Recent Articles

These are the most recently updated articles in Contikipedia.

1. Where you stay - Concept & Budget Tours

   PLEASE NOTE: These are just a sample of some of the accommodation Contiki uses throughout Europe. There is no guarantee that every tour will stay in the lodgings listed below. Check your Contiki Travel Documents for confirmation of your accommodations. Where you stay is one of the main differences between tour styles offered by Contiki in Europe. A Concept or Budget Tour is all about mixing it up, so get ready to stay in everything from hot... read more >>

   1 comment | Saved 60 times

2. Heathrow Airport (London)

   More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe The Royal National Hotel is used as the London base for most Contiki Tours starting and finishing in London, England. A great many clients choose to stay at either the Royal National Hotel or just down the road at the Imperial Hotel. The Royal National Hotel is also home to the Contiki Basement, the meeting point for tours starting in London and Contiki’s London travel base. Directions from Heathrow to the Royal Natio... read more >>

   29 comments | Saved 447 times

3. Western European language basics

   There is no need to enroll in French, Italian, German and Spanish classes for your European Tour. Your Tour Manager will fill you in on how to say some of the basics (eg. hello, please, thank you) in the native tongue of each of the countries you visit. It is often not only useful, but also polite to know a few of the basics in the local language and it’s a good idea to try and remember and uses these basics. English is a widely spoken and understood ... read more >>

   10 comments | Saved 324 times

4. How much spending money should I bring? - Europe

   More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe How much spending money to budget for is a difficult question to answer. Everyone has their own style and rate of travel spending. Some will go out and shop ‘til they drop spending 100s of Euros or Pounds every day, others might spend more in bars, or on museum entries and souvenirs, while others get by on the bare essentials. Unlike many holiday and vacation operators, Contiki inclu... read more >>

   58 comments | Saved 628 times

5. Dress code - Europe

   More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe Contrary to some literature, you do not need to dress up with dress pants and dresses to get into clubs and bars in Europe. Most of the time jeans and a t-shirt is more than enough with some bars and venues even allowing entry with shorts and flip flops. General For most occasions, comfortable, casual clothes are recommended for your European travel adevntures. Going Out and Evening Wear Although you don’t have to wear slacks and ... read more >>

   31 comments | Saved 657 times

6. Suggested packing list - Europe - Summer

   More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe What to pack for travel to other parts of the world The following is a suggested packing list for a Europe summer tour. Keep in mind this is not a definitive list – everyone has individual fashion tastes, preferences, opinions, and styles in terms of what they want to wear and bring along! This is meant to be a good guide to help you in packing for your European vacation. Clothes 1 rainpro... read more >>

   214 comments | Saved 1336 times

7. Pre departure meeting - Europe

   More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe The pre departure meetings are a great opportunity for you to meet your Tour Manager and your fellow travelers but also saves a lot of time the next morning. The venue for your meeting will depend on your departure city while the time will depend on the style of tour you have chosen. Tours Departing London The pre departure meeting in London usually is scheduled for the night before your tour leaves. This meeting... read more >>

   7 comments | Saved 66 times

8. Tips on Saving for a Trip

   Based on the Contiki Forums Topic Personal Loan or Hard Saving..? Save on Tour Costs and Flights Shop around for the best deals for airfares etc You would be amazed at how much prices can vary. Get quotes and do your sums and book early for the most inexpensive tickets, also departing/arriving between Tues-Thursday will cut the ticket cost. Try and not go in peak season (from June till the end of August & December/school holidays) Check for deals f... read more >>

   70 comments | Saved 194 times

9. Arrival times - Europe

   More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe As much as you probably won’t want it to, the tour has got to end some time. Weather, traffic and other external factors out of our control may effect arrival times, therefore these times should be used as a general guide. Finishing at the Royal National Hotel, London Many of our European Tours finish at the same place they start – in London at the Royal National Hotel (official site), Russell Square. Camping Tours a... read more >>

   0 comments | Saved 19 times

10. Phone Calls - Europe

    More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe Telephone call centres are reasonably common in major European cities and rates vary from country to country and city to city. You simply use the phones provided in telephone call centre and pay by the minute (usually very cheap). Phone Cards One of the best and cheapest ways to call home is by using international calling cards that can usually be purchased from corner stores and newspaper outlets. Most cards however are country specific ... read more >>

    10 comments | Saved 30 times

11. Laundry Facilities - Europe

    More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe Laundry facilities on Contiki’s European Tours vary depending on the style of tour and length of the stays that you have in the cities. Time Out/Superior/Hotel Tours As a general rule, on Time Out/Superior/Hotel Tours, it is difficult to wash clothes on one night stops as your itinerary is full and finding the time to wash may be difficult. Some hotels have coin operated laundry facilities while others offer service... read more >>

    7 comments | Saved 74 times

12. Money - Europe

    More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe The Euro Zone The Euro (€) is the most widely accepted currency in the world and is the official currency of 13 European Union countries as well as being accepted in many other countries where it is used unofficially. The countries where the Euro is the official currency are: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain The United Kingdom The official currenc... read more >>

    4 comments | Saved 33 times

13. Day bag

    More Tour and Travel Advice for: Australia, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand A day bag is a bag that is big enough to fit in what you may need for a day’s sightseeing (for example a backpack, a shoulder bag, a big hand bag or a ‘man bag’). Everyone has different styles, some guys will leave the accommodation in the morning with nothing but a camera and a wallet in their pockets. Others like to be prepared for anything and will pack water bottles, umbrellas, cameras, jack... read more >>

    12 comments | Saved 69 times

14. Overnight bag

    More Tour and Travel Advice for: Australia, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand An overnight bag is simply a small backpack-sized bad that you bring yourself and you pack with clothes, toiletries and anything you think you may need for the next day. This can often make your travel experience easier as it is more practical than carrying a large bag or suitcase up small hotel stairs where there is no elevator, onto a ferry or onto a cable car up a mountain. Overnight bags are a good id... read more >>

    0 comments | Saved 26 times

15. Weight Limits and Size - Europe

    More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe Contiki Tours in Europe have a luggage restriction of 1×20 kilogram (44lbs) bag and 1 x carry on (roughly 5 kilograms/12lb) bag. This weight restriction is for legal requirements within the European Union as well as for your comfort and safety. The size restriction of you main luggage is 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”) is also observed. Bags are not measured however you bags will be weighed o... read more >>

    62 comments | Saved 356 times

16. Optional Excursions - Europe

    Everyone is different, so you have a choice to enhance your itinerary with Optional Excursions during your tour. This choice of activities is based on what past travellers have asked for and are designed to help you get the most out of your tour. What are Optional Excursions How to pay Here’s a taste of what’s available Austria White Water Rafting Mountain Biking Mozart and Strauss Concert Croatia Dubrovni... read more >>

    14 comments | Saved 75 times

17. Suitcase Vs Backpack

    More Tour and Travel Advice for: Europe, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand “I would advise travellers to take a suitcase with an extendable handle and wheels for any overseas trip. Firstly, suitcases can be packed in a very organized manner so that anything is easily accessible once you hit your hotel room. Wheels and a handle allow for easy transport, whether into a hotel, a coach in the morning, or out onto a sidewalk to catch a cab to the airport. Additionally, ... read more >>

    58 comments | Saved 459 times

18. Carry on luggage

    More Tour and Travel Advice for: Australia, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand Carry on luggage is the luggage that carry onto the airplane with you (ie luggage you do not check). Many airlines have different restrictions that are applied to varying degrees from airline to airline. Check your airlines web site for their terms and conditions with respect to carry on luggage Remember to check the restrictions on carrying liquids and sharp objects onto aircraft. Most airli... read more >>

    8 comments | Saved 149 times

19. Power adapters

    More Tour and Travel Advice for: Europe, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand Do you need a power point adapter? If you’re travelling away form your home country or region of the world then chances are that yes, you do. Power outlets have different shapes in different parts of the world and you may need an adapter to convert the shape of your home power plugs to the shape of the outlets in the region of the world you are travelling to. How many do you need? It dep... read more >>

    31 comments | Saved 322 times

20. Accommodation - London

    More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe Contiki offers discounted rates on our regular hotels in central London. All Rates are Per Person, Per Night. You can book your hotel when you make your tour booking. Alternatively, some people also stay in hostels in London before or after their tour. Royal National Hotel Summer: Twin £40, Triple £30 Winter: Twin £39, Triple £29 Imperial Hotel Summer: Single £75, Twin £50 Winter: Single £60, Twin £45 Co... read more >>

    7 comments | Saved 27 times