Comments on: Would You Contiki?

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:26:33 +0000

My boyfriend has just taken apart of a European contiki tour…
He had some interesting things to say about the behaviour of the staff (bus driver and tour guide).
On one of the many drunken nights out, the bus driver slept with a highly intoxicated girl who was much younger than him. I feel sorry for the girl who had to get back onto the bus the next day.
The tour guide was giving her room number out to a new guy each week…
The staff weren’t the only ones up for a “good time”. One particular Contiki explorer managed to sleep with three different girls in the first week of the tour.

There seemed to be more focus on drinking and how many shots you consumed than how many sights you saw.

I certainly won’t be going on a Contiki tour after hearing about this drunken orgy around Europe. There are many classier options than this. Thoroughly unimpressed.

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:42:08 +0000

I didn’t use hostels as the equivalent, I used accommodation on the same price level. The point here is that Contiki is not cheaper than solo travel. Tour companies have costs that solo travelers don’t.

By: nunya

nunya — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 22:01:11 +0000

@ Nomadicmatt

No, you didn’t use the same accomodation as Contiki for the European Horizon. Not all of the accomodations for this trip are booked in hostels, only 1 and this was in Munich. For 2 of the stops the tour is accomodated at a Contiki owned property (Tyrol, Austria and the Swiss Alps). You would not be able to get access for the pricing on either of these properties as they are only for Contiki. Also, there are nights where you are staying in a Contiki owned cabin, also only for Contiki.
Get all the accomdations correct then make your assesment.

By: Canuck25

Canuck25 — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 08:55:12 +0000

I did a Contiki Europe trip about five years ago (hotel version, not campsite version), and I had an awesome time. Yes there was a lot of partying, but it was not what a lot of people make it out to be, and you weren’t pressured into taking part. Being a single female on a budget, it was a great way to see Europe for the first time and decide which countries I’d like to see more of. I also met some awesome people from around the world on my tour (many of whom I am still friends with). As for cost, I spent under $3000 for an amazing two weeks in Europe (including airfare and spending money), and even came home with money left over. So I really have no complaints about the cost of Contiki.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:58:21 +0000

For anyone thinking of going on a Contiki tour, I wrote a travel blog day by day when I was on mine. I had a ball, I doubt many people would regret going on it, cost or not.

here it is…
http://pattoineurope.blogspot.com/

Hope I could help someone,
Andrew.

By: franz chong

franz chong — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 02:58:53 +0000

I did a Contiki Tour to Vietnam last year and had a wonderful time.It is a little different in Asia as opposed to Europe in that the group I was with made up of a few older people and some 18 to late twenty somethings are there to take in the culture learn about the place and have a great time.As for the horror stories I was expecting about the travellers hooking up with their fellow companions plus all the time drinking and partying There was nothing of the sort.Next year I am doing an Insight Tour to Egypt as I was looking for a memorable once in a lifetime experience given my age(It will be about six months after my 33rd Birthday)holiday and wanted a high level and care to attention and in places like the Middle East and Europe No matter what the price difference is Always go for one of the better operators if you can at any cost.My agent recommended Insight and I don’t feel out of place

By: tina

tina — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:59:24 +0000

oh good gravy it is not a big drunkfest. yes, there are loads of people that choose to drink their faces off and neglect all the city around them in the afternoon/evening. but dont everyone preach at us that backbackers dont get equally wasted and that somehow booking a tour on your own means you dont indulge as much as the coniki-ers. first time travellers should have no fear about travelling with contiki, but it is definitely a great “door opener” to more independent travel like gap or intrepid or simply doing your own thing. but there is no requirement that says to be a legitimate traveller you have to go solo. yeesh! high horse!!

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:00:26 +0000

Of course. I made a point to otherwise my argument is not valid. I noted it in the original post.

By: brad

brad — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:52:43 +0000

did you use the exact same hotels, same bus companies and same tour guides too? I’m not dismissing your point but to be fair, all the details must be the same.

By: brad

brad — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:50:46 +0000

I did that very tour and the reputation of contiki that people on this site (almost all of which havent even been one one!)’have is wrong, you see and experience the culture very well, its up to you how much and if you party. It is not a big drunken orgy as people seem to think. The only downside is that in many places you will want to stay alot longer but that is like any tour, you are forced to leave. Seriously that tour is awesome, It has shown me places I want to visit again and I have met great people in the process.