Thinking of travelling with Contiki?  Here’s the low-down on what to expect.  If you’re looking for a comparison between Contiki and other tour companies like G Adventures, see here.

Before the Trip
You can expect a small welcome package, which includes a padded passport holder and luggage tag.  The passport holder includes all the required documents for the trip, including a strict luggage size/weight restrictions leaflet (you are only allowed one suitcase).  Be sure to adhere to the weight restrictions as Contiki does weigh your luggage before boarding its buses.  As for the passport holder, it tends to be a bit bulky (how much padded protection does your passport need?) so it’s probably not needed for the trip, but if you do take it with you be sure to remove the bulky Contiki marketing documents to save on weight.

Another import thing to consider is whether your tour starts on ‘Day 1’ or if the first day is considered a travel day to get to the starting destination.  Depending on tour, it might be required for you to arrive a day earlier (and stay an extra night).  Same goes for at the end of the tour if you plan on leaving right away.  Ensure that you have plenty of time to get to the airport from the final dropoff point.

If you’re interested in meeting other travellers from your group beforehand, be sure to sign-up online for Contiki’s ‘Meetup’ forum.  You will need your tour code to get into the group and it will allow you to message others and post pictures.  There is also a handy iOS and Android app available.

Arrival and Pre-Depature Meeting
Depending on the tour, there will be a pre-departure meeting.  Although not mandatory, it is highly recommended.  Plus you get the chance to meet everyone and even grab a drink after.

As mentioned above, before leaving the Contiki staff will weight your non-carry-on luggage.  The good thing is, it only has to meet the weight restriction at the beginning so if you’re worried that you might be slightly over, stuff all your heavy items into your carry-on (batteries, chargers, carmera, laptop, etc.) then reallocate later.  Be sure to take some water and snacks on with you as the departures are usually early and some locations don’t have convenient breakfast options.

During the Tour
The coaches are clean and well maintained.  Alcohol and dairy drinks are not allowed as it can start to smell if it spills or spoils.  To be considerate to others, water is probably best (there will be plenty of time later for other ‘beverages’).  As nice as the coaches are, germs can spread fast in a confined area so proper sanitation (alcohol wipes) is highly recommended.  Be proactive by eating properly, hydrating, and taking ‘immune boosters’ like ColdFx throughout the whole trip (regardless of how you feel).

Expect a good amount of interaction where you will get to meet the other travellers.  The tour leader will lead a lot of these, but they are always open to recommendations.  If you want to be a hero, bring stick-on name tags for the group.

The departure times at each stop are strictly enforced and the coach will not hesitate to leave without you.  Punctuality is very important regardless of how hard you partied the night before.  If you miss the coach, it will be up to you to catch-up on your own dime.

As great as the main attractions are, plan and make time for the more local experiences.  Goes without saying, the main tourist areas are overpriced for everything so taking the time to do the research to find areas away form the ‘beaten path’ is well worthwhile.

Near the End
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end.  Be sure to setup a Facebook group to share pictures and keep in touch with everyone.  There’s plenty of time on the coach throughout the trip to share contact info and plan ways to share photos and videos.  Also, be sure to ask around to see who’s sticking around after the tour.  Depending on how proactive you are, you might be able to split costs like hotel rooms, taxis, local tours, and meals.

Safe Travels Everyone!

*This post contains affiliate links.

One of the best packing videos I have seen!

One downfall I can see with this packing method is how much of a pain it is to put things back if you’re constantly on the move or need something quickly from your suitcase.

So you want to travel, but are having trouble balancing travel and finances. Where do you even begin? Here are some tips to get you traveling sooner, longer, and more often.

Cut reoccurring expenses:
Start by analyzing your reoccurring monthly expenses that are more wants than needs. This includes things that are always the same price (e.g. phone bill, gym membership, etc.) and things that fluctuate (e.g. weekly drinks with friends, gas, daily coffee, etc.). Be sure to create a list of these and total costs in some sort of chart to really help you visualize where your money is going.

Once you have a list, set a goal of how much you want to reduce these costs by – $100 a month? $250 a month? Then consider how many months it will take to reach your goal if you were to reduce these costs. Can you wait that long? Are you disciplined enough to not spend the savings on something else?

At the end of the day, it’s all about priorities. Are weekly drinks with your friends or daily coffees worth more than the experience of traveling? If so, carry on. If not, it’s time to start cutting!

Charge up at work:
It might seem extreme, but if you pay for your own hydro at home, get into the habit of charging your devices at work.  Stuff like your smartphone, laptop, and tablet can be charged during the day and run off its battery at night.  Same goes for your water usage.  If you can, wash your lunch containers and cups at work instead of doing it at home.

With electricity costs on the rise, being diligent could save you hundreds over the year without much additional effort.

Start an automatic saving program:
Along with the above, take the savings and invest it into a savings account through an automatic savings program. Have the savings get transferred on the same day as each payday to make it seem more painless. $50 a week will turn into more than $2600 in a year! For context, that’s $10 a working day (assuming 5 working days in a week) so you really have no excuse.

Move back home:
If you’re considering traveling for a good while, moving back in with the parents for a couple months before departure can do wonders for your travel budget (assuming your parents don’t charge you for rent or food) and it will give you an opportunity to spend time with them before you leave.

See your stuff on eBay:
If you haven’t used something in 6 months, you’re probably better off trying to get rid of it on eBay. On average, a user can make over $1000 by cleaning out and selling their excess stuff on eBay.

This applies to buying as well. If you need travel gear, it’s usually cheaper to buy it on eBay or Amazon.

Start planning accommodations early with AirBnB:
AirBnB is a great site to find highly affordable places to stay both on and off the beaten path. It’s also a great way to meet someone that lives locally to where you are going that doesn’t necessarily work in the tourism industry. This usually means more authentic local experiences that most others won’t get to experience.

On the flip side, you can always rent your place on AirBnb (both while at home or while you’re travelling) for some extra cash.

Group travel discounts and freebies:
If you’re planning on traveling as a group, be sure to look for group discounts. For even larger groups, the organizers usually get a free trip or highly discounted rate if they are able to get a minimum number of people together for the same trip.

Pickup some part-time work during your downtime:
Even if you’re ‘time’ is worth more, during downtime you can either make $0/hour or pickup some menial work for $10/hour (that you can do while watching TV) through sites like Elance.

I loved the collection below. Full credits to Mella Noha via Distractify and photo credits are to the respective owners.

The Eiffel tower, Golden Gate Bridge and the Colosseum may be amazing in their own right, but there’s something special about going to a spectacular location that few travelers venture to. Take a virtual journey with me to these secretly underrated places…

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is a medieval city is still largely intact. So much so, that parts of the city are used as King’s Landing in Game of Thrones. The city is brimming with amazing architecture and surrounded by the Mediterranean on one side and walls on the other.

Albarracín, Aragon, Spain

Albarracín is a beautifully preserved medieval village in Northern Spain. The rock paintings in the cliff-foot caves of the Albarracin Cultural Park (some of the most important evidences of the Levantine prehistoric art of Spain) and the “Picaportes” (door knobs) are something to marvel at!

Bagan, Burma

Bagan is an ancient city hidden deep inside Burma. At the height of the Kingdom of Pagan, the city had over 10,000 Buddhist temples. Today, over 2200 of these are still standing, making it an amazing place to visit.

Aescher, Switzerland

Aescher hotel is so high up on the Appenzellerland mountains that you have to hike or get a cable car to reach it. Amenities are intentionally basic but the food is hearty and the nearby trails lead to exhilarating adventures.

Haiku Stairs, Hawaii

Known as the Stairway to Heaven, this fairly unknown hiking trail can be found on the island of O’ahu. The trail is steep and ends at a peak 2,800 feet above the sea, which offers amazing views of the island.

Pingvallavatn Lake, Iceland

Found deep within this huge National Park is the boundary between North America and Europe. Lucky divers can swim in between the tectonic plates of these two continents, which is getting 2 centimeters wider every year.

Chefchaouen, Northwest Morocco

Chefchaouen is best known for its blue buildings, painted in a spectrum of soothing hues. If you want to escape the city, make sure to check out the nearby Rif mountains and the Cascades d’Akchour!

Lord Howe Island, Australia

This beautiful island is mostly untouched by man, with a tiny native population and only 400 tourists being allowed to visit each year. The limit is in place to protect the amazing natural landscape of Howe Island, which is home to a beautiful crystal lagoon and coral reef.

Huacachina, Peruvian Desert

Huacachina is a tiny village of just over 100 people built around a lush oasis in an otherwise barren desert. For a few bucks, you can rent sandboarding equipment and try one of the locals’ favorite thrills.

The Bastei Bridge in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Germany

Visit also Lilienstein, one of several small mesas in Saxony – it’s surreal to watch the fog roll over.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, best known for its unique moon-like landscape, underground cities and cave towns. All of which is best seen from the sky, with dozens of hot air balloons offering amazing bird eye views.

Hallstatt, Austria

Hallstat is a medieval village which is home to less than 1,000 people. High in the mountains of Hallstat, you can explore prehistoric mines that were some of the first in the entire world.

Leptis Magna, Tripoli, Libya

Leptis Magna was once a major city of the Roman Empire. Now, its ruins act as an adventurer’s playground. If you want to experience the amazing sights of ancient Rome, but avoid competing with the crowds, this is the place to go.

The Alcazar of Segovia, Spain

The Alcázar of Segovia is a stone fortification, located in the old part of the city. It’s one of the most distinctive castles in Spain by the virtue of its shape – like the bow of a ship.

Hotel Moulin de Roc, France

Deep in the province of Dordogne, you’ll find an old mill transformed into an amazingly quaint hotel on the banks of a peaceful river, with nothing around for miles. It’s also home to the renowned Michelin Star restaurant, with plenty of outdoor seating.

The Peacock Room in Castello di Sammezzano, Tuscany

Within the abandon castle Castello di Sammezzano you can find the Peacock Room. A hidden jewel features intricate Moorish designs and a breathtaking assortment of patterns and colors. The beauty of the memorizing interiors is simply beyond comparison.

Deception Island, Antarctica

This ring shaped island is so remote that it can only be accessed by tour boats. The inside of the island offers sanctuary from storms and icebergs for a host of creatures, including hundreds of penguins. If you want to escape the cold, the island is situated on an active volcano and home to hot springs galore.

Melissani Cave, Kefalonia, Greece

In Greek mythology, nymphs (female nature deities) inhabited this breathtaking cave and lured men in with their beauty. Under a high sun, the amazingly blue is illuminated for any lucky swimmers.

Meghalaya, India

The hills of Meghalaya receive nearly 40 feet of rain every year, meaning that the valley floors of this beautiful but remote forest are often transformed into rivers. Complex series of skybridges help you to navigate the environment.

Craco, Matera, Basilicata

The medieval village of Craco is part of an incredible region with undulating shapes and vast farmland. Since the sudden abandonment of the village, rumour has it that the ruins have become inhabited by ghosts.

Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, Portugal

Quinta da Regaleira is an estate located near the historic center of Sintra, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Make sure to check out the Gruta do Labirinto (the Labyrinthic Grotto) and it’s mysterious wishing well! This 27 meter deep well resembles an inverted tower. Depending on the direction you choose, either a journey down into the depths of the earth, or a climb out of the darkness into the light awaits.

WeiBgerbergasse, Nuremberg, Germany

Be sure to also visit the small town of Bamberg and the Altenburg castle, which sits on the tallest of the seven hills, overlooking the city!

Procida, Italy

Procida is a beautiful Mediterranean island paradise. Terra Murata is the highest point on the Island aswell as its heart.

Lofoten Islands, Norway

The Lofoten Islands are a group of islands found in Northern Norway, within the arctic circle. The islands are home to seductively quaint fishing villages, the world’s deepest coral reef and amazing views of the Northern lights.

Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Cocos Island is an uninhabited island located 300 miles off the shore of Costa Rica. As a national park, the island is untouched by civilization and acts as one of the best scuba diving spots in the entire world because of its spectacular marine fauna.

Rock Tombs in Myra, Lycia, Turkey

After visiting the tombs you can go to the real Saint Nicholas Church. The perfect place to go to ask Santa why he got you the wrong gift last year.

Herrenchiemsee New Palace, lake Chiemsee, Germany

In 1873 King Ludwig II of Bavaria acquired the Herreninsel as the location for his new Royal Palace. Modelled on Versailles, this palace was built as a “Temple of Fame” for King Louis XIV of France, whom the Bavarian monarch fervently admired. And trust me – Ludwig II was absolutely crazy – the “mad king” even had a “magic table” inspired by the Grimm’s Fairy Tale in his dining room!

Fes, Morocco

You’re looking at the Leather Souq, the oldest leather tannery in the world. Don’t miss the marvelous Bab Boujloud (the blue gate) as well!

Blagaj, Bosnia and Herzegovin

Blagaj stands at the edge of the beautiful Buna river.

Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

This town was first founded in the 13th century and little has changed since then. Stepping into the castle grounds is like going back in time, specially if you go during the Renaissance festival which is held every June.

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Saint Petersburg, Russia

You should go inside, I have never seen such a colorful church in my whole life! The city has so much more to offer, like the State Hermitage Museum or the inaugurated Amber Room in the Catherine Palace!

Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

Both pronouncing and getting to Ittoqqortoormiit can be difficult, but it’s totally worth the effort. From the capital of Iceland, you’ll need to get on a once-weekly plane to Greenland and then get a helicopter ride to this small, colorful town which sits by the longest glacial river system in the world.

Mount Ai-Petry, Crimea, Ukraine

Located on the Kastron mountain, the fortress of Cembalo is also nice to visit. It’s a facade of spectacular views overlooking the sea off the Bay of Balaklava.

Marsaxlokk, Malta

Home to Marsaxlokk fish market, a sprawling and endless market held each Sunday in town!

“When I was in London bought a Sim card with 500 mb of data and 100 mins about $25 totally worth it for the ease of getting around and simplifying directions.” -S4H

“Sleeping bag liner. You never know how dirty some hostels/bungalos are. It’s also great if you’re in a super hot climate and just want a clean/thin sheet wrapped around you. Also makes a sleeping bag a few degrees warmer if you want to use it for what it’s designed for. Which I haven’t.” -Kalikoenig

“Microfibre Towel” -Many!

“A cotton scarf. So many uses. Turn it into a hobo bag, a towel, sun protection, dust protection, water filter, tie-down, eye-mask, bandage, arm sling, etc.” -ExpertVagabond

“Gaffer tape. Get the top quality stuff that is made for the entertainment and photography industries, not duck/duct tape. Why? The good stuff doesn’t leave any adhesive or residue behind. I’ve used it to hold a headphone plug in a loose jack in an airline seat, taped a book to a hotel vent to block noise, fixed a loose camera battery door, etc. Roll some around a couple of pens or pencils or other objects in your bag so that you have a meter or two. I roll full width around one pen and varying width narrow strips around another.” -tychosmoose

“Headlamp. Smaller than a flashlight, lights your path more fully, perfect for avoiding nasties on late night trips to the outhouse.” -nefariousmango

“I bought a Nexus 4 for $331 shipped to my house. Knowing that these devices were selling used for very close to MSRP, I figured it was a good investment. I used it oversees for one of my trips, came home, and sold it for $295. So technically this is $36 dollars. But this $36 investment allowed me to have (at the time) a cutting edge brand new unlocked, rooted smartphone. I tethered it at times to give my friend access to the net – which was nice. I think I went through $40 in data in Switzerland, $40 in data in Italy, and $20 in Dublin. After this though, I would highly recommend it. GPS walking directions? Yes. Google Translate? Yes. Pictures to help show people where we want to go (if our phone has no service or doesn’t work). Offline maps? Yes. Train timetables? Yes. Booking hotels/hostels while on the train? Yes” -factory81