CONTIKI EUROPE!... ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN, PLEASE COMMENT!

[invigrr8]

Heya Guys,

Planning on taking a trip to Europe for a month or 2 sometime this year... if all goes well. Thinking of doing a Contiki tour that goes for about 25-30 days then go solo as most of Europe is assessable via train.

Just wondering if any of you have been on their Concept (lodges/dorms) or Timeout(cheap hotels): which one should i choose? Timeout apparently is for older/serious/couples travellers. Concept is too far out from the main cities. I rather be on a tour which parties and has a good rather then sleeps early for tomorrow but I also prefer the comfort of a hotel. Any suggestions?

Also thinking of doing the Greek Islands as an add on pack with them as well. Is it really worth it, or should I just go on my own. I'll be travelling by my own most of the time and really want to visit the islands, just not sure on my own.

Theres also a Contiki rival, Top Deck Tours. Anybody with comments on those guys and which company is better??

Anyway, thanks for reading. Really want to do this and love the planning and research. Hope you guys can help. Have heaps more to ask but thats enough for now. Thanks for reading.

Cheers.

[jdm rsk]

went on one 25 yrs ago....total madness and pack the condoms...thats all i got to say

[swingn]

My cousin went on one a few years back & had a great time... Basically got pissed everyday

went on one 25 yrs ago....total madness and pack the condoms...thats all i got to say

Yes, from what I've heard I would have to agree with Shano on the condoms

[LIB3RTiGT]

hey im a bit of a lurker on the site but i might be able to help with this one, i did something similar in october - november and just got back from europe a few months ago.

i travelled through europe by myself and the best thing i did while i was over there was a contiki tour, for memory the winter discovery tour or something like that, 8 countries in 12 days which was one of the most amazing things i have ever done and i would do it again in a heartbeat, trying to save already to go back in 12 months time and do another tour.

if i could recommend anything, i would say do the tour early in your trip, within the first week or 2 weeks of getting over there, that way when you make friends on the trip you will have plenty of time when you get back from the tour to catch up and do stuff, travel with them, etc. oh and expect half the people on the tour to be aussies too!

i did a heap of research on everything before i went over but the first hand experience was just amazing, if you have any questions or anything on contiki and how tours are run just shoot me a pm, they give you a huge rundown on everything before you start so its still fresh in my mind.

hope this helps.

[invigrr8]

Thanks for the tips guys.

Sounds like my type of tour. Good mix of partying, being able to see a lot and meet like minded travellers. Reminds me of when I done Thailand

I'll probably stick with Contiki rather then TopDeck as most people who went did good reviews.

Scary thing is going alone, hearing stories about the shadier side of Europe was why I though of Contiki rather then going solo. Hope to meet some people on the tour that want to travel on to the Greek Islands or Ibiza after it all.

Has anybody been on both Timeout and Concept tours? I'm thinking Timeout because I like my creature comforts but I don't want to be with couples or serious travellers all the time. I enjoy my partying (not saying I'm any good at it, but I love it) and just letting lose whilst on holidays.

Thanks again for contribution guys.

Cheers