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SilverGS · 05-09-2011, 03:52 PM

Did a 16 day Contiki Tour a few years ago. I was a little worried about booking at first since I had heard it was a huge party fest and my wife and I would be on the older side and well not single. In the end I ended up booking it thinking worst case is we would just do our own thing and use the tour for transportation, shelter and some of the food.

We had a blast. There were people of all ages and travel types but we pretty much all got along, well for the most part. There were people who partied a lot, others who did both, and some who didn't party that much but preferred to check out each place when possible. Chances are you will find people to hang around with no matter what you want from the tour.

When I went I found there were 3 levels of yours
1. Camping Tour - Generally the youngest average age and most partying since it is the cheapest option. You do camp and sleep in a tent.
2. Split Camp/Hostel Tour - A bit more expensive so average age slightly higher and mostly hotels with potential camping some days
3. Hotel Tour - Most expensive so average age tends to be slightly higher. Of course when I mean higher probably 25. In Europe you share with 1 other person or as getbak mentioned you can pay the single room fee to get your own room.

There is a lot of bus travel but you do get to see a lot for the price you pay. I know quite a few people hooked up on the tour including the bus driver. We were able to balance it quite easily. If you want to party every night you can. If not you can go do your own thing. No one on my tour made a big deal either way.

There is a bit of luck as well. I have talked to others who have done Contiki tours and thought they were ok and don't keep in touch with anyone anymore. Ours however got along fabulously. Half my tour is on FB regularly, a group of girls from Aus, US, and Canada have even gone on a few more trips together because they liked traveling together so much. I even got a couple of wedding invitations from tour members last couple of years. Overall, I would definitely recommend doing a Contiki tour. I think worse case scenario if you don't get along with many people is you get to see a lot of Europe in a small amount of time at a decent price.

05-09-2011, 03:52 PM	#28
SilverGS Powerplay Quarterback Join Date: May 2009 Location: Calgary Exp:	Did a 16 day Contiki Tour a few years ago. I was a little worried about booking at first since I had heard it was a huge party fest and my wife and I would be on the older side and well not single. In the end I ended up booking it thinking worst case is we would just do our own thing and use the tour for transportation, shelter and some of the food. We had a blast. There were people of all ages and travel types but we pretty much all got along, well for the most part. There were people who partied a lot, others who did both, and some who didn't party that much but preferred to check out each place when possible. Chances are you will find people to hang around with no matter what you want from the tour. When I went I found there were 3 levels of yours 1. Camping Tour - Generally the youngest average age and most partying since it is the cheapest option. You do camp and sleep in a tent. 2. Split Camp/Hostel Tour - A bit more expensive so average age slightly higher and mostly hotels with potential camping some days 3. Hotel Tour - Most expensive so average age tends to be slightly higher. Of course when I mean higher probably 25. In Europe you share with 1 other person or as getbak mentioned you can pay the single room fee to get your own room. There is a lot of bus travel but you do get to see a lot for the price you pay. I know quite a few people hooked up on the tour including the bus driver. We were able to balance it quite easily. If you want to party every night you can. If not you can go do your own thing. No one on my tour made a big deal either way. There is a bit of luck as well. I have talked to others who have done Contiki tours and thought they were ok and don't keep in touch with anyone anymore. Ours however got along fabulously. Half my tour is on FB regularly, a group of girls from Aus, US, and Canada have even gone on a few more trips together because they liked traveling together so much. I even got a couple of wedding invitations from tour members last couple of years. Overall, I would definitely recommend doing a Contiki tour. I think worse case scenario if you don't get along with many people is you get to see a lot of Europe in a small amount of time at a decent price.