17 Apr 2007
I've travelled a lot with contiki and find their tours heaps of fun and a good way of seeing the highlights of each country when travelling on your own. For me, I use the tours as an introduction to a country and to decide where I would like to get back to in the future to spend more time. So the reason for this tour is that it's one of the few contiki tours left I haven't yet done and my past experiences tell me it's going to be great!
Yes, good thinking. I think I'll have to copy that idea It seems a good way to get the best of both worlds. Which airline did you choose? Do you know other people on the same tour?
Cheers
Posts: 6 | Location: Australia | Registered: 17 Apr 2007
I'm flying Fin Air. I don't really know much about the airline but believe they use Cathay Pacific planes. I decided to stay completely clear of qantas after all the dramas of late. Where are you flying from? I think my flight goes from Melbourne to Hong Kong to Helsinki and then to Riga. All up 31.5 hours!! Aaahhhh.
Last couple of times I went to holland via singapore using singapore airlines. They do use qantas planes from oz to singapore however
I still haven't completely decided to go as yet. I emailed contiki to see if I could find out the ages of the people booked already. I'm 33 and would be traveling solo. I'm pretty young at heart but would like a few people over 25 atleast
Yes Ive had a couple of those ~30 hour flights before. I don't think you can ever get used to them! Esp if you have a big one the night before.
I'll be traveling from brisbane.
Posts: 6 | Location: Australia | Registered: 17 Apr 2007
Hello. I have not booked this trip yet, but I intend to. So far I have managed to organise my flights using frequent flyer points. I got myself a flight with Qantas to Hong Kong, then Finnair to Riga via Helsinki. I will be landing in Riga about 5:00pm on the 22nd so I may not be at the hotel by 6:00 but I can't see that being a problem.
I'm 34, so you won't be the oldest on the tour at least twatson. I could be wrong but I expect this tour would attract a slightly older crowd compared to the 'traditional' tours of Western Europe. I've done one Contiki tour before, but that was in the USA so I am expecting this to be somewhat different.
If anyone wants to have a chat, write to me at james.rope@gmail.com
Hi everyone. My name is Kristina and I am 25 years old from California. I am getting ready to put my deposit down for the June 24, 2009 departure (beginning in Moscow). I am happy to see that it is a slightly older crowd that is interested in this tour!
This trip is going to be fantastic! Glad to hear you are going to be joining us on this adventure. I'm starting in Riga but flights weren't the easiest to find! What made you decide to start in Moscow? So have you done much travelling to date?
Since you asked, the part of the trip I am most looking forward to is the start (for me in Riga). Not so much because I am keen to see Riga, just because the start of a trip is always a great experience.
I know it is a pretty lame answer, but I am genuinely interested in every part of this trip. I have wanted to see Scandinavia ever since I first heard about Erik the Red and Leif Erikson. And when I saw Contiki offered a tour that took me to Scandinavia and also places like Moscow, St Petersburg and Helsinki, well I just had to get myself on it. I'm not real sure what to expect in Moscow, but I am quite sure I will love it.
That all sounds pretty cool to me. Myself I'm keen for this tour mainly because it goes to countries that I most likely would not go to by myself. Like you I have very little idea what to expect which makes it all the more exciting!
Posts: 6 | Location: Australia | Registered: 17 Apr 2007
Hello again everyone! I am now officially booked on this tour and also booked my air into Moscow. After the tour, I will be staying in Europe for another week (heading down to Austria and Germany to visit family). Anyone else going to stick around after the trip?
It seems a good way to get the best of both worlds. Which airline did you choose? Do you know other people on the same tour?