Contiki has been around for 55 years. Over 1 million Australian & New Zealanders aged between 18 and 35 have had the experience of a life time on a Contiki Tour. I am a big advocate for getting out there and seeing the world and Contiki just makes it so easy. There are so many different tour options these days, there is something on offer for everyone.
I remember my first Contiki tour like it was yesterday, it was a 37 day bus tour of Europe’s finest tourist destinations and attractions. There were so many new cultural experiences along the way. I was 24, I loved adventure, I loved experiencing new things. I was very nervous especially as I was leaving Australia for the first time by myself. I was also very excited to be finally seeing the places I had heard so much about. I got a job in London as a Registered Nurse and lived in a backpackers hostel for a few months prior to my Contiki Tour. Regarding the backpackers hostel, even if you don’t consider yourself a backpacker this is a great place to stay to meet like minded people and make heaps of new friends to travel with.
The Contiki Tour itself came and went in the blink of an eye. My tour was before social media existed, so I would send a quick email to family and friends from internet cafes to stay in touch, or even sent postcards from places along my journey.
Upon returning back to London I sat in an internet café, (which charged by the minute) and attempted to put my last 5 weeks experiences into one quick message home.
This was the result……
Hello all,
Well I’m finally back in real life mode and have time to email, write letters, sleep and other essential real life things. I’m going to give the big trip rundown now so be prepared for a long email, well not too long, but it feels long for me as I’m attempting to type fast!
Start- Paris, first impressions mean a lot and Paris was a good place to start for the European experience. We went up the Eiffel tower at sun set and it was really beautiful. The lift up was so high, it just kept going and going. My legs did get a bit shaky, or maybe that was the lift itself as it was quite old. I ate the local food, snails! The garden variety we were told, I actually liked them! We drove around the Arch de Triumph, oh my gosh!!! Yes, we all did say a prayer, that place is dangerous, no rules what so ever, but we survived, and it was living on the edge type of fun. Oh and saw Mona too!
We stayed at a Chateau in the Beaujolais wine region, I tried plenty of red wine….I think I have developed a taste for red wine now. In fact, I can actually say I like red wine, surprise, surprise! There are so many who did once like it, but have since changed their minds….Good getting to know you time for the tour members.
Spain, Barcelona, a new drink called Sangria, a big night out for the tour group with some flamenco dancing as entertainment. Stayed in a camp site here which wasn’t as great as past accommodations, but we survived. Spent most of the time in Barcelona city, the major attraction was a light show, music show and water fall all combined into one, it was pretty spectacular. There was also a pretty amazing cathedral, the Sagrada Familia. Very different to anything I have ever seen before.
French Rivieria, WoW! Money, Money, Money, the people here are loaded, their toy boats are something special. Spent most time looking around Cannes and Nice. We went to Monte Carlo at night for a bit of a flutter on black jack. We have had plenty of practice playing cards on the bus during the long drives between countries. Loved this area with it’s warm weather, crystal clear water on the pebbly beaches and of course the extreme wealth.
Italy, next European land mark being the leaning tower of Pisa. Yes, it surely does lean. I was also surprised at how small it was. I had imagined it to be bigger. Next experience, Italian men! We went out to a disco in Florence. The guys on our tour had to protect the girls from the sleaziness in the nightclub. The men just went crazy for the Aussie women. The shopping was really great in Florence, I had to indulge in a beautiful leather jacket, I couldn’t resist!! Gold was also amazing, very Italian looking. Caught a glimpse of David too!
Rome, saw all the ancient stuff, the colosseum is very impressive. This was all I had thought Rome was but turns out it is much bigger. Of course, walked the famous Spanish steps and made a wish in the Trevi Fountain, it’s already come true, so it must have worked.
Vatican City. Hail the Pope, we were questioning whether or not he was actually alive. He was very old and struggled. We left feeling very fulfilled from the whole Popal experience and being able to see him at all. Had a wander through the famous Sistine Chapel, one of those things you have to do when in Rome, well in the Vatican City. Weather getting a lot hotter and feeling very blessed we moved on.
Pompeii, the ancient buried city, not much more to say, yep, been there, done that! It was interesting though how everything has been preserved.
Greek Islands, our first one was Corfu. Nothing much to do here but relax, no arguments with that at all! Had a day out on a boat called Georges. George was a dirty old man but the day out was a whole lot of fun. We got to play lots of games and had lots of laughs. In the evening we all dressed up for a toga party, those togas are pretty sexy! Had a great night out smashing plates, Greek Style, Opa!
Next Mykonos, this place is absolutely beautiful, it is what I had imagined a Greek Island to be like. More time to relax, I did the topless thing on the beach for the first time ever! It was due to peer pressure but a whole lot of fun, and I was face down. Most of the people on the beach were totally nude, so we did not feel out of place at all.
Athens, a bit worried now as it was the day after an earthquake. We did not see one bit of damage, although a few people swear they felt an aftershock. Saw the Acropolis and some more famous ancient ruins. Had a go at running a lap of the first Olympic stadium. Struggling and puffing at this stage as the famous Contiki cough had caught up with me.
Ah Venice, this place was really different. No more mopeds zooming past instead we now have gondolas. Of course, we had a ride in one and spent a few days seeing the sights around this pretty town. The Grand Canal, St Marks Square and all the beautiful bridges make Venice a stunning place.
Austria, the hills are alive!! There are so many hills and they are huge. Weather now getting colder but it’s okay as I have plenty of layers to wear. Went trout fishing for lunch, caught a huge one first go, it was yummy! Rode it off with a mountain bike ride. Decided to go with the boys for a bit of a work out and I definitely got that, and no sore muscles the next day either, I was impressed. Did a horse and cart ride around Vienna which was a really nice way to see the town.
Switzerland, really cold now, actually snowing with a blizzard. Thank goodness it was only whilst we were on top of the mountain, Mt Jungfraujoch is known as the top of Europe. It was such a contrast from the sunny beaches last week. Very amazing to witness though, went through ice caves and saw an avalanche.
Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest, need I say more! It was one hell of an experience, so, so, so many drunk people drinking out of huge things I could hardly lift. It took me all night to drink one stein, I was pretty impressed with myself considering I still hate beer. But, you have to do it. Plenty of sore heads the next morning especially with the boys as they all went in hard to try and make the most of the short time we had there. A top experience though.
Amsterdam, I can’t believe I have relatives from there. Although my impressions might not be completely reflective of the culture as we did hang out around the red light district. We went to a Dutch cultural evening, ie sex show! Saw the sites in the cafes ie drug houses. We went to a really great show on the last night where I had to marry some guy on stage, yes it was embarrassing but at least it wasn’t the sex show I was called up on stage for. Also visited the famous windmills, the clog factory and the cheese factory for the full Dutch experience.
All over and back to London for day 38, The Church! If you know London you would know that the Church is not what it seems. Definitely a memorable way to end a top trip. The Church is one crazy place. I will be staying on in London for a few months as there is so much to do and see here,
catch up soon. Love Kylie
So that was a number of years ago, the start of my love of travel, i now am a travel agent with my own business, and i dearly love to talk travel any day. Contact me any time to talk about your Contiki Tour, kylie@kb4travel.com.au or visit my website and sign up for our monthly newsletter at www.kb4travel.com.au
