Recent Articles

These are the most recently updated articles in Contikipedia.

1. Europe

   Europe is easily one of the most diverse regions of the world. With over 40 countries linked together on the second smallest continent in the world, the variety and range of cultures and experiences Europe provides is simply second to none. With over 60 itineraries as well as custom and charter tour, Contiki’s Europe provides something for every traveler, adventurer, vacationer or holiday maker. Countries Italy, France and Spain are but a few of the Countries Contiki visits in Europe Sights a... read more >>

   112 comments | Saved 53 times

2. 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 >>

   52 comments | Saved 556 times

3. 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 >>

   24 comments | Saved 598 times

4. 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 >>

   190 comments | Saved 1203 times

5. 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 >>

   23 comments | Saved 371 times

6. Helicopter Flight, Grand Canyon

   by – Alex McCarty, Tour Manager, North America The main thing you should know about the helicopter flights over the Grand Canyon is this: it definitely must be done. The only question is which one! Seeing the grandeur of one of Mother Nature’s finest masterpieces from the sky is absolutely the only way to begin to understand just how massive this geologic marvel really is. Without fail, those who do a flight come back grinning ear to ear,... read more >>

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7. Optional Excursions - North America

   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 SeaWorld, San Diego The San Diego Zoo San Diego Harbour Cruise Helicopter Fligh... read more >>

   0 comments | Saved 11 times

8. How much spending money should I bring? - North America

   More Tour and Travel Advice for the USA and Canada How much spending money to budget for is a difficult question to answer as everyone has their own style and rate of travel spending. Some will go out and shop till they drop spending perhaps 100’s of dollars every day, other will party spending more in bars while again others will spend more money on museum entries and souvenirs, while others yet again will g... read more >>

   4 comments | Saved 36 times

9. Getting Places - North America

   Here’s the easiest and best ways to travel to our hotels and starting points for our USA and Canada Tours! Chicago airports to the Days Inn, Lincoln Park Las Vegas airport to America’s Best Value Inn New Orleans International airport to the Prytania Park Hotel New York Airports to New York Hotels Vancouver International airport to the Sandman Hotel If you need to take an internal (domestic) flight in the US it may also pay to check out some ways to pick up low cost flights in the USA.

   0 comments | Saved 4 times

10. Travelling alone

    Everyone has different attitudes and opinions and philosophies when it comes to travelling alone. Even amongst those who choose to go it alone there is a mix of feelings with some being a little frightened and nervous while others cannot wait to get out on their own. In a poll conducted on the Contiki forums, almost 70% of people polled as travelling on tour alone. So even though you start the tour alone, you’re not the only one travelling alone. The tours are very social so you wi... read more >>

    111 comments | Saved 165 times

11. 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 >>

    8 comments | Saved 291 times

12. Egypt

    Capital: Cairo Currency: Egyptian Pound (official), Euro (unofficial), US Dollar (unofficial) Language: Arabic (Egyptian dialect), English and French widely understood Visas: A vast majority of passport holders can obtain a visa upon entering Egypt. This is often cheaper than obtaining one before you leave home. You should however check Egyptian Consulate web sites for the most up to date information on visa requirements and costs. Contiki Tours that travel to Egypt > The Pyramids, the Sphin... read more >>

    2 comments | Saved 21 times

13. Getting Places - New Zealand

    Here’s the easiest and best ways to travel to our hotels and starting points for our New Zealand Tours! Auckland Airport to the Mercure Hotel Christchruch Airport to the Bealey’s Hotel Queenstown Airport to the Queenstown Lodge Wellington Airport to the Abel Tasman Hotel

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14. Tour and Travel Advice - New Zealand

    More Tour and Travel Advice for: Australia, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand Planning a Trip Away Choosing a tour | Tips on Saving for a Trip What to pack New Zealand can see four seasons in one day and choosing what to pack is an important decision. Suggested Packing List | Laptops | Digital Memory Storage | Guide Books and Maps | Power Adapeters | Shoes and Footwear Luggage Suitcases? Backpacks? Weight restrictions? ... read more >>

    0 comments | Saved 11 times

15. Suggested packing list - New Zealand

    More Tour and Travel Advice for New Zealand What to pack for travel to other parts of the world The following is a suggested packing list for a New Zealand tour. New Zealand is well know for having ‘4 seasons in one day’ – In other words, you should expect almost any type of weather at any time of day. People are individuals and often have personal preferences and opinions as to what to bring. The following then is not a... read more >>

    2 comments | Saved 47 times

16. Tour and Travel Advice - Europe

    More Tour and Travel Advice for: Australia, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand Planning a Trip Away Choosing a tour | Tips on Saving for a Trip What to Pack Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or taking your first big trip overseas, deciding on what to pack is an important decision. Suggested Summer Packing List | Suggested Winter Packing List | Digital Memory Storage | Guide Books and Maps | Power Adapeters | Shoes and Footwear | ... read more >>

    3 comments | Saved 265 times

17. The Euro

    More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe The Euro is the official currency of the European Union (EU) and is the most widely used currency not only in Europe, but the world. Even though it is the official currency of the EU not all countries in the EU use or accept the Euro while there are also many countries outside of the EU where the Euro is used as and unofficial form of currency (ie you can spend and use the Euro even though it is not the official currency). Euro coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 an... read more >>

    2 comments | Saved 34 times

18. 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 288 times

19. Tour and Travel Advice - USA and Canada

    More Tour and Travel Advice for: Australia, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand Planning a Trip Away Choosing a tour | Tips on Saving for a Trip What to Pack Hiking shoes for the Grand Canyon, clubbing kit for Vegas, power adapters and more about what to pack for your tour… Suggested Packing List | Digital Memory Storage | Guide Books and Maps | Power Adapeters | Shoes and Footwear | Dressing up while on Tour Lug... read more >>

    1 comment | Saved 42 times

20. Suggested packing list - Europe - Winter

    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 Contiki winter tour to Europe. People are individuals though and often have personal preferences and opinions as to what to bring. The following then is not a definitive list, but should give you a good guide as to what you should pack for your European winter tour. Clothes 1 rainproof jacke... read more >>

    28 comments | Saved 343 times