Those who have been reading my blog for a while will know that I loooove a good Contiki tour when travelling. It’s so perfect for solo travelers (like me much of the time!)
That being said, there are 7 things that I believe everyone should know before embarking on any kind of tour, but in particular a “younger folk” tour like a Contiki or Topdeck where you have to be under 35 years old.
Here we go…
1. Pick the best type of tour for YOU
There’s options for staying in camp sites, boats/cruises, hostels, or hotels. I also stayed in 4-person lodges on my South Island tour. So if you hate the idea of pitching tents each night, don’t book a camping tour… particularly if it’s for a whole month! Hotel tours can be made more affordable if you choose a twin or triple share room.
2. There will be partying and what not
Depending on what type of tour you choose, there may be more (or less) partying/drinking involved.
The thing is, many people associate a “Contiki” purely with partying… and sleeping around. And while there is a bit of partying (come on, we’re on holiday) and well, ya know, when you get a bunch of 20-something-year-olds together there is bound to be a bit of “canoodling”, it’s not the main focus of the trip! At least not with the hotel tours I’ve done anyway… I can’t speak for the “high energy” hostel tours! I’ve heard some interesting stories about them 😉
But be prepared for the fact that these things do happen at time. And whether you participate in them or not is totally your choice.
3. Go with the flow
Go with the flow ’cause things will go wrong at some point. You can be the best tour group, being all on time for the bus each morning, but at some point you will be late for something. The rain will set in while you’re in Paris of all places. Or someone’s phone will be stolen in Prague. Or your hotel will end up being located right beside a nightclub (feat. loud pumping music until the early hours of the morning). Or your taxi driver has no idea where they’re going. That’s travel for you!
4. Be prepared to get sick
You can have the strongest immune system on the planet (I thought I did), but it’s quite easy to get sick while on a tour. I mean, you’re travelling at a fairly fast pace, making you exhausted at the end of each day (but you still keep going with some drinking at night, too), and you’re stuck on a bus with 50 other people inhaling their germs through the air-con. All I can say is that you should always be prepared for the (usually inevitable) “Contiki cough”!
5. You have freedom, but only to an extent
You may only be in a city for 2 nights max. 3 if you’re lucky. In many tours, you may only be in some cities for 1 night. If you prefer freedom to go wherever you want – whenever you want – at a snail’s pace, then a tour may not be for you. Alternatively, if you like the idea of all the other benefits of a tour – go for it!
6. You can’t be a recluse
Likewise, if you hate being surrounded by people at all hours of the day and night, then maybe a tour isn’t for you. Of course during the day you can go off and do your own thing, but there are many group activities involved in a tour (and of course don’t forget the long bus rides too). A good option could be to pay the single supplement and get a hotel room to yourself.
7. Remember you’re all in this together
And last but not least, it pays to remember that probably at least 75% of the people on your tour are in the same boat as you. There’s always a few couples, but there’s lots of single travelers too, many who have never been in whatever country or continent you’re travelling in. So if you’re feeling scared or nervous, don’t be shy and try make some friends! It’s handy when you need to borrow someones hair straightener 😉
Over to you – do any of you other travel veterans have any points that you think people should know before embarking on a tour??
pssst: It’s no secret that – after being on 4 Contiki tours now (so far!) – I’m a huge advocate for them!
Check out their amazing range of tours here.
