Contiki's Ultimate European plus Egypt
Jun 20th, 2012, 04:38 AM
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One of the reference librarians in my town used Con Tiki for an Egypt trip and she loved it. I asked if there was a lot of partying on the Egypt trip and she said there was not - there were more serious young people.
Jun 20th, 2012, 04:54 AM
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I can call the library and ask her but the age group could vary for each tour. She doesn't look like she's 30 and hasn't been working at the library very long so I think she's not long out of school - that would put her about 26 to 28 years old, depending on when she went to grad school.
I think Con Tiki is for the 18 to 35 year olds so you would be at the upper age group.
You could see if Rick Steves has an Egypt tour. Since his tours are active you won't get a lot of 70 year olds. You probably don't want that either.
I think Con Tiki is for the 18 to 35 year olds so you would be at the upper age group.
You could see if Rick Steves has an Egypt tour. Since his tours are active you won't get a lot of 70 year olds. You probably don't want that either.
Jun 20th, 2012, 05:08 AM
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Thank you, I just looked at Rick Steves website & although the tours look good, I did not see anything that is as extensive as the 47 day Ultimate European Tour plus with Egypt. It seems like Contiki is the only tour that offers something this. Do you know of others?
Jun 20th, 2012, 05:14 AM
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Often you can combine tours with the same company. Without looking at the tour you are considering I would re-think a 47 day tour. It can get very tiring to always be on tour. And what if you get with a young party crowd? My immediate reaction is to tell you not to do this although I don't have a good reason - it's instinct.
Go to the Lonely Planet thorntree forum where there is a much younger crowd to see what their opinion is. Most people on this board are older than 30. But don't give up on us old folk - maybe we can find a way to get you what you want within your age group.
Also look at Road Scholar trips, although they are mostly for older people they have a wide variety of trips.
Go to the Lonely Planet thorntree forum where there is a much younger crowd to see what their opinion is. Most people on this board are older than 30. But don't give up on us old folk - maybe we can find a way to get you what you want within your age group.
Also look at Road Scholar trips, although they are mostly for older people they have a wide variety of trips.
Jun 20th, 2012, 05:19 AM
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I just looked at the trip on the Con Tiki site. I know you're young but if you are a serious traveler/tourist then this is not for you. It's a lot of running around with 1 and 2 night stays so you won't see anything in depth except the inside of the bus.
Decide if you want to go to many places and spend lots of time getting to them or actually see the places you visit.
Decide if you want to go to many places and spend lots of time getting to them or actually see the places you visit.
Jun 20th, 2012, 05:53 AM
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I appreciate your advice on this. This would be my first European trip & I want to see as much of Europe as possible even if for a short period of time in each place, the fact that the trip also included Egypt was wonderful to me. My thought is to see the countries & then go back for longer stays at other times to the places I enjoyed the most. Since I would be going alone, Contiki seemed like a good idea since most Contiki travellers travel solo. I just don't know where else I can find a trip like this?
Jun 20th, 2012, 06:23 AM
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I understand your position. BUT, have you read the itinerary? You have a few hours in London, a day in Paris, a day in Barcelona, a day in Venice, etc.
In the first 13 days you've only seen 3 major cities for 1 day each. You won't get an idea of what you want to go back to in this short time. Much of the time in these places is on your own so you need to read and decide ahead of time what you want to do during your short visit.
Many first time people dislike European cities because their time in them is too short and is spent trying to figure out where things are. They leave frustrated by the experience.
Focusing on a smaller area would be a better use of your time and money. You could do the 45 days solo and join up with short term tours during that time. If you stay in hostels you'll meet other people who are traveling solo. And many people on this board meet up in Europe for a meal and to share their trip experiences.
I've now preached enough. Whatever you decide, I hope you enjoy your trip.
In the first 13 days you've only seen 3 major cities for 1 day each. You won't get an idea of what you want to go back to in this short time. Much of the time in these places is on your own so you need to read and decide ahead of time what you want to do during your short visit.
Many first time people dislike European cities because their time in them is too short and is spent trying to figure out where things are. They leave frustrated by the experience.
Focusing on a smaller area would be a better use of your time and money. You could do the 45 days solo and join up with short term tours during that time. If you stay in hostels you'll meet other people who are traveling solo. And many people on this board meet up in Europe for a meal and to share their trip experiences.
I've now preached enough. Whatever you decide, I hope you enjoy your trip.
Jun 20th, 2012, 06:35 AM
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I just finished speaking with the librarian. She said on the Egypt only trip the average age was late 20s and it was a good tour.
She also did another Con Tiki western Europe trip (at a different time) that she did not enjoy as much. The average age was 18 to early 20s. She did 1 week on her own but booked a tour because she didn't think she would meet up with anyone. She said that after the tour she wished she had done the whole trip solo as she met up with lots of people her age who were traveling solo and wanted people to travel with. She said she had a good time on the Europe tour but wished she had not spent the money for the tour as she had a better time during the week on her own meeting people and traveling around with them.
The tour was too fast and she didn't have enough time in each location. She also didn't realize how far apart places were and how much time she would spend on the bus.
She also did another Con Tiki western Europe trip (at a different time) that she did not enjoy as much. The average age was 18 to early 20s. She did 1 week on her own but booked a tour because she didn't think she would meet up with anyone. She said that after the tour she wished she had done the whole trip solo as she met up with lots of people her age who were traveling solo and wanted people to travel with. She said she had a good time on the Europe tour but wished she had not spent the money for the tour as she had a better time during the week on her own meeting people and traveling around with them.
The tour was too fast and she didn't have enough time in each location. She also didn't realize how far apart places were and how much time she would spend on the bus.
Jun 20th, 2012, 06:36 AM
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You're probably right. Again, I appreciate your advise & I will look for another trip. Any suggestions of a tour where it's like a two week trip as an introduction to Europe? I know Contiki has a 14 day tour called European Discovery, do you know of another tour like this where it's a group my age?
Jun 20th, 2012, 06:43 AM
#12
Contiki tends to run young so you would likely be one of the older people on the tour. That could be a good or bad thing.
In any case - that specific tour is a <u>dreadful</u> itinerary.
"<i>I want to see as much of Europe as possible even if for a short period of time in each place,</i>"
A lot of folks think that at first.But in fact you will see next to nothing except through coach windows.
1/2 a day in London
1 day in Paris (They use the ferry so you lose a LOT of time)
More time in the Beaujolais than almost any other place - a whole 1.5 days.
1 day in Barcelona
1 day in Venice
1.5 days in Rome
and so on. This is NUTS.
In any case - that specific tour is a <u>dreadful</u> itinerary.
"<i>I want to see as much of Europe as possible even if for a short period of time in each place,</i>"
A lot of folks think that at first.But in fact you will see next to nothing except through coach windows.
1/2 a day in London
1 day in Paris (They use the ferry so you lose a LOT of time)
More time in the Beaujolais than almost any other place - a whole 1.5 days.
1 day in Barcelona
1 day in Venice
1.5 days in Rome
and so on. This is NUTS.
Jun 20th, 2012, 06:47 AM
#13
we were posting at the same time. Good that you are looking elsewhere.
Maybe consider two shorter tours w/ some time on you own in between. Something Like a tour of Italy for 2 weeks, a week in Paris or London on your own, then another 2 or 3 week tour of other countries.
Maybe consider two shorter tours w/ some time on you own in between. Something Like a tour of Italy for 2 weeks, a week in Paris or London on your own, then another 2 or 3 week tour of other countries.
Jun 20th, 2012, 06:48 AM
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Thanks janisj. What suggestions do you have for me?
I am a 30 year old female, who would be travelling alone & I have never done a European Tour & I want to see as much as possible so I can go back & spend more time in the places I liked the most.
I am a 30 year old female, who would be travelling alone & I have never done a European Tour & I want to see as much as possible so I can go back & spend more time in the places I liked the most.
Jun 20th, 2012, 07:11 AM
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I looked at European Discovery and it's still a lot of time on the bus. For instance, Lucerne to Paris is 6.5 hours plus stopping time so that's 1 day traveling. Florence to Lucerne is 5.5 hours, Rome to Venice is 6 hours. You also have to add time to check in and out of hotels and packing time. With a bunch of people on a bus there is waiting around time for everyone to get on and it's not unusual for some people to be late so you have to wait for them.
Did you look at the Italy only tours or the London and Paris tours? I have a very slow internet connection in my office so I couldn't look at all the Con Tiki tours. Choose a smaller area so you have more time in the cities and less on the bus. If you want to see how far places are from each other and how much bus time you'll have use:
http://en.mappy.com/
http://www.viamichelin.com/
If you do a short tour will you spend some time on your own and still go to Europe for the 45 days? You will meet people to hang with either on the tour or in hostels. I think you're nervous about going on your own but I can assure you that with proper planning you will have a good time.
I don't know of other tours for people your age. Most tours are for older people.
Did you look at the Italy only tours or the London and Paris tours? I have a very slow internet connection in my office so I couldn't look at all the Con Tiki tours. Choose a smaller area so you have more time in the cities and less on the bus. If you want to see how far places are from each other and how much bus time you'll have use:
http://en.mappy.com/
http://www.viamichelin.com/
If you do a short tour will you spend some time on your own and still go to Europe for the 45 days? You will meet people to hang with either on the tour or in hostels. I think you're nervous about going on your own but I can assure you that with proper planning you will have a good time.
I don't know of other tours for people your age. Most tours are for older people.
Jun 20th, 2012, 07:19 AM
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You're right I am nervous about going on my own. I am very outgoing & social so I know I will have no problem meeting new people but my nervousness comes from being a 30 year old female...alone...in terms of safety. It's too bad there is no tours for my age group...all seem to be older or younger...my search continues. I was hoping someone would know of the prefect tour for me.
Jun 20th, 2012, 07:20 AM
#18
If you want to take tours -- and the budget allows -- the higher end companies that do 'small group tours' provide a much better pace and allow you to see/do more. 'Small groups' are usually fewer than 20 or 25 and often fewer than 15. This lets them use smaller vehicles, better/more central hotels, and provide better service.
I don't have a specific company to recommend - but others may.
"<i>I want to see as much as possible so I can go back & spend more time in the places I liked the most.</i>"
It will really help if you let loose of the 'I want to see as much as possible' frame of mind. Tours that squeeze in a LOT mean you really see very little. Much Better IMO to take a more leisurely tour and actually see/do things.
40 or 50 days on the move on a tour bus won't give you the 'feel' of anything/anyplace.
I don't have a specific company to recommend - but others may.
"<i>I want to see as much as possible so I can go back & spend more time in the places I liked the most.</i>"
It will really help if you let loose of the 'I want to see as much as possible' frame of mind. Tours that squeeze in a LOT mean you really see very little. Much Better IMO to take a more leisurely tour and actually see/do things.
40 or 50 days on the move on a tour bus won't give you the 'feel' of anything/anyplace.
Jun 20th, 2012, 07:20 AM
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If you have never been on a group tour I totally concur with adrienne that you should seriously reconsider going on one for <i>47</i> days. That's a long time.
When I first started traveling to Europe I too went with escorted tours because I didn't have a traveling companion. I always combined escorted tours with a few days on my own before or after the tour, sometimes both. I had a great time on tours, and saw and did much more than I would have if I had traveled solo. I didn't mind that they were whirlwind trips with 1 and 2-night stays. In fact, I preferred it. But the longest time I ever spent on a tour was about 2 weeks, and by the end of it I was glad to go off on my own.
I don't know where you can find a trip comparable to the one you are contemplating, but have you considered Busabout? I have never traveled with them, so can't personally recommend. They are basically a hop on--hop off backpacker type of tour that gives you more flexibility that a traditional tour. Here's the link: http://www.busabout.com/
An old TA thread about busabout: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...n_England.html
Topdeck also offers tours for people 18- 30s: http://www.topdeck.travel/ You can ask questions on thorntree about these companies. More backpackers and budget travelers there. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa
Cosmos also offers budget tours. One drawback of Cosmos is that their hotels tend to be in the boonies. That wasn't the case years ago when I traveled with them, but it seems to be the case now, particularly in Europe. Most of the people on the Cosmos tours were 50 and over, but there were always a few of us in their 20s and 30s. http://www.cosmos.com/Vacations/Europe/Panoramas/
I am not going to suggest you do this trip on your own because you specifically asked about a tour. However, I do suggest that rather than doing a 47-day tour you consider combining 2 or 3 shorter tours with time on your own independently to regroup.
Good luck to you, whichever company you choose.
When I first started traveling to Europe I too went with escorted tours because I didn't have a traveling companion. I always combined escorted tours with a few days on my own before or after the tour, sometimes both. I had a great time on tours, and saw and did much more than I would have if I had traveled solo. I didn't mind that they were whirlwind trips with 1 and 2-night stays. In fact, I preferred it. But the longest time I ever spent on a tour was about 2 weeks, and by the end of it I was glad to go off on my own.
I don't know where you can find a trip comparable to the one you are contemplating, but have you considered Busabout? I have never traveled with them, so can't personally recommend. They are basically a hop on--hop off backpacker type of tour that gives you more flexibility that a traditional tour. Here's the link: http://www.busabout.com/
An old TA thread about busabout: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...n_England.html
Topdeck also offers tours for people 18- 30s: http://www.topdeck.travel/ You can ask questions on thorntree about these companies. More backpackers and budget travelers there. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa
Cosmos also offers budget tours. One drawback of Cosmos is that their hotels tend to be in the boonies. That wasn't the case years ago when I traveled with them, but it seems to be the case now, particularly in Europe. Most of the people on the Cosmos tours were 50 and over, but there were always a few of us in their 20s and 30s. http://www.cosmos.com/Vacations/Europe/Panoramas/
I am not going to suggest you do this trip on your own because you specifically asked about a tour. However, I do suggest that rather than doing a 47-day tour you consider combining 2 or 3 shorter tours with time on your own independently to regroup.
Good luck to you, whichever company you choose.
Jun 20th, 2012, 07:24 AM
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Check out Busabout, it's semi-independant travel: http://www.busabout.com/
Or check G Adventures, they may have the kind of tour you're looking for but as for all tours, you will be rushed and most of your time will be on a bus. I did a super fast Contiki Tour in my early 20's, while it was fun, I don't remember much of places we "saw".
Or check G Adventures, they may have the kind of tour you're looking for but as for all tours, you will be rushed and most of your time will be on a bus. I did a super fast Contiki Tour in my early 20's, while it was fun, I don't remember much of places we "saw".
