I did the 46 day Ultimate European in July/August 2004 with Contiki as I have never travelled in Europe solo and was not sure about booking travel and accomodation over such a large area in so many different languages and customs. We covered 17 countries from London to Istanbul and back with no major problems getting from place to place.
If you keep in mind Contiki is a budget option you won't be too dissappointed. You get from place to place, basic city orientation and most of your meals for the price. I'm sure it could be done cheaper on your own, but thats always the case. Contiki means you don't have to organise travelling from city to city, finding a room, and worrying about your luggage. However it is very regimented, with NO flexibility in changing times and dates. If you miss the bus then it will go without you. Most people have questions about the bus, the people, the tour and accomodation so I will break it down like that.
The
tour group: One of the biggest questions, but Contiki cannot do anything about the people on tour unless they are a violent psychopath. It is up to YOU to adapt. The group is mostly Aussies, with some Kiwis, Saffas, Yanks and Canucks for variety. A wide age range on ours from 18-35 (just like the brochure says), from bright eyed students to grizzly veterans. You run into other Contikis, and get the impression that the shorter Contiki trips have younger crownds that become piss drinking trips, which is fine if it's your thing but will annoy you if not. The tour guides can only do so much with getting everyone to get along, so if you are not an easy going person then maybe not for you.
Tour leader and driver: The driver is the most important person, but the less you notice about the driving the better he is doing his job. We got from place to place on time without getting lost so that was great. Our tour leader did the basics very well, organised room and meals, ran city tours and did the timetables. He also pointed little things that make trips go smoothly like some basic phrases and customs, and where the Travelex/laundry/supermarket/phone is.Sometimes the directions were a little off but nothing serious
The bus: You will spend LOTS of time on the bus, maybe 30-40% of your days with an average 6-8 hours (up to ten hours some days). It is a bit of a waste of daylight but Europe is big so you will spend many days just travelling with only small breaks. You can't really get around this fact so don't complain unless you some magical teleportation devece. If you hate buses or have a small bladder then avoid these trips.
The tour: You get the basic highlights pointed out, city maps, info like where are the internet cafes, Amex/Travelex, laundry, etc. Guides are fairly knowledgable but are not experts so don't expect them to know everything. Mostly though you are left to explore by yourself. In Turkey and Romania you get a local guide who is also very helpful and knows a lot. However THIS ISNOT A GUIDED TOUR, there is no-one to hold your hand and you must get yourself organised once a city.
The accomodation: My biggest gripe, you are usually far away from the main city with no public transport so staying out late becomes expensive taking taxis back all the time. You are better off getting a cheap room with a group and finding the rest of the tour group the next day. With short Contiki tours you have no time to do this so tough luck. The accomodation is variable, from great campgrounds to sucky campgrounds. Usually the rooms are functional, with clean bed and bathrooms. Sometimes the showers and bathrooms are dirty or have no hot water where they are communal, but this was only in Barcelona and Roma. The hotels in Eastern Europe are more upmarket and comfortable but loses the camp spirit and you have to keep the noise down at night. The only place that hit the spot was Venice. Good but far flung campgrounds included Paris (but overpriced alcohol), Barcelona (beach!) with both running 40-50 Euro taxi fares to city, which are two cities you want to stay in at night. Its annoying to pay for extra accomation but you will get more out of the city this way.
The food: Solid, neither diabolical or outstanding. What you would expect your flatmates to cook around third or fourth year university. The meals are well balanced and there is usually enough for seconds. The Contiki reps do encourage you to take as much breakfast as you can for eating while on the bus or touring which is nice instead of having to sneak around like some other tours.
Overall: You see the big city highlights, drink piss at night then sleep on bus until the next city. Very much the sampler pack of tours. Great for big tours or more difficult countries to get around like Eastern Europe. Shorter Western Europe tours you could do yourself much better. If you want all night clubbing or far flung sightseeing then also maybe not for you. If you are pushed for time or unsure about organising things then this is the way to go.
Edit: I forgot to include the price as they change, but the 2004 usual price was around £2200 for 46 days, but I got an unadvertised special for £1800 by booking in advance through my travel agent (six months before). Remember to add on the extra food fund in small print to the advertised price.
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I just did the same tour and am about to write a review on Contiki - so I just popped by to see what some others thought - great review - almost exactly my European Contiki experience! Triciax
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Advantages: Good value for money, see loads of sights, have loads of fun & make friends Disadvantages: Standard if accommodation varies hugely , ditto food & I came back very tired!
Tricia24 28.09.2005 (28.09.2005)
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