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November 13, 2023 By Lyndsay

Is Contiki Worth It?: Weighing the Pros and Cons

• 1 What is Contiki?
• 2 Is Contiki Worth It?
• 3 Understanding the Contiki Experience
• 4.1 ✔️ Hassle-Free Planning
• 4.2 ✔️ Group Travel Experience
• 4.3 ✔️ Cost Effective
• 5.1 ❌ Lack of Flexibility
• 5.2 ❌ Fast-Paced Itinerary
• 5.3 ❌ Age Restrictions
• 6.1 Greek Island Hopping
• 6.2 European Discovery
• 6.3 Simply Italy
• 6.4 Canada and the Rockies
• 6.5 LA to the Bay
• 6.6 Southern Adventure
• 6.7 Viva Costa Rica
• 6.8 Peru Uncovered
• 6.9 Beaches and Reefs
• 6.10 The Big Tiki
• 6.11 Egypt and the Nile
• 6.12 Kenyan Highlights
• 6.13 Asian Adventure
• 6.14 Vietnam Experience
• 6.15 South Korean Soul
• 7 Is Contiki Worth It?: Wrap-Up

This post may contain affiliate links! I will receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase something recommended here.

Picture this: the sun-kissed streets of Barcelona, the serene majesty of the Swiss Alps, the vibrant chaos of Tokyo’s streets – all within arm’s reach, all within a few weeks. 

Taking a Contiki can be a rite of passage for many young adventurers–but is Contiki worth it? 

The social travel company promises the world on a platter, but is it truly the gateway to an unforgettable journey or just a glorified travel package? 

With Contiki, you can explore various destinations around the world, from Europe to Asia, Australia, and beyond, while meeting new people and having unique experiences on their group tours for young adults aged 18-35. 

However, the cost of these tours can add up, and you may wonder if the benefits are worth the investment.

As you teeter on the edge of wanderlust and skepticism, pondering whether to take the plunge into this whirlwind of exploration, let’s unpack the allure, the myths, and the realities to discover if Contiki is the canvas for your next great escapade or merely a glossy brochure of shattered expectations.

This isn’t just about travel; it’s about the experiences, the camaraderie, and the trade-offs. 

As a Contiki Trip Manager, I’m obviously biased, but in the best way. I’ve watched my travelers take a chance on a trip that absolutely changes their lives. 

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What is Contiki?

Contiki is a social travel company specializing in group tours for adults aged 18-35. 

The company was founded in 1962 and has since become one of the most popular travel companies for young people. 

Contiki offers tours worldwide, including Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and North and South America.

Their tours are designed to be fast-paced and action-packed, focusing on socializing and experiencing new cultures. They are led by experienced tour managers who handle all the logistics, leaving you free to enjoy your trip. 

The company offers a range of tour styles, from country-hopping to in-depth exploration, and tours can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

One of the main benefits of traveling with Contiki is the opportunity to meet like-minded travelers from all over the world. 

The tours are designed to be social, with plenty of group activities and opportunities to make new friends. 

Many people who travel with Contiki form lifelong friendships and even meet their future partners on the tours.

However, the fast-paced nature of the tours means you may not have as much free time as you would like, and the group dynamic may not be to everyone’s taste. 

Additionally, some people prefer to travel solo rather than as part of a group tour.

Overall, whether or not Contiki is worth it depends on your individual travel style and preferences. 

If you’re looking for a fun and social way to travel with like-minded people, a Contiki tour could be a great option. Still, you may want to consider alternatives if you prefer to travel independently or at a slower pace.

Is Contiki Worth It?

A Contiki tour may be the perfect fit if you’re a young traveler looking for a social and organized way to explore the world.

For first-time travelers, it’s a reassuring entry into the world of exploration, ensuring logistics, safety, and providing expert guidance throughout the trip.

Solo travelers find a remarkable community; the group dynamic fosters quick, meaningful connections, turning solitude into a social adventure.

Contiki is a paradise of shared moments, spontaneous escapades, and an environment where friendships naturally flourish.

Understanding the Contiki Experience

Contiki is a tour company that caters to a specific age group, namely 18 to 35-year-olds. 

The company’s target audience is young, adventurous, and looking to explore the world with like-minded individuals.

Contiki’s tours are designed to appeal to the younger demographic by offering a mix of adventure, culture, and nightlife. 

The company’s slogan  Travel. Together. , it is a testament to the type of experience they provide.

These are group tours, which means that you’ll be traveling with a group of people around the same age and with similar interests. 

This provides an opportunity to make new friends and create lasting memories.

The tours are also designed to be affordable, offering a wide variety of tours that cater to different budgets so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.

Depending on your trip, you might travel several different ways.

Most Contiki itineraries are carried out on a coach. You might spend upwards of 8 hours driving on the coach to get from one destination to the next.

However, other itineraries include trains, ferries, boats, and airplanes–you can find out what modes of transportation your trip will use when you’re looking at your trip online.

Benefits of Travelling with Contiki

If you’re considering traveling with Contiki, there are several benefits to remember.

Here are a few reasons why traveling with Contiki might be worth it for you:

✔️ Hassle-Free Planning

One of the most significant benefits of traveling with Contiki is the hassle-free planning process.

Contiki trips come with trip managers who take care of all the planning and logistics, so you don’t have to worry about figuring out transportation, accommodations, or activities. 

This can be a massive relief for travelers who don’t want to deal with the stress of planning a trip.

This means you don’t have to spend hours researching and planning your trip. Instead, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your holiday.

✔️ Group Travel Experience

Traveling with Contiki also provides a unique group travel experience.

Contiki tours are known for their social atmosphere, making meeting other travelers easy and making new friends. 

This is especially appealing for solo travelers who want to avoid feeling lonely.

You’ll travel with like-minded individuals looking to explore new places and have fun. 

This can be a great way to make new friends and create lasting memories.

✔️ Cost Effective

Contiki tours can be cost-effective for independent travel, especially if you’re on a tight budget. 

The tours include accommodations, transportation, and activities, saving you time and money in the long run.

And, since Contiki has spent decades in the business understanding what travelers want to experience at any given destination, they offer additional experiences you can add to your itinerary.

Once you decide which optional activities to include, your Trip Manager will organize all the logistics for you.

Potential Drawbacks of Contiki

If you’re considering booking a Contiki tour, it’s important to be aware of some potential drawbacks of traveling with this company. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

❌ Lack of Flexibility

One of the most significant drawbacks of traveling with Contiki is the lack of flexibility in their itineraries. 

Because the tours are designed for groups, you’ll travel with a schedule that doesn’t allow for much deviation.

This can be frustrating if you fall in love with a destination and want to spend more time there; however, it just means you’ll need to plan another trip to explore it more thoroughly! 

❌ Fast-Paced Itinerary

Another potential drawback of Contiki tours is that they are fast-paced. 

You’ll be visiting multiple cities and attractions in a short time, so you’ll be sitting on some long coach drives. 

While this can be exhausting, it’s part of the fun of taking a Contiki. 

❌ Age Restrictions

Contiki tours are designed for travelers between the ages of 18 and 35. 

While this can be a great way to meet other young travelers, it can also be a drawback if you’re older or traveling with a group that includes people outside of this age range. 

Consider a different company if you’re looking for a tour that caters to a wider age range.

However, Contiki recently introduced Reunion Trips! 

If you’re between 35 and 45, you’re eligible to continue your Contiki travels. 

You can check out the available Reunion Trips here.

Top Contiki Itineraries

With tours offered on six of the world’s seven continents, you can explore cities and cultures that span the globe.

Greek Island Hopping

• 4.6 out of 5 stars from 480+ reviews
• Itinerary length: 11 days
• Continent: Europe
• Check rates and availability for Greek Island Hopping

Introducing the Greek Island Hopping adventure, a spectacular 11-day odyssey through the jewels of the Aegean Sea.

This is your ticket to living the quintessential Greek island life, where sun, sea, culture, and vibrant nightlife combine to create unforgettable memories.

Your journey will take you to the most famous Greek islands, including Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, and Ios, along with a visit to the ancient city of Athens.

European Discovery

• 4.7 out of 5 Stars from 690+ reviews
• Itinerary length: 12 days
• Check rates and availability for European Discovery

Embark on your unforgettable European Discovery in just 12 days and experience a whirlwind romance with Europe like never before.

Picture yourself sipping Bavarian beer in a traditional German beer hall, gliding through the romantic Venetian canals on a private boat, and taking in the breathtaking vistas of the Austrian Tyrol mountain range.

With 8 countries on the itinerary, you’ll traverse iconic European cities such as Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Munich, Venice, and Florence while indulging in the charm of numerous other hidden gems along the way with your fellow travelers.

Simply Italy

• 4.5 out of 5 Stars from 325+ reviews
• Itinerary length: 15 days
• Check rates and availability for Simply Italy

The good life just got even better with Simply Italy .

Dive headfirst into the heart and soul of this captivating country, from the ancient treasures of Rome to the artistic allure of Florence, the fashion-forward streets of Milan , and the timeless romance of Venice .

With 14 nights in carefully selected hotels, you’ll have a comfortable haven to return to after your Italian adventures.

This isn’t just a trip; it’s an Italian love affair waiting to happen.

Canada and the Rockies

• 4.7 out of 5 Stars from 140+ reviews
• Continent: North America
• Check rates and availability for Canada and the Rockies

Your 11-day Canada and the Rockies adventure begins in the charming village of Whistler, known for its picturesque landscapes and outdoor adventures.

From there, you’ll weave your way through the stunning Lillooet Mountain Range, exploring the pristine wilderness of Jasper, and experiencing the natural wonders of Banff before landing in the cool vibes of Vancouver.

Absorb yourself in the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies, from dramatic mountain ranges to crystal-clear lakes, lush forests, and awe-inspiring glaciers.

LA to the Bay

• 4.7 out of 5 Stars from 170+ reviews
• Check rates and availability for LA to the Bay

Introducing LA to the Bay , the epic journey that sweeps you through the heart of the American West, from the iconic Golden Gate to the dazzling Hollywood sign.

This is no ordinary trip; it’s a rollercoaster of adventure, culture, and natural wonder.

In just 11 days, you’ll traverse three states and experience the sheer diversity of the West Coast, from the vibrant streets of Los Angeles to the mesmerizing landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park and the grandeur of the Grand Canyon.

Your eyes will be treated to a non-stop visual feast, leaving you in awe throughout the journey.

Southern Adventure

• 4.7 out of 5 Stars from 115+ reviews
• Check rates and availability for Southern Adventure

Explore the heart and soul of the United States’ deep south on the Southern Adventure . 

This 12-day itinerary will immerse you in a distinctly different American culture that will both lure you in and leave you spellbound.

Kicking off in the vibrant city of Los Angeles and concluding in the iconic Fort Worth, your adventure will take you through a diverse landscape of highlights.

From the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to the cultural richness of Santa Fe and the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon, every day brings a new adventure.

Viva Costa Rica

• 4.8 out of 5 Stars from 100+ reviews
• Itinerary length: 9 days
• Continent: South America
• Check rates and availability for Viva Costa Rica

Viva Costa Rica is an exhilarating 9-day expedition through the vibrant landscapes of Central America’s crown jewel.

Get ready for 8 nights of unforgettable adventures, where you’ll plunge into the heart of Costa Rica’s natural wonders, from teeming coral reefs to dramatic volcanoes and rejuvenating hot springs.

This isn’t just a trip; it’s a thrill-seeker’s dream.

You’ll snorkel along the pristine coast, scuba dive into the vibrant underwater world, zip line through dense rainforests, and catch a wave to surf the Pacific.

Imagine the rush of rafting through lush landscapes and experiencing the serene beauty of this paradise.

Peru Uncovered

• 4.5 out of 5 Stars from 80+ reviews
• Itinerary length: 14 days
• Region: South America
• Check rates and availability for Peru Uncovered

Peru Uncovered takes you from the jungles to the mountains, from cultural hubs to ancient wonders.

Get ready for a 14-day adventure that will leave you enchanted by the beauty, culture, and history of Peru.

From the floating islands of Lake Titicaca to the cultural hub of Cusco, the magnificent Colca Canyon, and the iconic Machu Picchu, this trip is your passport to Peru’s ultimate hotspots.

Whether you’re an avid trekker or prefer a more relaxed pace, you have the option to choose how you’ll reach Machu Picchu.

Trek the legendary Inca Trail for an immersive experience, or sit back and enjoy the scenic train journey – either way, you’ll be awestruck by the majesty of this ancient wonder.

Beaches and Reefs

• 4.6 out of 5 Stars from 110+ reviews
• Itinerary length: 16 days
• Region: Oceania
• Check rates and availability for Beaches and Reefs

From Sydney to Airlie Beach, this 16-day Beaches and Reefs trip is your ticket to experiencing the Aussie lifestyle at its best.

You’ll begin in the iconic city of Sydney, where you’ll set the tone for the upcoming exploration of the East Coast.

You’ll sleep in the heart of nature at an Eco Camp in the Noosa Everglades, breakfast with adorable koalas on Magnetic Island, learn to ride the waves in the surf paradise of Byron Bay, and gaze out over the mesmerizing Whitsunday Islands from Airlie Beach.

Each day brings a new adventure and a chance to embrace the laid-back Australian way of life.

This trip isn’t just about the stunning beaches and coral reefs; it’s also an opportunity to connect with the rich indigenous culture and history of Australia.

The Big Tiki

• 4.8 out of 5 Stars from 281+ reviews
• Itinerary length: 21 days
• Check rates and availability for The Big Tiki

The Big Tiki is an extraordinary 21-day adventure that unveils the spectacular beauty and diversity of New Zealand, covering both the North and South Islands.

From the geysers of Rotorua to the majestic glaciers of Christchurch, this trip is an immersive journey through an array of landscapes, cultures, and adventures that will leave you awe-inspired.

Starting in the vibrant city of Auckland and concluding in the picturesque Christchurch, you’ll explore iconic destinations such as Rotorua, Wellington, and Queenstown, along with several other top-class adventure spots along the way.

Egypt and the Nile

• 4.7 out of 5 Stars from 260+ reviews
• Itinerary length: 8 days
• Region: Africa
• Check rates and availability for Egypt and the Nile

Embark on a mystical journey through time with Egypt and the Nile , an 8-day odyssey that takes you deep into the heart of ancient wonders and modern marvels.

This trip is your gateway to the enigmatic world of Egypt, where history, culture, and natural beauty converge to create an unforgettable experience.

From the iconic Great Pyramids to the captivating chaos of Cairo, you’ll immerse yourself in the essence of this ancient land.

Spend three nights gently sailing down the majestic Nile River on a traditional Felucca, absorbing the timeless landscapes that have enchanted travelers for centuries.

Then, unwind on the stunning beaches of Hurghada, letting the waves wash over you.

Kenyan Highlights

• 4.9 out of 5 Stars from 40+ reviews
• Itinerary length: 6 days
• Check rates and availability for Kenyan Highlights

Get ready for a 6-day odyssey that will imprint the beauty and wonder of this country forever.

On the Kenyan Highlights , you’ll be immersed in the sheer magic of Kenya’s Maasai Mara and beyond.

From the world-renowned Maasai Mara, a stage for the Great Migration, to the majestic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya’s natural wonders will leave an indelible mark on your memory and heart.

This trip invites you to embark on thrilling open-top vehicle safaris through National Parks and vast plains by day and to rest in safari-style lodges by night.

The experience allows you to witness big game in their natural habitats, and get up close and personal with iconic African wildlife like giraffes and elephants, creating the ultimate African encounter.

Asian Adventure

• 4.7 out of 5 Stars from 190+ reviews
• Region: Asia
• Check rates and availability for Asian Adventure

The Asian Adventure takes you on an epic quest through the rich and diverse landscapes of Southeast Asia.

From the bustling cityscapes of Bangkok to the remote beauty of Siem Reap, this trip is a captivating immersion into the past and present of this vibrant region.

Covering Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, the Asian Adventure spans 3 countries in just 2 weeks.

Your 16-day journey will include stays in carefully selected hotels, special stays, and even an overnight train experience, offering a range of accommodations to enhance your experience.

Vietnam Experience

• 4.8 out of 5 Stars from 225+ reviews
• Check rates and availability for Vietnam Experience

On this 12-day Vietnam Experience , journey through the heart of Vietnam.

From the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh to the historic charm of Hoi An, the vibrant culture of Hanoi, and the breathtaking beauty of Halong Bay, this trip is your gateway to the best of Vietnam.

Imagine relishing the picturesque rice fields of the Mekong Delta, where you’ll take a traditional boat ride through floating markets and visit local fruit farms.

Explore iconic hot spots and savor popular local foodie haunts to truly dive into the rich and diverse culinary landscape of Vietnam.

South Korean Soul

• Check rates and availability for South Korean Soul

Contiki is always creating new tours in exciting destinations all over the world. 

From exploring the rich military history to basking in majestic mountain views and even encountering a few robots along the way, South Korean Soul , a new trip for 2024, offers an incredibly diverse experience.

With local guides leading your exploration of Seoul, high-speed train adventures, and an authentic experience in Jeonju, get ready for an immersive and authentic journey.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Experience a night-time boat tour, enjoy a thrilling baseball game, indulge in delicious BBQs, and savor the vibrant street food scene.

As a bonus, star in your own K-pop video for a truly unforgettable memory!

Is Contiki Worth It?: Wrap-Up

In the grand tapestry of travel experiences, Contiki, like any other choice, has its strengths and weaknesses.

It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s perfectly fine.

Whether or not Contiki tours are worth it for you ultimately depends on your personal preferences and travel style. 

If you’re looking for a way to see multiple destinations quickly, meet new people, and have everything planned for you, then a Contiki tour might be a great option.

It’s worth it for those who seek an adventure laced with spontaneity, laughter, and connections that transcend borders. 

The late-night conversations in a foreign bar, the surreal beauty of a sunrise shared with newfound friends, and the comfort of knowing that every detail of your trip is taken care of – that, my fellow adventurers, is the essence of Contiki. 

It’s not just about the destinations but the journey and the people you share it with.

However, if you prefer to travel at your own pace, have more flexibility in your itinerary, and want to be free of a group schedule, then a Contiki tour might not be the best fit for you.

So, is Contiki worth it? 

If you’re open to embracing the unpredictable chaos of travel with both arms, then yes, it’s worth it. 

It’s worth it for the moments that become lifelong memories, the stories that fill your heart, and the friendships that stand the test of time. 

It’s worth it for the thrill of exploring the world without a care in the world. 

Ultimately, whether it’s worth it for you depends on your appetite for adventure and the kind of traveler you aspire to be.

In the end, the true worth of Contiki is defined by you, the traveler. 

So, pack your bags, chase your dreams, and let Contiki be your passport to an extraordinary journey filled with unforgettable moments and a world of possibilities.

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The Only Contiki Review You Ever Need To Read

Last updated: August 2020

After my first trip to Europe with Contiki , I’ve gotten a lot of questions about the tour company, and today I’m finally sitting down to answer all of them. This in-depth post will cover everything from accommodations, dining, excursions, tipping, transportation, and more.

Contiki is a tour company that caters to travellers aged 18-35. They run a variety of different types of tours, from camping to hotel accommodation trips, all varying in length from 4 days to month-long excursions. The company operates all over the world however, this review will be focused on their European tours.

I have been on three Contiki tours (as of 2020):

• European Discovery – 12 Day Europe Tour
• Berlin, Prague + Vienna – 9 Day Tour (This trip no longer exists, but has been changed into the Berlin to Budapest)
• Eastern Trail  

Each Contiki tour I did was unique in its own way, giving me the opportunity to try an appetizer of some of Contiki’s best tours in order to provide a thorough review for my readers.

After three tours with the company, here is my no bullshit review of Contiki:

Accommodations.

Contiki offers a variety of accommodation options: hotels, hostels, camping, and some tours which include a mix of accommodation styles. The two tours that I have been on were both hotel accommodation. Contiki books three-star hotels, so don’t expect the Ritz, however, I found the accommodations perfect for casual travel and some of the hotels well exceeded my expectations as a budget traveler.

The biggest issue I had with Contiki’s accommodations was how far they were from the city. In big cities such as Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam we were in hotels located 40-60 minutes outside the city. Typically, as the quality of the hotel increases, the distance to the city also increases.

Personally, I’m only in a hotel room only to sleep so I can deal with subpar quality, but if you’re someone who requires five-star service to get to sleep, I’d recommend at least researching the hotels specified on the tour before finalizing your booking, just ensure you’re not disappointed when you arrive.

However, if you’re keen to “rough it” you can save a lot of money by booking one of Contiki’s camping or hostel tours instead of their hotel option.

In our digital age, I feel that it’s important to make a quick note about the internet situation on these tours. The coach does have WiFi available for purchase –  do not do it , it’s ridiculously expensive, even your tour manager will tell you not to waste your money.

As for the WiFi in the hotels, it was hit and miss. Europeans are very, very different from us in North America and do not feel the need to be constantly connected, thus WiFi is sparse. Some hotels have free WiFi available for a certain period of time, some only an hour, some for an entire day. Others only have free WiFi available in the lobby, and others have no WiFi at all. However, when you’re out and about, some of the coffee shops and restaurants will have free WiFi available, just be sure to purchase something from them as a curiosity.

Tour Managers

Your tour manager is essentially the “babysitter” Contiki assigns to your tour; they are not official tour guides. Although most of the Contiki tour managers have an extensive amount of knowledge about the cities you’ll be visiting, they’re not experts like the local tour guides are.

Your tour manager is basically there to make sure everyone gets to the bus on time, organize the group dinners, and help you pick and plan your excursions. I found that between my two tours, the tour manager can make or break your experience.

Some of the tour managers are very knowledgeable and go above and beyond to ensure you have a great time on your trip. On my first Contiki, our tour manager custom printed his own city maps with his top tips, and always gave us thorough information and directions before dropping us in the idle of a city. I swear this guy was a walking history textbook – I was floored by how much he knew! He was clear about ground rules on the coach and in different countries, making sure we respected the local customs but was also not afraid to have a good time with us at the bars and pubs.

On my second Contiki tour, it wasn’t that my tour manager was bad per say, but she definitely tailored many of our excursions and activities to her own interests, which did not align with most of the groups and left a lot of us feeling bored and frustrated.

One thing to be wary of is that the tour managers will take you to bars and restaurants they’ll say are the “best in the city”, however, you’re most likely only being taken there because your tour manager will collect a commission or get kickbacks for bringing business to the establishment.

This is a common practice in the tourism industry, so it’s totally understandable; I only mention it to caution you to not be naïve and do your research before you get to your destination. You are by no means obligated to stick with the group the entire time! If your tour manager is saying a certain restaurant is “the best in the city”, but you’ve been dying to check out another one, don’t be afraid to go off on your own. Don’t just blindly go along with everything the tour manager says; it’s certainly alright to break away from the group every once in a while.

Breakfast is included every day on your Contiki, but as one of my tour managers stated; “breakfast in Europe is a coffee and a cigarette”. I didn’t expect much of the breakfast anyway, and it usually was just pastries and cereal, however, sometimes you’d get lucky and a hotel would offer bacon and eggs as well. If you’re someone who needs a little more fuel first thing in the morning, pack some extra snacks in your suitcase or account some more room in your budget to purchase additional breakfast items.

You’re on your own for lunch most days, which gives you the opportunity to wander about, unless you’re on a high-paced tour, then you’ll be eating lunch at wherever the bus stops between your next destination.

Contiki includes a few dinners and a lot of the other dinners are usually included in some type of paid excursion. I was very pleased overall with the quality of the food on both tours I did. The restaurants were authentic to the different cities we visited and provided a wide variety of options for different preferences.

Depending on the length of the tour, the destinations, and the travel style, Contiki tours range from $400-$7000. So regardless of what your budget is, there is a tour out there for you!

I think the price is right for these tours and you’re getting the most bang for your buck, so there’s no need to be concerned about getting ripped off. I was very impressed with the high value that each of my Contiki tours delivered.

However, my only issue is that Contiki claims that going on a tour with them is more affordable than going on your own, and that’s a blatant lie. If cost is your only concern, you don’t necessarily need to choose Contiki. You can do everything that a Contiki tour does, on your own, for the same amount of money. It’s not cheaper one way or the other.  The only difference with going on your own is that you’ll be paying the same amount of money, but doing all the legwork of booking hotels, excursions, dinners, etc. So if you’d like to just lay back and leave the planning to someone else, a Contiki tour would be a better value to you.

Contiki offers a wide variety of excursions that you can add on to your trip for an extra cost, and of course, you’re encouraged to do them all to ensure you get the most out of your trip! A lot of these excursions I do believe are once in a lifetime opportunities and worth the price like the cabaret show in Paris, the concentration camp visit in Berlin, and white water rafting in Austria.

You’re made aware of your excursions and their cost before your trip, so I would recommend researching them and seeing if it would be more cost-efficient for you to do it on your own. Keep in mind some of the excursions can be more fun with a group of people so you may want to splurge. (ie. the live sex show in Amsterdam – no one wants to be the weirdo attending that alone!)

Depending on the tour you do, the coach will either be your home for a few weeks or just a vehicle you see once or twice. In the high paced tours you’re on the coach for 6-10 hours almost every day as you move from country to country. It is a very comfortable and clean means of transportation, and depending on your tour group, it’ll either be a very fun 6-10 hours, or the worst 6-10 hours of your life. It’s hit or miss and really depends on your group, so I recommend bringing a book and some headphones just in case. Most people spend their time on the coach sleeping off their hangovers from the night before, and as long as no one pukes, you’ll be fine.

You might have heard Contiki referred to as the “drunken orgy on wheels” and this nickname is not far off. Pretty much every night you have the option of going to a club with the group and getting hammered with your new travel companions. While you will undoubtedly have a great time, I found after my first trip that I spent over 200 euro in alcohol, which I had not originally budgeted for – it’s very easy to get carried away. For those who are just looking to party their way through Europe, or just have a great time and meet new people, you will have an absolute blast on a Contiki tour.

Speaking of your tour mates…they will be the highlight of your trip. The people you meet on Contiki are friends for life. I still talk to the people I met on my very first Contiki four years ago and actually have plans to travel with a few of them soon. Hold onto these friendships. The friends you meet traveling are the best kind of friends to have. And you’ll always have a couch to crash on somewhere in the world!

When you book your Contiki tour, tips are said to be included in the price of your trip. However, the only tips that are included in this price are the tour group dinners. All the local guides will expect tips at end of their walking tours, but of course, it’s at your discretion whether or not to tip them.

Your tour manager and the bus driver will also be expecting a tip at the end of the tour. Within the last few days of your tour ending you’re given an envelope and told to write a note to your tour manager and driver with a tip enclosed and your name. I mention this because it caught me off guard on my first trip and I found myself scrambling for cash on the last day of my tour. On my second tour I was a little bit more prepared and set aside my tip for the driver and tour manager at the beginning of my trip; which is what I would recommend everyone does, just so you don’t accidentally overspend!

So should you go on a Contiki? Yes and no.

I think Contiki is an excellent tour company for someone who is nervous to travel solo for the first time, or maybe someone who is looking to just have a good time and make some friends.

Contiki is also a good idea for groups of friends as it takes a lot of the arguing out of decision making since most of the decisions are made for you.

The number one reason I would choose Contiki is if you don’t know what you want to see. Maybe you’re new to travel and know you want to go to Europe, but don’t necessarily have specific destinations or monuments in mind. Basically, if you know you want to go to Paris, but can’t think of anything to see other than the Eiffel Tower, go on a Contiki. They’ll not only help you figure the logistics of your trip out, but they’ll educate you and open your eyes to things you could have never imagined.

On the flip side, if you’re someone who is comfortable with traveling and have a good idea of what you want to see and do, I would ditch Contiki and do your own thing. You can still find local guides when you get to your destination and plan your own excursions. I personally, do not plan on doing another Contiki anytime soon, because I’d like to challenge myself to go own my own, as well as plan a trip that is more directly focused on exactly what I want to see and do.

Think you’re ready to book your Contiki tour?

Check out my post on how to pick the perfect tour for your travel style, check out more of my contiki posts :.

• 7 things to know before booking your first Contiki tour
• Contiki Cares: How Contiki is supporting sustainable travel
• An In-Depth Review of Contiki’s Eastern Trail Tour
• How to pick the perfect Contiki for your travel style

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Karen Wanderlustingk

I never did Contiki as I chose to travel by myself around Europe, but I liked your points about helping you get comfortable with traveling for people less comfortable with going alone. Personally, I rather travel alone than with a tour as I really enjoy planning. 100%.

One tip about traveling alone to make it less lonely: reach out to active and positively reviewed moderator members of the couchsurfing group for the city you’re visiting. Look for people who have logged in within the past 2 days. I know it sounds sketchy, but the idea is that you pick someone with lots of glowing reviews and who you think you’ll get along with. They can provide fantastic local tips and a lot of them are thrilled to meet up for a walk around the city/drink/coffee/maybe dinner on short notice (2 days to 5 hours before). I prefer having my own place to stay due to safety concerns and finding a host on CS is much harder than seeing if someone has a few spare hours at night. Hosting is quite time-consuming and not everyone likes to commit to doing it all the time, however almost everyone I’ve messaged has been very enthusiastic about showing me around their city or just sending me the names of their favorite places/restaurants.

I always pick a public place to meet, so that I can leave without any issues if I don’t feel safe or don’t like them. However, I’ve had fantastic local experiences, some incredible homemade food, and made several friends this way. I had one of the best nights in Italy when I went for a historic walk with a couchsurfing veteran around his homecity of Verona, before we got pizza at one of the best pizza places in Italy (30 min drive!), and went out for drinks at his favorite bar before I headed back to my accommodation and he went home. I actually try to do this when I’m feeling social, but I’m staying at a hostel or airbnb where I’m not clicking with people there.

Staying at hostels is also great way to never be lonely when traveling alone. I’ve made a few friends at hostels I stayed at while backpacking who I still stay in touch with. 🙂

Global Brunch

I don’t think I would go with a tour operator like this. I’m not completely against tours in general, but I think especially Europe is somewhere you can easily and safely navigate your way around on your own. Partying every night is also something I wouldn’t be a fan of. While I love having a drink in good company, I’m looking for more substance on my travels now and as you said drinking can take away valuable travel budget 🙂

Megan @ Hello Megan O!

I think you’ve really hit the nail on the head in this post. Tours like Contiki are great if you plan on partying and want most of the planning done for you. Personally, my travel style is much slower and I LOVE planning, so I haven’t been on one, but I know lots of people have and have really enjoyed themselves!

Ileana Dallaire

I took a Contiki tour 24 years ago… yes, it was then as it is described today, but for a woman travelling alone, on a budget, it was perfect for me..but that was my first and last “guided bus tour” by the way. The best perk of the tour: I met my husband in the group! He was from Canada, I am from Costa Rica…he asked me to spend the free day in Rome with him instead of hanging around with the group…dated long distance for 4 years and today we are celebrating our 20th anniversary. So, you can say we have a warm spot for Contiki Tours! I wonder how many more marriages started on that bus! Phil and Ileana Dallaire Windsor, ON Canada

Airplanes & Avocados

AWH! What an incredible love story you two have, that’s amazing! Congratulations to you guys! Sending lots of love and happiness your way! ❤️

I just helped my 18 year old daughter book the European Horizon trip with Contiki in July to travel “solo”, but with a group. Hope she will have a great experience to start travelling on her own. I went on a Trafalgar Cost Saver trip to Ireland last year and learned about Contiki, where my tour manager had started working at the beginning of her career. I am usually wary of group tours, as I like to do my own travel planning, but enjoyed the Ireland group tour with good combination of group and solo time. Your review is also helpful.

This is awesome! She is going to have an incredible time for sure! Feel free to reach out if you or she have any questions, I’m more than happy to help! 🙂

I’m turning 34 this year. I usually travel alone and prefer it but once in awhile I have done group trips all which I had mixed experiences on. I have to admit that I want to do 1 Contiki tour before I can no longer go due to age lol. I looked into their Greek sailing trip but I saw the living quarters so my interest ended up becoming a big Hellllllllllll no. When I looked at their non sailing trips I realized the price was way too high for what it is (really just a way to transport you from city to city with a bunch of drunk young people who you will see in each city). I may do one just to honestly say that I did it, but I’m just surprised how much it is when you get very little. If someone just wants to party and is looking for a cheap way to do it, it’s probably best to just stay at a hostel for a few days.

I totally agree it’s definitely not the cheapest option so if that’s why you’re doing it you can travel other ways for way cheaper. And it does really have an emphasis on partying, but I agree you should do one to say you did at least! Even one of their shorter 3 or 4 day tours.

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Contiki is great for a particular audience, the 18 to 35 year old traveler. but are they any good.

Contiki #NoRegrets

This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.

Contiki is great for a particular travel audience. Generally, it’s aimed at younger budget-minded travelers 18 to 35 year olds. Contiki has hundreds of tours operating all around the globe and their whole thing is ‘social travel’. This is for those that want to soak in the cultural side of the destination and dive deep into the local nightlife as well. It makes sense any 18 – 35 year old looking to travel on a budget and party at the same time. Let us take a deeper dive this Contiki Review and see if it’s the right fit for you.

What is Contiki?

Founded in 1962 Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company catering to the 18 to 35 year old market. The idea came from the founder looking to travel on a tight budget yet still have fun and see Europe. Currently, they operate over 300 tours around the world so it’s easy for anyone to find a cool trip anywhere on the globe. I need to mention they won’t allow travelers over the age of 35 to join their tours.

Let me say right now that the average age for a Contiki traveler is 18 to 27.

Accommodations: BUDGET! You’ll be staying in either in a hotel or a hostel so understand these aren’t 4 or 5-star hotels or hostels. However, Contiki does its best to find the best 3-star type hotel or hostel. Depending on the continent that 3-star Euro accommodation will be a 5-star somewhere else. The negative is if you’re sharing a room, you’re hoping your roommate won’t snore and will be courteous with the shared space.

That being said, I never felt unsafe in the locations I stayed in. For the most part, you’ll be out all day and partying most of the night, that bed is there for you to crash.

Hot Tip: If you want you can book your own room, that’s supplemental when you book the tour through Contiki directly.

Group Size: As with any Contiki tour you can expect a minimum of 20 or more travelers with you on the bus. I remember when I did a short 8 day trip I was with 25 or so other travelers. Many travelers will book multiple tours with Contiki so it’s common that during a trip a few will drop off while others will join the group.

Contiki Guides: They round up the whole group in the lobby of the hotel / hostel and they take you on the tour. Yes, they’re like the chaperones we had during a school trip. With one difference, they’re all young and they too want to party. They will take you around the city and do a pub crawl, hit up a club or some really cool local spot.

Food: Breakfast is provided on all the tours however from what I remember lunch and dinner was all on you. To save money you can catch some street food that is delicious and cheap.

Cost: Totally depends on where you plan to go and for how many days. A tour can range from $800 to $3500. Traveling to Europe will obviously cost more than Asia. Also, you’ll need some spending money for whatever comes up, I remember all I brought was $500 for the week.

Drinking and Partying: As you probably already know Contiki definitely has a partying atmosphere however I strongly suggest those 18 to 20 years old travelers to perhaps hold off on going to the US. The legal drinking age in the US is 21 and it’s strictly enforced. I’ve had many of my Australian travel mates say that when they visited the US the younger travelers couldn’t visit any bars or clubs.

Contiki Review:

My very first solo tour was with Contiki, I landed in Germany and ended in Prague. I can’t tell you how much fun I had. I have to be 100% honest, I was partying like an animal with everyone else so much of my day was spent being hungover. I pretty much drank Red Bulls to pull it together and finished the tour like a champ. The tour started in Berlin where I met with the tour guide and he was extremely helpful in getting me situated to my room, the rules of the tour, and explaining what optional add-ons were available.

The guide we had was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area and took his time in explaining everything. He was very outgoing so that made the tour better.

Having a good guide is everything!

The breakfast buffet I do remember was absolutely incredible! After a full night of drinking the first thing I wanted to do is chow down on food to soak up the alcohol….we all were doing it.

The negative part was the bus transportation from Berlin to Prague, it was a 5 hour drive so we lose most of the morning.

Prague was the city I fell in love with. I was really awestruck by how beautiful that city is and how much more fun I had in Prague rather than Berlin. The food and beer in Prague I felt was better and there was more to do and see. When the tour ended, I really wanted to stay but alas I had to return to my life in California. That trip forever changed how I viewed traveling alone.

Final Thoughts On Contiki:

Should you go on a Contiki tour? 100% absolutely YES, if you…

• Like to party
• Want the whole trip planned for you
• Want to meet new people
• Are on a budget
• Really like to party!

Optional Add-Ons: These are excursions that Contiki sets up that do cost extra. Depending on the country you’re in they can be just about anything but always check what the add-ons are and see which you want to do. Remember these are totally optional.

Bus / Coach: This is the only real negative about Contiki, when traveling from one city to the next you’ll be on the bus or coach for a while….in some cases a few hours. That can be a real drag because you lose precious time just sitting on a bus.

Beware of Australians! Seems that all Australians go on a Contiki tour at one point in their lives. Just kidding after doing so many of these tours some of the most fun people I’ve met are from Australia and frankly, they do make the coolest travel buddies.

Most Popular Contiki Tours:

Here are just some of the more popular tours that Contiki runs catering to so many tastes. The best part is they’re constantly running specials with deals left and right. Here’s a glimpse of their more popular tours:

Let’s also take a look at a few more of their more popular trips!

Contiki Trip Ideas!

Contiki is constantly offering specials on their tours so don’t forget to check out their last-minute deals .

South America is a great destination for any budget traveler, check out some of the deals with these destinations Contiki is offering. – BOOK NOW!

Perhaps you’re looking for something more of an exotic destination, Contiki has you covered with a Bali Island Hopper Tour. – BOOK NOW!

Cambodia is another destination that is VERY budget-friendly and fun. Explore the magic Cambodia has to offer and BOOK NOW!

Here are some more of Contiki’s Top European trips, take a look and book your bucket list trip today!

Contiki Review

Contiki offers fun filled tours for the 18 to 35 year old traveler. The tours are fully organized so you don't have to plan anything. Here's a breakdown as to whom would benefit the most from traveling with Contiki.

• Meeting new people
• You see a lot in a short time
• Great value for the money
• 360+ tours to choose from
• Not fun for non-partygoers
• A lot of time spent on Bus / Coach
• A little fast paced

Strapped Traveler

Like you, I love to travel and have learned over the years I can travel to nearly anywhere in the world on a budget. My blog aims to guide you into traveling abroad on a budget and still have a great time. Visit us regularly for the latest in travel gear and trip ideas that won't break the bank.

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Travel Europe on a Budget

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Contiki tours review: the good and bad of traveling europe with contiki.

Is a Contiki Tour right for you?

Product Reviews

We receive a lot of questions from people asking me about our thoughts on joining tour groups in Europe — most notably Contiki Tours. For those of you who aren’t aware, Contiki is a well-known and very popular bus tour company that caters to students/youth travelers. Not surprisingly, based on their younger clientele, they have earned a reputation as being a booze-filled party tour.

We want to say upfront that we prefer traveling independently — after all The Savvy Backpacker is focused on independent travel. That said, we don’t have any problem with these kinds of tours. So, with that in mind, our goal for this article isn’t to talk you into or out of a Contiki Tour. Our goal is to give you the facts, both good and bad, so you can make an informed decision on whether a tour like this is right for you.

Quick Overview of Contiki Tours

Contiki is the most popular bus tour company for young travelers (18-35). They operate in Europe, Russia, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Asia — but most of the info in this guide will be focused on their European tours.

They host more than 150,000 travelers each year and they’ve been doing tours since the early 60s.

Multiple Tour Options

One nice thing about Contiki is that they offer a wide variety of tour options — ranging from week-long trips to multiple-month excursions. They also have tour options that visit just about every part of Europe so that’s really nice.

Their most popular tours are their “budget” tours (which basically means the accommodation consist of budget hotels and campsites).  You can view all their European tours here .

The tour prices range from around $1000 for about a week to well over $6000 for multi-week trips. Their most popular tours will be around $2000. Visit this page to see all their prices .

Travel Styles

In the past, we’ve ragged on Contiki because they were traditionally seen as a party on wheels. Don’t get us wrong, we can totally see why people would be into that and we don’t have a problem with it… but not everyone is into that kind of travel.

But these days, while some of the tours still have that party atmosphere, Contiki now offers a lot more options to fit other travel styles — which we think was a great move.

Here are their main travel styles:

• High Energy
• Discovery Plus
• In-Depth Explorer
• Freestyle Camping
• Sailing and Cruising
• Winter and Ski

Click here to see all their travel styles

Accommodation

All the accommodation is provided by Contiki and is included in the price —so you never have to worry about finding a place to sleep (conversely, you have no say in where you stay). Each tour usually features multiple types of accommodation but there are basically three types of accommodation:

• Budget Hotels: They claim to only book “2-3 star” hotels but many have reported that some of the hotels were very “budget”.
• Hostels: Similar to budget hotels. You’ll be sharing a room — which is normal.
• Contiki Owned Campsites: Think summer camp with shared cabins —not tents. The company’s employees staff the site.

On average, the quality of the accommodation tends to be on par with that of a budget hostel. The type of accommodation differs in each city and some are nicer than others. Some places are not that great, but some are fairly nice (for budget standards).

Much like a hostel, expect to share a room with 2-4 other people. However, you can usually pay extra to have your own room.

Be aware that your accommodation might not be located in the city. Depending on the tour, a few of your hostels/campsites could be far outside the city (sometimes 30-60 minutes by train/taxi). These locations are often not on any public transportation routes, so you’ll have to fork over 40-50 euros for a taxi ride if you want to spend time in the city.

Contiki’s website does a pretty good job of telling you what to expect on each tour/destination so be sure to do some research.

Breakfast is provided every day and it usually consists of standard food you’d find for free at almost any hostel (milk, cereal, toast w/ jam, coffee, and tea). You will sometimes get lucky and have eggs or sausage.

Lunch is always up to you. A lot of times you eat at rest stops because you’re usually on the bus during lunchtime.

Dinner is provided about half the time. Most of the time the staff at the campsite cooks it and sometimes you have to help with some of the cooking and cleaning.

In some cities, there are optional “special meals” that are served at restaurants but they’re fairly expensive. Some have reported that the meal is delicious and some told me that it was mediocre at best — it depends on where you go. For a budget traveler, this extra fee is a lot of money and I know you can get a cheaper meal in any European city.

Travel Pace

The breakneck travel pace seems to be a complaint that a lot of people have. Contiki Tours aims to hit as many places as possible so you often end up barely scratching the surface of each destination. You’ll only spend a day or two in large cities (Paris, Rome, etc) and half days in smaller towns.

On the other hand, you do end up getting to see a lot (albeit briefly).

In many instances, you are dropped off in the center of town, given a map, and told to meet back at a specific location/time. If your accommodation is outside the city, the bus will take you back to the campsite/hotel at night, otherwise, you meet at the bus in the morning (6-8 am).

You will spend a lot of time on the bus  — about 40% of the trip. Most people say that every second day is spent on the bus and most rides are 6-10 hours long. A lot of people spend their time on the bus sleeping off their hangovers or socializing. The bus stops every few hours at roadside convenience stores and gas stations.

Without a doubt, you’ll see a lot in a short amount of time, but things often tend to blend together when traveling at such a fast pace. Some people told me that they liked the fast pace because it gave them a good overview of where they want to visit again when they come back for their next European trip.

Note: Contiki does have some tours that travel at a bit slower of pace but their bread and butter tours are typically fast-paced.

Party Atmosphere

Contiki Tours have earned a reputation for being a party on wheels. I have heard from multiple sources that many of the tours quickly turn into drunken parties with lots of sex. This really isn’t too surprising — young people + hormones + plenty of alcohol + close quarters with the same people for long periods of time + interesting accents = hazy memories. It is basically a college party on steroids.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing because a lot of people have tons of fun on Contiki Tours.

Because of the constant parties and accelerated travel pace, many people have told me that they have fuzzy memories of Europe. Some people have an absolute blast and just love this style of travel. Hell, we really enjoy letting loose and maybe having a few too many drinks, but doing that multiple times a week will really wear you down.

Of course, you don’t have to drink/get drunk but there is a good chance the people around you will.

The Contiki Traveler

All travelers have to be between 18-35, but the average age is about 20-25. Contiki Tours is an Australian company so there are a lot of Australians, but there are also plenty of Americans, Canadians, Kiwis, Brits, and Irish (you’ll probably get a few other nationalities in there too). It seems that there are generally more females than males and about half of the people are traveling alone.

A large majority of former Contiki travelers often talk fondly of all the cool people they met and how much fun they had with them. A lot of people form really close friendships with their fellow travelers. For good and bad, many people’s best memories come from the people they meet—not from the sights. But, to be fair, some of our best memories of traveling came from the people we’ve met in hostels, so we can’t see how this is any different.

Group Travel Frustrations

When there are 50 people in a group it is inevitable that someone will be constantly late—this is especially true in the morning when there are a bunch of hung-over travelers. Just be prepared to wait a lot.

You also run the risk of having a lame group. I have heard a few stories about travelers expecting a party only to find out that most people didn’t want to do anything. Or people could just not get along well and then you’re stuck with them for the duration of the trip.

Although, most people have very little conflict or frustrations stemming from group travel.

Tourist Traps

The tour guides are rumored to get kickbacks for bringing their guests to certain bars/shops/restaurants, so it is hard to always believe that the guide is showing you the best places to go.

For example, on some tours you are taken to an Italian leather shop as one of your destinations, but it is basically a glorified tourist gift shop (there are also silver, glass, diamond, and other shop “tours”). The people in the shop demonstrate their craft but then hit you with a big sales pitch. We’ve also heard stories about how the tour guides give travelers “city maps” but the maps really only highlight these “gift shops.”

We’ve also been warned that many of the “extra” excursions are extremely overpriced. It is usually best to book those on your own at a fraction of the cost. Unfortunately, there is a lot of pressure to purchase these extra tours because you can either go or be stuck at the campsite (which doesn’t have access to the city).

Tipping is highly encouraged by the staff. Each person gets their own envelope w/ their name on it and you’re supposed to put your tip in it. We don’t have a problem with tipping but some past guests thought this method seemed a bit forceful.

Reasons People Choose Contiki

Again, we’re not against these kinds of tours and we totally understand the benefits they provide. Below are some of the reasons people love Contiki Tours.

No Need To Plan

Some travelers simply don’t want to plan their trip and they would rather just let someone else take care of all that work. We think this is understandable, and we admit that travel planning can take a lot of time.

Planning can also be frustrating and honestly it can get overwhelming. We kind of like the planning part of the experience (obviously, we created this website) but we don’t fault anyone for just wanting to have a good time without having the headache of planning.

Many travelers think traveling around Europe is difficult, but using trains, planes, and other public transportation (especially in Europe) is usually pretty simple once you understand how the system works. But we totally see how it would seem intimidating — especially for someone who has no experience with public transportation. Nonetheless, a tour can be a good choice if you still don’t feel comfortable traveling independently.

I also think a lot of travelers get caught up in the fact they don’t speak the local language. Hell, we still get intimidated when we travel to a foreign country. Being in a tour group takes away a lot of this apprehension (although most Europeans speak English well, so we wouldn’t worry too much about it).

Solo Travelers

Many solo travelers choose tours because they feel that traveling alone is unsafe or lonely — we hear this a lot from female travelers. These concerns are completely understandable and we’ve had the same feelings ourselves.

That said, we’ve met plenty of solo female travelers but not everyone is up for this kind of experience. So, given a choice between not traveling and going on a tour, we’d always choose the tour.

So, if traveling alone is preventing you from traveling to Europe, then I think Contiki is an excellent option.

Instant Friends

Being surrounded by 50 other people means that you’ll never go lonely.

In fact, this built-in social network is one of the reasons we love hostels. And a Contiki tour is like a hostel on steroids. Plus, you don’t have to constantly reintroduce yourself to new people over and over again as you do in hostels.

And if you read past reviews, almost every person mentioned the friendships they made on their tour.

Past travelers seem to love their tour guides.

Always Something To Do

There will always be something going on every night. You have the option to do your own thing but there is always an option to party with the group.

Some people love Contiki Tours and you can find plenty of people who rave about them online. In fact, many of these people take multiple tours with them. On the other hand, you will also find many reviews from people that didn’t enjoy their trip as much as they would have liked.

From what I’ve found, most former travelers said that their tour was fun and they were not disappointed they took the tour… but one tour is probably enough. I don’t think this is necessarily a negative thing since these tours help “ease” people into their European experience and it shows how easy European travel can be.

Check out their  European tours options  to see what all they offer.

If you’re interested in hearing a tour guide’s firsthand account of leading one of these tours I suggest reading Rule No. 5: No Sex on the Bus: Confessions of a Tour Leader by Brian Thacker. It isn’t written about Contiki specifically but we imagine many of the themes apply to all youth-oriented tour groups. It is pretty funny and interesting to read about all the crazy stuff a bunch of drunken youths can get up to.

Not sure if a Contiki tour is for you? We suggest you visit the Contiki Website to get a better idea of their specific tours.

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Contiki Review – Travel Tours, Group Vacations & Adventure Holidays

Amar Hussain

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Young Travelers

Solo travelers, friends or groups, destinations, contiki australia, contiki europe, contiki japan, contiki new zealand, contiki thailand, contiki usa & canada, contiki reviews, contiki vs. topdeck, final thoughts.

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Contiki provides travel tours for young adults. The tour company was incorporated in the mid-1960s after a group of friends posted a flyer on a noticeboard advertising space on their 12-seater minibus to travel around Europe. To this day, group travel is still immensely popular, as you not only get to explore a fantastic destination, but you get to make lots of friends in the process.

Contiki is one of the best European bus tour companies out there, but it also offers group tours all over the world. Many tours use coaches, and groups can be as large as 52 people. In some destinations such as Africa and Latin America, group sizes can be as small as 12 people up to a maximum of 30.

Each tour has a driver and a trip leader that will be with you for the entire journey, and local expert guides will also join you for specific activities. With your travel, accommodations, and itinerary arranged for you, all you need to worry about is having an incredible time.

Who Are Contiki Tours Good For?

Contiki tours are exclusively for travelers from 18 to 35 years old so that you can experience a new destination with like-minded young vacationers. The tours are incredibly social and many travelers meet lifelong friends. Including a combination of scheduled activities and free time, the tours let you tick-off bucket list experiences and landmarks before enjoying a beer with your new pals.

Whether you’re an experienced traveler or are embarking on your first solo trip, Contiki tours are perfect for single travelers. You’ll experience the excitement of independent travel while having the logistics taken care of. Rather than having to approach a new friend in a hostel bar, you’ll get to know your fellow travelers in a less daunting environment.

Tour prices are based on twin sharing with a fellow traveler of the same gender, but you can also upgrade to a private room for a fee.

It’s not just solo travelers that choose Contiki tours. Groups of friends often join tours together as they love the idea of meeting more new people as well as getting to travel with their friends. You can all book your places and pay final balances independently, avoiding 1 person having to be responsible for everyone’s finances.

Contiki Tour Types and Destinations

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to travel. To help travelers choose which tours might suit their travel style, Contiki has tagged its tours under various categories.

Contiki’s Adventure tours include the usual transport and accommodation, but they also include unique travel experiences for adventurous types. You could be quad biking through the Cambodian countryside or soaring high above the Sonoran Desert in Arizona in a hot air balloon.

Hot Tip:  Be sure to check out our adventure travel essentials before your next trip.

African Safari

Africa’s incredible landscapes are teeming with wildlife, large and small, from majestic elephants bathing in watering holes to color-changing desert chameleons. African Safari tours include plenty of wildlife encounters and other bucket-list experiences such as Victoria Falls, the Sossusvlei salt pans, and Table Mountain.

Beach Trips

Contiki has picked some of the best beaches in the world to create tours with the perfect blend of sun, sea, adventure, and nightlife. Beach Trips tend to follow the coastline of a destination, so you can enjoy surf lessons to beach yoga and sunset cocktails to fresh seafood dining.

Hot Tip:  We take the pain out of packing for your beach vacation with this printable packing list .

Discoverer trips offer an excellent balance of culture, iconic sights, and adventure. You’ll tick off lots of bucket list experiences as well as authentic local encounters, which are often the most memorable moments. These tours are generally longer than 9 days, so you’ll get to immerse yourself in a destination.

Iconic Essentials

Iconic Essentials tours cover comprehensive itineraries around Europe and include some excursions and lots of free time. This means that you can tailor-make your trip to only see the sights that are important to you. If you’re used to traveling solo or are skeptical about touring, this tour type could be a good compromise — travel and accommodation are arranged but many of the excursions are optional.

Hot Tip:  Check out the best compact, mirrorless, and DSLR cameras for travel so that you can capture iconic sights on your tour. 

In-Depth Explorer

In-Depth Explorer tours enable travelers to experience a destination like a local, with lots of authentic experiences to immerse yourself in the local culture. Accommodations include well-situated, independent hotels, so you’ll enjoy the comfort and convenience while knowing you’re supporting local communities.

Island Hopping

Why stay on 1 island when you can experience them all? Island Hopping tours allow travelers the opportunity to experience the unique culture and quirks of island life while enjoying the journey in between. Relax on palm-fringed sandy beaches, sip a cocktail while watching an island sunset, or go in search of marine life with a snorkel or diving excursion.

Hot Tip:  Make sure you’re prepared for your beach tour with these recommendations for the best travel beach towels and blankets .

Sailing and Cruise

Sail between beautiful islands and buzzing port towns with a Sailing or Cruise tour. On some tours, your ship is your transport and your accommodation, so you’ll only need to unpack once for your whole trip. When it comes to sightseeing, you’ll get the best of both worlds, with regular stops for land-based exploration and plenty of incredible views of the coastline.

Short Trips and Festivals

Short Trips and Festival tours are great for those who want to explore a city for a couple of days or combine their holidays with a festival or celebration. These include music festivals, New Year’s Eve celebrations, or local public holidays, so you can celebrate in style while soaking up the local culture.

Hot Tip:  If you’re heading away on a short break, you might want to upgrade to one of these recommended carry-on bags , including wheeled cabin bags and backpacks.

Ski and Snowboard

Ski and Snowboard tours offer the perfect solution if you’re looking to explore a new destination while getting in some slope time. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned pro or a complete beginner, you’ll have the option to book lessons and chances are there will be someone on your tour of a similar standard. Enjoy the cool and crazy vibes of Tokyo before taking a train to one of the nearby ski resorts or hit the slopes in Lake Tahoe on a sightseeing trip through California, Arizona, and Nevada.

Small Group

Some of Contiki’s groups accommodate up to 50 people, which some travelers love, as it allows them to meet more people. If you prefer a smaller, more intimate travel experience, Contiki offers Small Group tours with tours averaging 12 to 24 people.

Volunteering

Contiki’s Volunteering tours allow travelers to give back to the countries and communities they’re exploring. Volunteer tours combine exploration with a service element, such as participating in sustainable development projects.

Other Tour Types

Contiki has a variety of other tour types:

• Backpacking
• Christmas Tours
• Group Travel
• Guided Tours
• Hiking and Trekking
• New Year’s Eve Tours
• Sightseeing
• Solo Travel
• Winter Holidays
• World Tours

Contiki provides over 350 tours to 75 destinations within these countries, continents, and regions:

• Latin America
• Middle East
• New Zealand
• U.S. and Canada

Contiki Top Tours

Contiki offers itineraries of up to 22 days to explore this vast country. Many cover the popular east coast from Sydney to Cairns, while others venture into the remote outback to watch the sunset at Uluru. Sail around the Whitsundays, learn to surf at Byron Bay, or see where the rainforest meets the reef at Cape Tribulation.

• Includes transport, accommodation, breakfast, and some activities

Hot Tip:  As flights are not included in the tour price, you might be interested in the best ways to fly to Australia with points and miles . 

Contiki is well-known for its European bus tours, but some destinations utilize transportation by train or boat for coastal areas. It’s usually unnecessary to fly between destinations as combination tours like European Discovery typically cover neighboring countries. Let’s take a look at a sample of what’s available.

Contiki Croatia

You can discover Croatia as a standalone tour or as part of a combination Balkans or European tour. With one of the longest coastlines in the Mediterranean, it’s the perfect sailing destination, stopping at the historic coastal cities of Dubrovnik and Split and the beautiful islands of Korčula and Hvar.

• Includes transport, accommodation, some meals, and activities

Contiki Greece

You can island-hop your way around Greece or visit as part of a wider European tour. With most tours starting in Athens, you can explore the iconic Acropolis and Olympic Stadium before sailing between the likes of Mykonos, Santorini, and Ios.

Contiki Italy

Contiki runs a wide variety of trips to Italy, ranging from week-long tours visiting some of its most iconic cities and coastlines to 45-day European tours. From exploring Roman ruins and floating cities to sampling fresh pasta or delicious wine at a 16th-century Tuscan winery, you’ll most definitely be living la dolce vita .

Japan is an enchanting county of contrasts, from bustling cities to ornate temples and magnificent mountains to war memorials. With the high-speed bullet train, it’s pretty easy to get around to Kyoto and Hiroshima, and some tours include a trip into the mountains for skiing or snowboarding.

Hot Tip:  If you’re planning to visit Japan in Spring, take a look at our ultimate guide to the cherry blossom festivals .

Explore the North Island, South Island, or both with a Contiki New Zealand tour. Cruise across the Bay of Islands, go white water rafting down Kaituna River, or spend a night on the town in Wellington. Contiki tours range from 6 to 19 days.

• Includes transport, accommodation, some meal, and activities

Hot Tip:  If you’re flying from the U.S. to New Zealand, find out which U.S. airports Air New Zealand flies direct from .

Embark on the ultimate Thailand adventure and tour the northern jungles of Chang Mai and the exotic coastlines and islands of the south. If you’re looking to visit more than 1 country, some tours combine Thailand with neighboring Cambodia or Malaysia.

If you’re looking for a tour closer to home, Contiki offers trips throughout the U.S. and Canada. These range from 2-night city breaks exploring Los Angeles , Orlando, or New York, or trips up to 26 days covering most of the eastern and southern states.

Hot Tip:  If you decide that a group tour isn’t for you, check out the best road trips in the U.S.  that might inspire you for your next vacation.

My Contiki is a platform for you to manage your profile and bookings and view trip itineraries, including the details for your Trip Manager (the person responsible for running the trip day-to-day). If you want to chat beforehand with people that will be on your tour, you can do this in the Meet Up area and you can also access any social media groups that the Trip Manager or your fellow travelers might set up.

Contiki is a well-reviewed tour company with the following overall ratings:

• Feefo : 4.6 out of 5
• Contiki.com : 4.6 out of 5
• TourRadar : 4.7 out of 5

These are some recent reviews from some of Contiki’s top tours. It’s clear to see that the Trip Managers contribute hugely to the enjoyment of the tours. The majority of the negative reviews for Contiki center around the lively nature of the tours and a focus on drinking culture. While this may suit some young travelers, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

Australian Outback Adventure “The trip itself was incredible, we had so many activities, most of them you had to pay for but it was defiantly money well spent, it was worth it!! There was a lot of travelling involved but it was all an amazing adventure, and we got to get to know everyone much better.” — Emma Mccaw

Croatia Island Sail “Dani was incredible, made it such a fun experience. She was so knowledgeable with history and local tips. Gave us plenty of down time and got the party started at the right times. It was a great week and would definitely recommend to friends” — Harriet Gilmour

Japan Winter Wonder “The trip manager was absolutely brilliant. We visited amazing places and our accommodation was very good. We were well looked after and our trip manager always made sure we were enjoying ourselves. There was so much to do everywhere we went and there just weren’t enough hours in the day to do them all but we always saw the highlights in every city.” — Anonymous

New Zealand The Big Tiki “Honestly can say one of the best trips I have been on! Amazingly well organised and the included activities were very good. A big thanks to Dan and Pat for organising it all so well and going above and beyond to make sure we made it to our activities!! The accommodation was very very good and I thought the itinerary covered everything key.” — Anonymous

Spotlight on Greece “The trip manager was really cool and took us to amazing local spots! The activities went from nature to museums to wine and dining! It was all a blast and I highly recommend for anyone who has only a week to get away! The locals are all so friendly and the food is amazing! Beautiful hotels and easy transportation included! A must see!!” — Melanie Button

Thai Island Hopper East “Everything was great. Especially for the price of the trip. Trip manager was amazing and everything was set out for us. Best experiences with not a worry in the world.” — Alexander Brighton

United States Grand Southern “Trip is well thought out stopping at great spots around the U.S. The extra add ons were fantastic, a large variety of what you normally get on organised tours. The trip manager Hayley Jo was beyond amazing, she went above and beyond to make sure anything was possible on the trip! Would highly recommend the Hot air balloon and snowmobiles, was such a great day!” — Emma Walker

Topdeck is another popular tour company covering many of the same destinations as Contiki , with both companies extremely popular for European bus tours. Both appeal to the same target market, however, Contiki does have a firm age limit of 35, and Topdeck caters to “18-30 somethings.” The travel style is very similar across both operators with socializing at the core, and both offer small group tour alternatives for those looking for a less party vibe.

When it comes to cost, Topdeck comes in cheaper than Contiki on the overall tour price, but this is often because there are more entrance fees and excursions included with Contiki. Topdeck provides a lot more free time, so any activities would be additional.

Contiki is an extremely popular tour company for young people, but large group tours are not going to suit everyone’s travel styles. Contiki tours are known for their lively, party atmosphere, which many travelers love. It’s as much about meeting new people and socializing as it is about exploring a new destination for them.

Many travelers make lifelong friends within their tour group, and the company states that many people have even found love on a Contiki tour. Contiki recognizes that not everyone wants to travel in a large group and has created some tour categories that have a more in-depth focus on the destination or for traveling in smaller groups.

As with other group tour operators such as G Adventures and Intrepid Travel , Contiki is committed to sustainable travel by supporting local communities, ethical animal experiences, and planting 1 tree for every traveler that uses e-documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go on contiki if you are over 35.

Contiki has a maximum age limit of 35 for all of its tours, so if you are over 35 you would not be permitted, unfortunately.

Should I go on a Contiki tour alone?

Whether you’re an experienced traveler or are embarking on your first solo trip, Contiki tours are perfect for single travelers. You’ll experience the excitement of independent travel while having the logistical side of things taken care of. Rather than having to approach a new friend in a hostel bar, you’ll get to know your fellow travelers in a less daunting environment.

Tour prices are based on you sharing with a fellow traveler of the same gender, but you can also upgrade to a private room for a fee.

Are Contiki tours safe?

Contiki is committed to providing a safe environment for all travelers, and Trip Managers are there to support travelers with advice and recommendations on safety. Although most traveler’s experiences are problem-free, there is always a small element of risk when exploring an unknown destination.

Are Contiki tours good for couples?

If you’re a sociable couple happy to be around the company of others, you’ll likely enjoy a Contiki tour. If you’re looking for a quiet, romantic trip with lots of alone time, it probably won’t suit you.

Do Contiki trips include flights?

Entry and exit flights from the meeting point are not included in the tour price. Any flights that form part of the itinerary are included in the price (unless otherwise stated) and these are often used in Asia and South America where it’s necessary to cover large distances in a short space of time.

Is Contiki a party tour?

Contiki tours do have a reputation for being party tours, featuring a reasonable amount of free time to explore the local nightlife. Although the atmosphere can be quite lively and social, it’s up to the individual whether they decide to partake.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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Contiki Review: Are Contiki trips worth it?

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I just got back from a whirlwind adventure through Portugal and Spain (two new countries for me!) with 16 strangers, who became 16 new friends. 

Yepp, I was on a Contiki, a specially curated group trip for 18 – 35 year olds and I’m excited to share my full Contiki review including what to expect, the pros and cons, and everything in between.

What is Contiki?

Contiki is a group trip operator for 18 – 35 year olds with over 200+ trips in 6 continents. They have itineraries ranging from weekend getaways in the US to a 6 week long exploration of Europe hitting 16 countries! 

Not only that, but they have themed trips for different travel styles and interests like African safaris , Christmas markets , and Pride trips .

Contiki is most popular (for now) in Australia and New Zealand, so as an American (as most of my readers are), you might not have heard of Contiki. But they’ve been around since the 1960s curating incredible trips, fostering local connections, and supporting young travelers in checking off their travel goals. 

Who is Contiki for?

Aside from the obvious target age group (18 – 35 year olds), Contiki is best for a variety of travelers.

If you’re traveling solo for the first time , group trips are an especially wonderful way to go as they ease the mental load in planning your own trip and you won’t really be solo since you’ll have a group to travel with once you arrive.

Contiki is also great for travelers who want to cross off lots of destinations in one go. These trips are fast-paced with the goal of tackling that travel bucket list of yours.

I’m in my late 20s/early 30s. Is Contiki right for me?

Heyyy! 👋 As a 29 (almost 30) year old, I feel ya. I was a bit intimidated to be thrown into a younger crowd, especially as a non-drinker and avid 10 pm bedtime type-of gal.

But fear not! These trips are for 18 – 35 year olds for a reason. That age bracket goes up to 35 for a reason.

It’s not just 18 year olds, there are people your own age on these trips and I found that we naturally gravitated toward each other.

I never thought I’d walk away from a Contiki with new true, lifelong friends, but that’s what happened! And as a self-employed post-grad with no daily interactions like school or an office, it’s HARD to make friends. So for me, this was incredibly valuable, special, and treasured.

What’s included in a Contiki booking?

All Contiki trips include accommodation, ground transportation, breakfast, some dinners, and select itinerary activities.

You also get a trip manager, trip driver, and a whole group of friends waiting to be made!

What’s NOT included?

Flights to your starting destination and from your end destination are not included in order to give you the most flexibility in booking. Personally, I wouldn’t want a company to blindly pick a flight that ends up with a terrible layover or multiple stops if I had the freedom to decide.

This also allows you to extend your trip before or after your Contiki, which can be really nice if you’re traveling extra far and want to maximize your time!

You can book flights with Contiki as an add-on if you need help, so don’t fret if you don’t want to do it yourself!

Select lunches and dinners are also not included. Each itinerary has free time built in to allow you to explore on your own with your new friends. This is also great because you can try local recommendations or those by your trip manager, who always know the best spots! You’ll need to budget for these meals when you’re travel planning . 

Free Time Add-Ons

In order to customize your itinerary, Contiki has free time add-on (FTA) experiences, which are extra experiences for an extra cost. You can choose to add these on or not. 

In fact, you can choose to add them on during the trip. So, when you make friends and find out they’re doing a FTA experience or when you get to talking with your trip manager and they recommend a FTA, you can decide then and there to participate. 

You can pay via card or cash during the trip, so that gives you even more time to save up for those activities.

Like to plan ahead? Don’t worry, they’ll send you a full list of the add-ons and their cost with your travel documents a few weeks before your trip.

Make Travel Matter Experiences

Another unique aspect of Contiki are their Make Travel Matter (MTM) experiences, which are available on 80% of Contiki’s trips and are also add-on’s. These experiences foster connections with the local community and support local efforts of sustainability, tourism, and the arts. The goal is to travel responsibility and give back to local communities.

The impact of MTM experiences is incredible, not only for locals to have their stories amplified, but for travelers to truly have meaningful experiences.

On my Contiki, our Make Travel Matter experience was a tour of street art in the Torre neighborhood in Cascais, Portugal. It was significant because this neighborhood was once plagued with graffiti vandalism, so locals gathered to come up with a solution. They started the Infinito Festival, an 8-day celebration of art, where artists created massive murals on their neighborhood buildings. The goal was to give artists recognition in exchange for making the community better.

The Infinito Festival transformed the government’s opinion on the community, so now they are able to garner support for local programs like daycares, after-school programs, and more!

All this to say, had I planned my own trip to Portugal, I never would have even known about the Torre neighborhood, let alone been able to tour their beautiful street art and learn of their incredible efforts to transform their community. It was the most memorable activity on the whole trip!

Some other examples of Make Travel Matter experiences you might get on your Contiki include a visit to a local lemon farm in Italy, learning about Kiwi conservation in Rotorua on New Zealand’s North Island , and discovering Indigenous plant medicine in Jasper, Canada .

How much does Contiki cost?

The average trip costs $2,000 – 3,000 and lasts for about 7 – 9 days. Of course, so many factors contribute to the cost of a trip. For example, shorter weekend trips can cost as little as $350 where the 45 day European explorer trip is almost $7,000.

You’ll also want to account for those extras like Free Time Add-Ons, excluded meals, souvenirs/snacks you want to purchase, and although optional, a tip for your trip manager and trip driver ($3 per day is recommended).

Cost Breakdown

As your resident trip planner bestie, let’s breakdown the costs to see if that price tag is really worth it and I’ll give you my two cents 😉

I’m using my trip as an example, which was 9 days including the two travel days – arrival and departure.

Accommodation

Other Expenses

Priceless Stuff

Total: $1710 compared to a $2200 Contiki

Is the cost worth it?

Just looking at numbers, you might save around $500 – 700 if you DIY the whole trip yourself, which I totally understand is nothing to sniff at. BUT, all those priceless things that you get by booking a group trip I personally think are valued at way more than $500.

Having a trip manager who shares their knowledge with you is seriously priceless. They know all the best local spots and if you have a question about the destination’s history or fun facts, they know it!

Not to mention, having a private coach with a driver is not only incredibly nice, but it saves you so much headache. I don’t know about you, but when I travel, transportation is my least favorite thing to figure out. I hate that no matter how comfortable I am in a city, I still am going to have to figure out my way back to my hotel at the end of the day no matter how tired I am.

So on a Contiki, this headache is permanently relieved. Phew!

Plus, you can travel from city to city and country to country without having to worry about navigating trains, buses, or a rental car (and don’t even get me started on driving on the opposite side of the road). And if you hired a private coach, you’d be paying top dollar out of pocket (much more than I estimated above).

I mentioned it before, but I’ll say it again, those Make Travel Matter experiences are also priceless. Those connections that Contiki has will make for the most memorable part of your trip.

And of course, group trips come with new friends! Sure, you could stay in a hostel and meet people as you travel, but as soon as you go to your next stop, you have to start over. Here, your friends travel with you the whole time! Score!

And finally, my favorite thing. Contiki’s trips are pre-planned. You don’t have to spend hours and hours of stress and tears planning your own trip. As a planner myself, I have total faith in you that you could do it. That’s kinda my whole jam. But, holy cow, handing over the reins is instant relief (if not a little nerve-wracking, I know).

Now when you put all that together, I truly think Contiki trips are worth the price tag for first time solo travelers, young travelers looking to make friends, and anyone who is intimidated by or tired of planning your own trips.

On the other hand, it might not be right for you if you really need to pinch pennies and DIY the trip yourself. It also might not be the right fit if you want complete control of your schedule and pacing.

Pros of Contiki

Pre-planned.

Having the whole she-bang pre-planned for you is truly a blessing. It’s so nice to just be able to have someone else take care of everything. It saves you time and headache.

I also think because of this, you’ll like do things you might not have considered or found yourself. Like in Toledo, we did a super fun zipline, that I don’t know that I would have known about otherwise!

Cost Effective

Contiki trips are cost effective for those looking for pre-planned trips. They often have sales, which make it an even better deal. In fact, there’s a Switch on Travel sale happening now, so the trips are up to 25% off!

Good for Challenging Destinations

One of the best parts of Contiki is that they’re fantastic for exploring destinations that might be challenging to visit on your own. Whether that’s somewhere with language barriers, transportation obstacles, or where you need a tour for access like a safari.

For example, if I were to visit Africa as a solo female traveler, I’d probably feel much more comfortable doing so on a group trip. In fact, I visited Japan on a group trip and it was so helpful for navigating the language barrier!

Encourages Social Travel

One of the best parts of traveling is meeting people – not just locals, but fellow travelers who can share in your excitement of discovering a new place. 

When you’re on a group trip, friends are built into the experience.

Trip Manager and Driver

I said it before and I’ll say it again, having a private trip manager and trip driver is priceless. They make everything easier and ensure that you have the best, most comfortable, and most fun time.

Support System

Not only do your new friends support you with some healthy peer pressure for doing things that might be beyond your comfort zone, but having a professional team behind your trip is an extra security blanket that’s incredibly valuable.

Lost luggage or passport? Caught a cold? Your trip manager will ensure these hiccups go smoothly and help you resolve them seamlessly.

Bucket List Checker

With Contiki, you really get to check off your bucket list because you’re visiting multiple destinations in one go. I especially love this because it makes the price tag even more valuable.

Cons of Contiki

Yepp, that’s a pro and a con. With pre-planned itineraries, you get what you get. That means if you really aren’t interested in something, you might not be able to skip it. And if you really want to do something, you might not get a chance to.

However, there is freedom built into the itinerary. After speaking with my trip driver, he said that they don’t monitor everyone’s whereabouts all the time – only when traveling from city to city. So, if you want to skip something, technically you can just not show up to the morning call time at the coach.

Plus, there is free time frequently where you can roam the cities by yourself or with your new friends. I usually stuck with my Trip Manager so she could give a little walking tour and I could learn about the destination.

Other times, I wandered off on my own, which was especially nice as an introvert to recharge. I  visited Livrario Lello, the most beautiful (and crowded) bookstore in Porto and the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid to see artworks that I learned about in Art History back in high school and college (I was almost an art preservation chemist way back when).

This is a word of warning for any group trip, not just Contiki. These things are fast paced. I mean meet at the coach at 8 am to drive to a guided visit of a local attraction, free time for lunch, walking tour after lunch, wine tasting, then food tour for dinner ending around 10pm or later each day. 

It’s a lot. And you get tired easily. You’ll learn to love the long coach rides between destinations so you can recoup, especially my late 20s/early 30s crowd.

If you’re looking for slow travel with deep local experiences, Contiki might not be right for you.

Dependent on Others

It can be aggravating to wait on others, no matter the context. So on group trips, that’s just something to expect. It’s not always a problem, but if you’re an “on time is late” type of person, it might annoy you to wait for others to start your day or continue a tour.

My Contiki Experience

Accommodation on Contiki trips can range from hostels to hotels, but most commonly you’ll find you’re staying in 2 to 3 star hotels.

Typically, you will have a roommate as rooms are booked based on double occupancy. If you travel with someone, you’ll be paired with them accordingly. You can also pay extra for your own room upon booking your trip.

While the hotels I stayed in were certainly a far cry from 5 star luxury properties , they did their job. The beds were comfortable and breakfasts at each hotel were typical continental breakfasts. Nothing to write home about, but a free breakfast is a free breakfast.

My biggest complaint really has to do with European hotels, not with Contiki and that’s that the climate control was often not available or set to AC because it was still too early in the year (it was March). The other thing was that these lower star hotels have pretty small rooms in Europe with two twin sized beds right up next to each other and little room for large suitcases.

Take that as you will and pack accordingly.

As a foodie who travels mouth first, I found the food options hit or miss. We had some incredible food like a bifana sandwich in Porto and egg tarts from the original shop in Lisbon.

But, we also had some food that wasn’t bad, but I wouldn’t have chosen myself or I wouldn’t go back to in lieu of other things.

I think the magic really comes from your free time and picking the brain of your trip manager for their local recommendations. They really are your greatest resource!

As someone who has been on group trips before, the pacing of Contiki felt on par. It’s fast, but intentionally so. The goal is to check off that bucket list, baby!

While it’s not my usual travel style to travel that quickly, I wasn’t disappointed in the fast pacing of the itinerary. Expect to be busy and tired, yet fulfilled by the end of your trip!

And sleep on the coach!

Ahh the unspoken undertone of Contiki. Maybe for my US readers who aren’t as familiar with Contiki, you might not know that there’s a party atmosphere, especially after dinner each night.

In fact, in Australia, many recent high school and college grads take a gap year to go on Contiki trips and it’s their first time away from home. So, they’re looking to party.

For me, I found that the option was there if I wanted to partake, but it wasn’t overly in your face. I didn’t feel like I was missing out if I didn’t go out.

And when I did join in the fun, I could stay sober if I wanted and just hangout with everyone!

All this to say, it is what you make it.

Everyone on my trip was so incredibly friendly that it was impossible not to make friends. I’ve been on some questionable group trips before and definitely didn’t get along with everyone, which honestly I think is a reasonable experience. However, my Contiki had the best people!

My trip manager, Maddy, and trip driver, Bart, were also amazing! I had the best time getting to know everyone and make these travel memories together. It was seriously the most fun part!

Not to say my experience is a guarantee that you’ll click just as well with your group, but I would put more faith in it than you might be.

What I did right

The first thing is that I got social real quickly. As the trip goes on, you get more and more tired, so you want to push yourself to be social and make those friends ASAP. Future you will thank you.

@periodicadventures 1 week and 16 new friends later 🥰 Thanks to @Contiki | Travel Together for bringing us together #traveltogether ♬ original sound – Alanna | Travel Pro 🧳

I packed light and that was so helpful for those tiny European hotel rooms. Not to mention, we switched hotels every couple nights, so to unpack and repack then haul my suitcase to and from the coach was a lot. Having one carry-on with packing cubes and one backpack was all I needed and much appreciated.

On the topic of packing, I packed the essentials (most of them anyway). I was the go-to person for sunscreen, basic medication, tissues, hand sanitizer, portable chargers, and water. On these action packed itineraries, you’ll appreciate having the basics covered, so you don’t need to waste your free time running into a pharmacy…which I needed to do myself…so no one’s perfect.

I kept in touch with my friends and trip mates. It can be HARD to do this, but I’ve found as I’ve gotten older that this is so incredibly important. I’m excited to keep up with my Contiki friends’ lives and visit them around the world as I continue to travel.

What I did wrong

I didn’t pack enough cold medication. That’s always a tip I include for group trips and yet, I didn’t pack enough for myself. And guess who the first person was to get sick on the trip? ME. Rookie move.

Luckily, my trip manager came with me to a pharmacy and spoke to the pharmacist for me (in Spanish) so I could get what I needed. What would have been a stress-inducing interaction was seamless because I was on a group trip! Thank goodness!

I had trouble staying hydrated. I’m not sure if this was a destination thing, or a Contiki thing, or a me thing, but despite having a reusable water bottle, I couldn’t find places to fill it up and after walking 10,000+ steps each day, my body was feeling it. I recommend keeping an eye out and prioritizing your health, always!

I booked another trip right after my Contiki. That one was on me. I literally left the next day after I returned home to go to Universal Orlando and while I always have a great time running through the Wizarding World , my body wasn’t thrilled with my choices. My advice is to factor in some downtime once you return from your Contiki, so you can recoup and settle back in.

So, is Contiki worth it?

It depends on the person. I know…a very diplomatic answer, but I honestly think it depends on what you’re looking for in your trip.

If you have more time to spend abroad and prefer slow travel with a deep emphasis on local culture and cuisine and are truly trying to stretch your budget, I would keep doing your own research on what options are best for you.

But, if you want someone to plan your trip for you, sweep you away everyday, set you up for a fun time checking off your bucket list, and get you ready to make some amazing new friends and memories, Contiki is for you!

Browse Contiki’s trips here to get started.

*All photos asterisked are courtesy of My Media Sydney .

Thank you to Contiki for hosting me on this trip. As always, all opinions are my own.

Looking for more group travel guides? or student travel resources? I got you 👇

• Everything to know about solo group trips
• How to save for travel in college
• What to know before your Birthright group trip
• Tips for Birthright from past travelers
• How to survive a group trip as an introvert
• Ways you can travel in college
• Where to travel when you’re in college
• Top study abroad destinations around the world

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Recent PhD graduate and hyper-planner of Periodic Adventures, my goal is to share travel inspiration, budget tips, detailed guides, and fun travel stories!

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Everything You Need to Know for Your First Contiki Tour (Plus 17 Trip Recommendations)

If you’re currently deciding between Contiki and another method of travel, what I hope to do is provide some exposure and answer some questions about Contiki that I wish I had known so I could’ve considered it as an option sooner. Read on for everything you need to know about Contiki tours, along with 17 of my personal recommendations for itineraries to choose!

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I recently took my very first Contiki tour along the coast of the Mediterranean – through Spain, France, Monaco, Italy , and the Vatican. As someone who travels equally as a solo female , a couple, and part of a small group, I am not the kind of person who’s tied to one dedicated travel style and I tend to appreciate the benefits each way of seeing the world can provide. Contiki’s was the first large group tour I’d been on since college, though.

As soon as I announced earlier this year that I’d be going on a Contiki tour, I was instantly met with 3 types of responses: 

Praise – I love Contiki! I went on several tours / I’ve been dying to go (I specifically received more excitement than I expected to from people who are now 50 or 60 years old reminiscing on the Contiki tours they took in their 20s!) 

Skepticism – What’s it like traveling with that many people? Isn’t it just one big college party? 

Lack of Awareness – What’s a Contiki? 

I actually fell into the last category myself! I had no idea what Contiki was until recently. And now that I’ve been on a tour myself, I so regret not having known Contiki was an option when I was in college and just beginning to dip my toe into international travel without my parents. But even now, a couple of years out of college, I still had a blast. Something about being in a karaoke bar in Florence at 2 in the morning really brings the ‘youth’ out in everyone, you know? 

If you’re currently deciding between Contiki and another method of travel, what I hope to do is provide some exposure and answer some questions about Contiki that I wish I had known so I could’ve considered it as an option sooner. At the end of this post, you should have all the facts you’ll need to decide whether to book a Contiki trip, and which Contiki tour (because there are several!) is the perfect choice for you!

What is Contiki? 

Contiki is a social (group) travel company for ages 18-35. The company has been around since 1962 when it got its start in London as a minibus operation taking backpackers and holiday seekers from London to Europe on months-long expeditions. Since then, Contiki has grown into one of the most popular travel companies in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. More recently, they’ve started gaining steam in the US too. 

Today, Contiki operates over 350+ unique tours across 6 continents ranging from $179 to $9,000 in price. The tours run anywhere from 3 days to over 40 days, and either focus on one particular destination or a variety of cities and countries in close proximity. 

Contiki Tour Structure 

Contiki offers 8 different tour categories to appeal to a wide-ranging group of travelers with different interests, whether it’s traveling on a budget, seeking out local experiences, or squeezing in a quick getaway without taking too much time off from work or school .

If you decide to book a Contiki tour, you can use code CONTIKIRACH100 to save $100 on any 7+ day itinerary

1. contiki discoverer tours:.

What it Is: Discoverer tours are meant for seeing and experiencing as much of each destination as possible.

Availability : All regions except Africa and the Middle East

My Discoverer Tour Picks (Click to View):

2. Contiki In-Depth Explorer Tours:

What it Is: In-Depth Explorer tours are aimed at focusing on culturally rich exploration within a particular country or region.

Availability : All 6 continents

My In-Depth Explorer Picks (Click to View):

3. Contiki Iconic Essentials Tours:

What it Is: Iconic Essentials tours are focused specifically on essentials and a destination’s most famous sites, with the idea of giving you the most bang for your buck.

Availability : Europe only

My Iconic Essentials Picks (Click to View):

4. Contiki Sailing and Cruise Tours:

What it Is: Sailing and cruise tours are itineraries with an emphasis on water and beach activities.

Availability : Australia and Europe only

My Sailing & Cruise Picks (Click to View):

5. Contiki Short Trip and Festival Tours:

What it Is: Short, usually 3- or 4-day trips aimed at either attending festivals, taking a weekend getaway, or adding on to an existing trip you might already be taking.

Availability : Australia, New Zealand, Europe, USA, and Canada

My Short Trip and Festival Picks (Click to View):

6. Contiki Ski and Snowboard Tours:

What it Is: Ski and snowboard tours are centered around winter sports and activities.

Availability : Asia, New Zealand, Europe, USA, and Canada

My Ski and Snowboard Picks (Click to View):

On Contiki’s site, you can filter their 300+ trips by the above categories to narrow down your search. If you’re more of a solo adventurer, you can also filter the trips to only see itineraries with maximum free time (versus a structured itinerary).

Most, if not all, Contiki itineraries will list out a number of different free-time add-ons (FTAs) that are not included in the base price of the trip. This is something you should be aware of and budget for upfront, because you will only be able to pay for these FTAs while you’re already on the trip itself.

Of course, you can opt out of any FTA you don’t want to do. But from my experience, there will be at least a handful of add-ons that you’ll either really enjoy or won’t want to miss out on (if the rest of the group is participating and there’s no better alternative, for example). These FTAs can be anything from a special meal to a full-day excursion. On my Contiki trip, some of the most fun FTAs we were offered included a tour of a monastery and a Tuscan dinner experience, a pasta making class in Rome, and a bike tour of the city in Nice. The bike tour was, without question, one of my favorite memories from the entire trip. 

What Kind of Traveler Would Like a Contiki Tour (and Is it Right for You?) 

While the Contiki brand markets itself as a travel company for 18-35 year olds, the average age of a Contiki traveler is 26. Old enough to have disposable income, but young enough to have the energy and stamina needed to sight-see all day and maybe even go out for a drink at night (and then do it all again the next day). 

Contiki is actually a prime tour for both friend groups and solo travelers. Many tours are large enough for entire groups of friends to book altogether and be guaranteed space. Beyond that, tours like Contiki are great for groups because no one from your friend group needs to be tasked with the planning, logistics, or budgeting, which is often the most stressful and time-consuming part of traveling with other people. On the flip side, solo travelers have an advantage too, because Contiki allows individuals to visit new countries and cities with a guaranteed arsenal of companions along with a dedicated trip manager, which can be a huge relief, especially if you’re thinking of using Contiki as your first exposure to international travel. About 45% of all Contiki travelers book tours with at least one friend or a significant other, and close to 55% travel solo. 

I love planning trips and figuring out itineraries , but one of my favorite things about going on my Contiki tour was not having to worry about a single thing for once! Everything from my transportation, to my hotel room, to my meals and activities was handled. All I had to do was show up and enjoy, which was such a nice change of pace from what I’m used to. 

Transportation Style 

The majority of Contiki tours involve a coach bus or minibus. Contiki coach busses are something the company takes great pride in because they are essentially the symbol and walking billboard of the brand. Because of this, each Contiki coach is outfitted with bright colors on the outside, and plush seating arrangements on the inside. The busses have AC, a TV, WiFi, USB charging ports, and individual tray tables at the back of each seat. I’ll admit, the WiFi isn’t the best (you only get 100 MB of free WiFi on each device every 24 hours, and while you can purchase additional data, it’s spotty at best. However, it’s better than having nothing, and does get the job done if you’re just trying to catch up on texts or scroll through Instagram. 

Depending on your itinerary, you will be spending a lot of time in the coach. So pack a neck pillow, a book, and plan to spend this time catching up on sleep, work, reading, or getting to know the other travelers on your tour! The coach can be a pretty fun experience in itself. Also, Contiki’s drivers are top-notch, safe, and incredibly precise. I absolutely adored Paolo, our driver for the week we spent in Europe. 

Food & Drinks

You will have some meals and drinks included in your Contiki tour, while others will either be FTAs or free time to explore and eat on your own. Each itinerary on the Contiki site will list out the meals included so you can get a decent idea of what you’ll be responsible for while you’re on the trip. 

To get an idea of what tips of meal FTAs are offered for the itinerary you’re considering, scroll down to the itinerary section of the trip description and click on ‘See Detailed Itinerary.’ This will show you all of the FTA meals available and how much they will cost! 

For the meal inclusions, it’s important to also know that some of these meal inclusions will simply be whatever free food is served at the hostel or hotel you’re staying at. 

Accommodations

The accommodations you’ll stay in range from hostels to hotels to what Contiki refers to as ‘Special Stays’ in unique lodging. Think chateaus in France and floating rafts in Thailand! Regardless of the accommodation type, expect to share your room with between 1 – 4 other travelers throughout your trip. This may be a good or a bad thing, depending on how you view it, but hostel-hopping is an extremely common practice outside of the US and an incredibly easy way to meet new people. In my experience, despite having limited space for luggage, I got along with my roommates right away and we ended up banding together for the majority of our Contiki tour which was great since we all went into the trip as strangers! 

If you’re considering a tour that moves around frequently and doesn’t spend more than 1 or 2 nights in any location, I’d strongly recommend not bringing more than a carry on with you on the trip. All that moving around with a check-in luggage can be a huge pain and honestly not worth the hassle (speaking from experience!).

Conscious Travel

What I was really intrigued to learn that I don’t think many people know is that Contiki partners with the TreadRight Foundation to support and sustain people, wildlife, and environmental issues in the countries they impact. In addition to a number of organizational commitments (called ‘Contiki Cares’), Contiki has also created several opportunities to learn about sustainability and participate in volunteer opportunities while you’re on tour. Some of these opportunities include learning about bush medicine in Australia , supporting community building efforts in Ecuador , and visiting elephant rehabilitation sanctuaries in Thailand .

When making the decision to book a tour with Contiki or a similar tour operator, definitely pay attention to their values and the initiatives (if any) they’re supporting, as this is essentially what your dollars will be supporting. While many people associate Contiki with lots of partying and quick-hit trips through countries, there are actually a number of itineraries on offer that focus instead on slow travel, cultural immersion, and contribution to society and sustainability. Now that I know about the Contiki Cares program, I personally would love for my next trip with them to be one that includes a community or sustainability initiative (I actually have my eyes on this trip , which includes a visit to a women’s co-op in Jordan).

To learn more about Contiki’s approach to conscious travel, go here.

Overall Pros + Cons: 

Logistics figured out for you

Epic itineraries

Unique experiences

Like-minded travelers

Highly organized

Lots of partying, if you choose (pro and con)

Sustainability and conscious travel initiatives to participate in

Dedicated trip managers and drivers 

Price & financing options 

Cons: 

Packed schedule 

Shared lodging

Faster pace 

Price (listing this as a pro and a con, depending on how you look at it and depending on which trip you’re interested in) 

Use code CONTIKIRACH100 to save $100 on any 7+ day Contiki Trip

I was selected as Contiki’s Travel Ambassador for the 2019-2020 year. That said, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

#OffDutyDestination #ContikiAmbassador

Read This Next:

My Contiki Mediterranean Quest Itinerary Review: 10 Jam-Packed Days in Europe

Where to Stay in Nice, France: The Hôtel Ozz

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Hey there! I’m Rachel, a travel writer and a full-time advertising / marketing expert. In 2019, I traveled more than 25 times while working 9 to 5, and since then I’ve committed myself to living a more adventurous life, even if it means bringing my laptop along for the ride. Are you hungry to travel more, but overwhelmed with how to juggle work and play? You’ve come to the right place!

Recent Adventures:

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• Updated on: September 23, 2019

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Contiki Tours Review – Why I Picked Them for My First Trip

Published by Jeremy . Last Updated on August 25, 2022.

Disclaimers : Our site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Please check out our Terms and Conditions for more information. Listed prices and attraction details may have changed since our visit and initial publication.

Ten years ago, several months before this blog even existed, I went on my first trip overseas. With absolutely zero stamps in my brand new passport and having never traveled solo before in my life, you could say that international travel was a new experience for me.

Looking back now, after having traveled for many years in 70+ countries, filling my passport a few times over in the process, I can say that I've grown a lot as a traveler.

But for that very first trip, I was clueless and a little bit terrified. With limited time and a modest budget, I decided to go for it all and book a guided tour. One that would end up changing the course of my life forever.

It was with Contiki tours. Europe was in my sights.

Why Go On Contiki Tours?

This question could also be replaced with another similar question: “Why go on a guided tour?” that I've touched base on several times in the past.

Compared to every other guided tour out there, a Contiki tour needs a special distinction. Many travelers have heard of Contiki, and the tour company has developed a number of reputations for its services as a guided tour company.

To go a bit deeper into a Contiki tour itself requires a bit more insight as I chose this company for a few very important reasons.

18 to 35 Only with Contiki Tours

In being new to travel, my biggest fear about group travel was that I would book a tour that ended up being a retiree tour without being the wiser. 

In advertising that they were 18-35 only, I knew in an instant that the group of travelers would be like me. Little did I know at the time of booking that at 22 I was probably on the average to older side of the crowd there- with many being 18-19 (and on a bit older than 30). 

With up to 52 people per tour, quite a large number by tour group standards, there had to be a few others that were on their first trip and just as clueless as I was at the time. 

Ten years on and I am still close friends with many of the people on my tour, something I cannot say for those I meet in passing in most of my solo travels.

Time on a Contiki Tours Europe Trip

That summer many years ago I had exactly four weeks from college graduation to starting my summer internship. When looking at doing Europe by myself for most of that time, I realized I wouldn't cover that much ground. 

A guided tour looked great because I could circle almost all of Western Europe without dealing with the logistics myself. 

I left the day after graduation, returned a couple of days before I needed to move, and maximized my time as much as possible. With the choice of quality time with a few destinations or minimal time at a large quantity, I chose the latter just to see what Europe had to offer as a taster.

Contiki Tours Itinerary

Book Your Trip Today Flights | Hotels | Apartments | Rental Car | Cruises | Day Tours

The itinerary goes hand-in-hand with time. As I was on the quantity route, I wanted to make sure I hit some of Europe's most amazing cities. Where did that 3 1/2 week trip go? Here's my European Whirl itinerary: 

London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Munich, Hopfgarten (Austria), Venice, Rome, Florence, Lauterbrunnen (Switzerland), Paris, and an equally impressive number of side stops including Dachau and Dresden. 

So you may be thinking that the itinerary is a lot to put in 3 1/2 weeks, and you would be right. The part worth mentioning is that my favorite spots out of that entire trip were Hopfgarten and Lauterbrunnen, two places I would not have gone to (or even heard of) if I went on my own. 

Now I seek out those small towns as much as possible. That is the true benefit of a guided tour.

Contiki excelled at this itinerary, as most of the other tour companies did not offer anything near as comprehensive as the one I went on. Couple that with the mandatory age range, and you have a killer combination for the first time traveler.

Contiki's Reputation

As mentioned above, Contiki has a few well-known reputations as a guided tour company, many of which I was aware of (and overlooked) prior to booking the trip (but for you reading Contiki reviews should most certainly take note of).

They Do Have a Party Atmosphere

The tour group age range is almost synonymous with the party atmosphere. Put 52 like minded travelers aged 18-35 together and you do not need a very large spark for an instant party to come together.  

In fact, the tour company has a few “party nights” at their company owned accommodations purely for getting the groups interacting and talking to each other. 

While the goal of this is to get to know your fellow travelers, it is fairly common for a few on each group to take it to the extremes. 

I got lucky in that my group was pretty mild, but the stories you read can get pretty out there in ways I wouldn't want to repeat on this site.

Everyone Knows You're On a Contiki Europe Tour

Find a group of tourists in Europe between the ages of 18-35. If they do not look like locals and are more than 12 in quantity, odds are they are on a Contiki tour. Why can I get away with saying that? Well, the odds are with you that it is true. 

Contiki is one of the few tour companies that operate solely in that age range and has large numbers in each tour. A tour group of 20 may break up into smaller groups, but as the mini groups get larger and larger there is only one company that they can belong to. 

Not only can people tell from a mile away without the labeled tour bus, so can the vendors, and you'll be called out for it: “Hey Contiki!!! Eat Here!!”

I have fond memories of sitting in Spain with Angie several years later and pointing out a Contiki group to her. She didn't believe me that it was, but I could recognize the group of 15 or so young people unusually clustered together. 

A few minutes later I even recognized someone who was on my own Contiki trip four years earlier. Yes, the same person, on a new tour, later confirmed by Facebook. You can spot them a mile away, and we even saw them again a few cities later in the same large group wandering around while getting their bearings.

These two are the largest reputations that should be considered when booking a Contiki tour. 

To be honest, neither of these bothered me in the slightest. I was a bit apprehensive at the party aspect but relieved that my group was relatively toned down compared to others. As far as the idea that everyone knows you are on a Contiki tour, take it into consideration that everyone knows you're a tourist, so being recognized as on a tour group is not much of a stretch past that. 

Just be aware that it will happen.

Contiki Quite Literally Changed My Life

I don't mean to be overdramatic when I say that Contiki changed my life, but it is true.

To put it simply, my Contiki experience is what started my love of travel. By the end of my trip I was already planning more, and just a few months later resulted in me launching this website.

This website led to me traveling around the world on two monster itineraries, seeing over 70 countries, and, 10 years later, became my full-time job.

The teaser aspect of visiting all those European destinations in rapid succession was the spark that made me want to explore the world over and over and over again.

I can't say that I am an expert in any of the European cities because of the Contiki trip, but I found that to be my calling to go back and see everything I missed in the short time (which I later did in several spots, including my favorite place in Europe- Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland).

Suffice it to say, it is exactly what I needed.

Would I Do Contiki Tours Again?

When it comes down to it, I really enjoyed my Contiki trip. Yes, the groups are large. Yes, they have a bit of a reputation and are oriented to younger travelers. But I also had a great time all the same as noted above.

I probably would not do a Contiki again, if only for two very important reasons:

1) I now travel the world on my own and typically do not do group tours unless in extremely difficult-to-get-to locations. 2) I am getting close to being too old for Contiki's 18-35 requirement.

Neither are reflections of Contiki in the slightest.

That being said, if I was magically transported back into my 22-year-old body, with a fresh passport, a limited schedule before my summer internship started, and being in a place where I never traveled outside of the country solo, yes, I would do my Contiki trip again in a heartbeat.

With a stuffed passport, a better understanding of the world, and the capabilities to do it on my own, the guided tour with Contiki gave me a good start in a new love affair with the world.

One that quite literally changed my life.

Book a Contiki Trip Today!

Looking to book a trip with Contiki ? Check out some of the following options!

• European Whirl – The trip that I did!
• Ultimate Europe plus Egypt – One of the longest tours in Europe with an Egypt add-on!
• Or, check out more tours in Europe , Asia , South America , and Africa !

For frequently asked questions about Contiki, check out the following!

What age range are Contiki tours for?

Contiki markets itself to the 18-35 demographic.

Who is best suited to take a Contiki tour?

Contiki is a great company for first-time travelers, those who want a fast-paced itinerary to many destinations, and, of course, those who want to travel within their age demographic.

What are the group sizes of Contiki tours?

This generally varies by destination and tour itself, but some can be as low as 12 to as big as 52. The latter is often the case in easy-to-travel destinations like North America and Europe where a standard coach is used.

About Jeremy

About the Author: Jeremy is a full-time travel writer based in Pittsburgh and primary author of this site. He has been to 70+ countries on five continents and seeks out new food, adventure activities, and off-the-beaten-path experiences wherever he travels.

6 thoughts on “Contiki Tours Review – Why I Picked Them for My First Trip”

good article about the contiki. I in the past did a few contikis myself about 5 of them in total. first was in 2005 and last was 2010 was lots of fun and good way to that type of travel for that time, as i was a good social experience. i now just travel solo everywhere but my contiki times were the most memorable times for travel

I have never thought of joining a tour group before! After reading about your experience with Contiki I am now thinking it sounds like a great idea

My first trip abroad was a Contiki trip too. I think group tours can get a bad rep, but you bring up some great points on why they can be a good thing. When my friend was looking to travel to Europe I encouraged her to try Contiki – it’s a nice way to get a sample of different countries and cities. If you’re new to travel it’s also a great way to meet new people and make friends. I think next time I’d pick a tour that doesn’t try to do so many countries in such a short time, my tour was 11 days and went to 8 countries – so it really was a whirlwind. Still I can’t say I regret it. If I hadn’t taken my Contiki tour I probably wouldn’t be doing the traveling that I have.

Great post – I’ve been considering a Contiki trip, though I think that I may have to pass this year with my other trips. I know a lot of people are anti-group travel like this but, personally, I love it. It’s completely different than solo travel but sometimes I just don’t feel comfortable going places by myself plus they’re great places to meet others!

Exactly what I think too! As long as you are out traveling rather than sitting at home not making it happen, then however you do it is good by me!

I think group tours are a great place for travelers to get their feet wet. Any travel is good travel in my book – if you’re out there exploring then you’re learning and that just can’t be bad for you!

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Are Contiki Tours Worth It? A Comprehensive Guide

• 2024-03-07 2024-03-07

Contiki tours are a popular option for travelers, particularly among young adults seeking an organized and exciting group travel experience. However, you might be wondering if Contiki tours are worth it. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the key aspects of Contiki tours to help you make an informed decision.

What are Contiki Tours?

Contiki tours are group travel packages specifically designed for 18-35-year-olds. These tours offer a combination of transportation, accommodation, activities, and guided tours, allowing travelers to explore various destinations in a hassle-free manner.

The Benefits of Contiki Tours

Contiki tours come with several advantages that make them an attractive option for many travelers:

• Pre-planned Itineraries: Contiki takes care of the planning, ensuring you visit popular attractions and experience the best each destination has to offer.
• Social Experience: Traveling with a group of like-minded individuals offers a chance to make new friends from around the world and share amazing experiences together.
• Expert Guides: Contiki provides knowledgeable guides who are familiar with the destinations, providing valuable insights and ensuring a smooth travel experience.
• Transportation and Accommodation: Contiki takes care of transportation between destinations and arranges accommodation, eliminating the need for travelers to worry about these logistics.
• Activities and Experiences: Contiki includes various activities and experiences in their itineraries, ensuring a diverse and memorable travel experience.

Considerations for Contiki Tours

While Contiki tours offer many advantages, there are also some factors to consider before deciding if they are worth it for you:

• Group Dynamic: Traveling in a group may not appeal to everyone, as you’ll have less control over the itinerary and activities. It’s important to consider whether you prefer a more independent travel experience.
• Budget: Contiki tours come at a cost, and it’s essential to assess whether the price aligns with your travel budget. Compare the tour prices with the cost of planning a similar trip independently.
• Flexibility: Contiki tours have set itineraries, which means limited flexibility. If you prefer to have the freedom to explore at your own pace and choose your activities, a Contiki tour may not be the best fit.
• Personal Interests: Contiki tours cater to a wide range of interests, but it’s crucial to review the itineraries and ensure they align with your preferences. Consider the activities included and the destinations visited.

Reviews and Opinions from Reddit

When considering whether Contiki tours are worth it, it is helpful to check out reviews and opinions from fellow travelers. Reddit is a popular online platform where people share their travel experiences, including their thoughts on Contiki tours.

Positive Experiences

Some Reddit users have had highly positive experiences with Contiki tours, citing the following reasons:

• Opportunity to make lifelong friends with travelers from around the world.
• Well-organized itineraries that cover a lot of ground and provide a taste of each destination.
• Knowledgeable guides who go above and beyond to ensure a great travel experience.

Negative Experiences

On the other hand, some Reddit users have shared negative experiences and reasons why they felt Contiki tours may not be worth it. Common complaints include:

• Limited free time and rushed schedules, leaving little room for personal exploration.
• Large group sizes, making it challenging for everyone to bond and connect.
• Unpredictable group dynamics that can impact the overall experience.

It’s essential to read different perspectives and weigh the pros and cons shared on Reddit before making a decision.

Making Your Decision

In the end, whether Contiki tours are worth it depends on your personal preferences and travel goals. Consider the following factors when making your decision:

• Travel Style: Do you prefer organized group travel or enjoy more free-spirited exploration?
• Social Experience: Are you excited about the prospect of bonding with fellow travelers?
• Budget: Can you comfortably afford the cost of a Contiki tour without compromising other aspects of your travel?
• Destination: Are the destinations included in the Contiki tour of interest to you?

By carefully considering these factors and doing thorough research, you can make an informed decision about whether Contiki tours are worth it for you.

Remember, the key is to choose a travel style that aligns with your preferences and offers the experiences you desire. Whether you opt for a Contiki tour or plan an independent trip, what matters most is creating unforgettable travel memories.

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Honest + Complete Contiki Ireland Tour Review

Wondering whether the it’s worth it to do a Contiki tour in Ireland? This Contiki Ireland review has all the information you need to decide.

The Contiki Ireland tour is the first Contiki trip I ever did, now with a few more Contiki (and Top Deck and G Adventures) tours under my belt, I thought I’d share my thoughts on the Contiki Ireland Tour.

If you’re thinking of booking an Ireland tour, or a Contiki anywhere, this Contiki Ireland review has all the details to help you decide. If you’ve already done all your homework on the tour (shout out to the other over planners) just scroll to the bottom for my verdict.

This post is based on my experience of the Contiki Ireland tour, but the pros/cons are also relevant to the very similar tour that Top Deck runs in Ireland. I’ve been on tours with both companies in the past and they are super comparable.

Full disclosure, I personally went on the Contiki Ireland tour and paid for it myself in full. All views are my own. I have included affiliate links so that if, after reading the review you want to book a tour, you have the option to support the blog while doing so.

What is Contiki?

Contiki is a tour company that runs tours specifically for 18-35 year old’s. Most of the tours, including the Contiki Ireland, are on big 50-seater buses but they do run some boat-based and single-city tours.

Contiki runs tours in English and the groups are mostly made up of Australians, Kiwis and Americans. The trip style is very fast-paced, expect to see lots of places in a short space of time (more on that later).

Contiki operates tours all over the world, but their most popular trips are in Europe, including the Ireland trip.

What tours does Contiki do in Ireland?

Contiki runs three tours in Ireland (at the time of writing), the main Ireland tour (which I did), the Ireland Reunion tour for 35-45s and the St Patricks Day short break.

The website shows a few more like a Scotland-Ireland option and an England-Ireland option, these are actually just add-ons to the main Ireland tour where you do the England/Scotland tour then ferry/fly to Ireland to join the group doing the 8-day Ireland section.

Where does the Contiki Ireland tour go?

The Contiki Ireland tour is advertised as 8 days but it’s more like 6 because you only join the group on the evening of Day 1 and Day 8 is really just a departure day.

This means that if you were pressed for time, you could safely plan to fly in on the morning of Day 1 and fly out first thing on Day 8. I would 100% recommend not doing that and leaving yourself some extra time in Dublin (see below).

Here’s the itinerary in brief, you can read the whole thing on the Contiki website: Day 1: Dublin (meet the group, have dinner, go out) Day 2: travel to Cork via Kilkenny Day 3: travel to Galway from Cork via Blarney and the Cliffs of Moher Day 4: full day in Galway (this day has the only real free time) Day 5:travel to Derry/Londonderry from Galway Day 6:travel to Belfast from Derry/Londonderry via Giant’s Causeway Day 7:travel back to Dublin from Belfast Day 8: eat breakfast and fly out

I did all the inclusions and ‘free time add-ons’ (optional activities) and would recommend that.

To be honest many of the add-ons are really core tour activities ie the drawcards that make you want to book the trip in the first place and our whole group did them so they were less of an optional thing and more just planned tour activities that we had to pay for.

Definitely factor the add-ons into your budget as it could be quite awkward if you opted not to do those activities and you could be left sitting on the bus in some cases (like at the Jameson’s Distillery) because there is nothing else to do in the area.

Highlights of the Contiki Ireland tour

Before I jump into the pros/cons, it’s worth mentioning some of the amazing experiences on this trip. If I had to pick, my favourites were:

• the Derry/Londonderry walking tour that delved into the city’s divided history (my family is Irish and I still learned heaps)
• the night out in Galway at the pub that inspired Ed Sheeran’s Galway Girl
• exploring Blarney Castle

Should you add on extra time in Ireland?

I had 4 days in Dublin before the tour. This was a good length of time because there’s so much to see in Dublin and Contiki really only allows one day in the city.

But if I did it again, I would swap it around and book a few days in Dublin after the Contiki tour because there were a bunch of people from my tour who were staying on in Dublin (which is pretty common after Contiki tours) so I could easily have joined up with them for Dublin sightseeing rather than doing it on my own.

I had pre-researched the activities on the Contiki tour so made sure not to do any of those before the tour but as it turned out some of the Dublin parts of the tour got cancelled because of the weather so I wished I hadn’t waited.

Save yourself those regrets and just book your days after the tour, that way you know exactly what’s left on your bucket list to go see.

Check out my solo traveller’s guide to Dublin for some ideas of things to do in the city.

What I loved about the Contiki Ireland tour

The inclusions:.

Contiki has done a really good job squeezing all the top Ireland attractions into this tour. There are UNESCO world heritage sites, beer, whiskey, castles, movie locations and more.

If you made a list of the top Ireland bucket list things off the top of your head, they’d probably all be on the Contiki Ireland itinerary. This is consistent with their #noregrets motto. It means the tour is good value in terms of time and money in my opinion.

The convenience:

Contiki basically handles everything for you from accommodation to transport to food and activities. Not everything is included but you often end up doing it as a group anyway (like most dinners).

This is true of all Contiki tours and most tours generally, but it is a huge plus for first-time solo travellers (me when I went on the tour) or people who haven’t travelled internationally before.

The guides are used to dealing with newbie travellers so they offer help with all the basics you might need.

The timing:

I have opinions on the pace of this trip (see below) but with the 6 (full) day itinerary, it’s really well-timed for people (like me) who are full-time workers and want to get a good holiday in without burning all our annual leave (paid time off).

Lots of the tours on the market are in the 2+ week range that ends up being three weeks or more by the time you count add-on days and flight time so it’s really good to have an option that’s one week.

What I didn’t love about the Contiki Ireland tour

Contiki is fast-paced, like really fast-paced, sometimes you get into a city at night and leave early the next morning with no real-time to explore.

This happened on the Ireland tour in Cork. From the small bit I saw, Cork is a very pretty city but by the time we got there it was dark, and we basically just dropped bags and went to the pub with no time to see the local sights.

This can leave you feeling exhausted at the end and like you missed out on seeing some places properly.

The constant partying:

I think I drank every night on the Contiki Ireland tour. Obviously, this was my choice, and you don’t have to do that but it’s what nearly everyone on the tour did and what the tour is set up for.

This might be a plus for you depending on what you want to get out of your holiday and how extroverted you are but for me personally, it was a bit much and left me feeling like I needed another holiday afterwards to recover.

The lack of free time:

This is kind of the same point as the pace but is worth calling out so that you know what you’re in for. The Contiki Ireland tour is crammed full (which is good value) but if you want time to explore on your own then you’ll need to wait until after the tour.

This is not the case on all tours or even all Contikis in my experience as I’ve been on other trips that have lots more free time in the itinerary.

My verdict on the Contiki Ireland tour

The short version:.

This tour was perfect for me at the time, and I had a blast but if I was going to Ireland now I wouldn’t book it.

The long version:

When I did this tour, I had never solo travelled before, and I only had a short amount of time between finishing my summer internship and going back to university.

Because I wasn’t yet a confident solo traveller, I valued the security of the Contiki tour in terms of having everything planned and the one-week itinerary let me see all the main things I wanted to in the short time I had.

However, if I was going now, I wouldn’t do a tour at all partly because I now mostly travel with my partner and partly because I have the confidence to navigate most foreign cities and trains/buses on my own and prefer more flexibility. I also drink less now so the constant party vibe is less what I would go for.

I would love to hear your thoughts if you’ve been on a Contiki before or are considering it. Drop them in the comments below.

Happy travelling!

Europe Travel Resources

• Find the best prices on hotels with flexible cancellation at Booking.com
• Find awesome day tours on Get Your Guide
• Book train tickets and buy cheap multi-trip passes from Rail Europe
• Travel super cheaply across 28 countries with Flixbus
• Save on attractions with a city pass from Go City (including Amsterdam, Paris and Rome)
• Sort your Euros and other currencies with a Wise multi-currency card

Kate is the founder of Kate Abroad. She has travelled to nearly 40 countries from Austria to Vanuatu, and lived in 3. She's on a mission to empower other Gen Zs and Millenials travel affordably by sharing helpful travel guides, stories and tips to over 200,000 readers.

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Contiki Tours Europe: No regrets... except? [Latest Review]

Founded in 1962, Contiki is a renowned travel company providing organized tours for young travelers. This is our comprehensive review of their European tours!

If you are a solo traveler yet to get the hang of independent travel, hiring a tour operator is not a bad idea. You would feel more comfortable in a foreign country where the language used, transportation options, and safety concerns are different. In our previous article, we reviewed EF Ultimate Break , a tour operator for the youth. 

But, if you need an alternative that offers a wide range of trips or feel left out because you are just a few years older, Contiki can still help you feel young! It is more popular, especially for covering a lot of destinations in a short period. But is it necessarily better? Don’t rest your case until you read our review! 

Below, we have covered important aspects of Contiki, mainly focusing on its Europe tours. 

What is Contiki?

Founded in 1962, Contiki is a renowned travel company providing organized tours for young travelers. At present they offer over 300 trips to more than 50 countries around the globe. Contiki aims to “bring travelers together to discover the world” and provide them with localized, unique, and adventurous experiences. It is an ideal choice for first-timers, solo travelers, and anyone who likes their travel arrangements to be done by an experienced and reliable third party. It’s also noteworthy to mention that Contiki supports sustainable travel in different ways with the help of their TreadRight Foundation.  

Can you go on Contiki if you are over 35?

Unfortunately no. Contiki only accommodates travelers aged 18-35 years for their trips. Even their tours primarily cater to the young crowd with more emphasis on partying, nightlife, and socializing. That said, assuming you're under 35, when you think about it, the age limit is actually useful. You know what to expect, feel more included, and have a higher chance of getting along with your fellow group members. If you were really keen on going and you're over 35, don't fret! Contiki's parent company owns other tour brands for those over 35 that are likely to be more your style anyway.

What are the features of Contiki?

• Organized group tours: You will be traveling with a group of nearly 50 people! 
• Tour manager: There’s a tour manager appointed to oversee all the important aspects of the tour. There would also be local tour guides to guide you. 
• Accommodation: Depending on the budget and tour type, accommodation can range from budget-hostels to 3-star hotels to campsites. 
• Transportation: The cost of internal transport is borne by Contiki. You have to book flights and take care of travel insurance.
• Meals: Your breakfast is covered by Contiki throughout the trip along with a few other meals. For the rest, you can try out places you like or go along with Contiki recommendations.
• No Regrets Inclusions: These are activities that Contiki deems as mandatory or one-in-a-lifetime experiences. They are included in the tour cost.
• Free-Time Add-Ons: Contiki also provides activities that you can include in the tour at an added cost.

How does Contiki work?

What you have to do is relatively simple. Browse through their long list of trips for destinations around the world and pick one that speaks to your taste! Book a spot by making the payment, and the Contiki team will handle the rest for you. All you have to do afterward is get prepared for the journey!

Which Contiki Europe tour is the best?

Circling Europe is every traveler’s dream because there’s so much diversity to experience. But handling all the travel arrangements as you move from one country to another can be a daunting task. Contiki does an excellent job in helping you with it. 

The best Contiki Europe tour is subjective as it depends on what you wish to see and explore. We have highlighted the most popular Contiki tours Europe so you can pick one for your liking.

If you need a tour that covers a single destination in detail, you may want to consider Contiki Greek Island Hopping, Simply Italy, Spanish Spree, and Contiki Ireland. If you like to cover Europe as much as possible, go for its multi-destination tours like Europe in One Week, Adriatic Unearthed, European Discovery, European Magic, and European Highlights. 

How much is a Europe Contiki Trip?

The cost depends on the number of destinations covered, trip style, and trip length. On average, Contiki tours Europe can cost from $300-$9000. For an example, exploring London for 3 days will cost you $290 while the European Explorer tour that goes for over a month will cost you around $8000. But, remember that you have to allocate more for flight tickets, visa, travel insurance, additional excursions, meals, and of course, tipping. 

What we like about Contiki?

So many tour choices.

Contiki offers enough choices to overwhelm you – literally! So, there’s a high chance you will be able to find the exact trip you are looking for. They cover almost all the destinations, and their tours are categorized under different themes to suit every traveler’s style. Whether you are looking for budgeted-vacations, week-long trips, or months-long adventures, Contiki has got you covered.

Everything is planned

If you have little experience figuring out the logistics of travel or if you are heading to a remote destination where it’s difficult to get around alone, Contiki is a really good option. From lodging to transport to dining, the Contiki team will cover all the essentials for you. It’s very convenient and hassle-free.

New friends

Like its rival EF Ultimate Break, Contiki also offers the wonderful opportunity of getting to know travelers from around the world. You can mingle with like-minded people from different cultures and share your experiences. In fact, some have even ended up falling in love with a fellow traveler in their group!

Ample Flexibility

Unless you are informed about a schedule on the previous day, you have the freedom to explore and do your own thing, whether it's shopping, eating, or just relaxing.

Safety is a major concern for female solo travelers, especially beginners. Contiki ticks the safety box very well by selecting good places for accommodation, hiring reliable drivers, and keeping you informed about places you should avoid and places you should be cautious about.

What we don’t like about Contiki?

Too much partying.

Like we said earlier, Contiki has a party atmosphere and even hosts theme parties on its tours. Continuous partying and drunken nights might not appeal to everyone, especially travelers close to the upper age limit. So, we think you should give it some thought before selecting Contiki. 

Knowledgeable tour managers 

Your tour manager can significantly alter your travel experience. You could get someone well-informed about the places you visit, aspects you should be cautious about (culture, customs, etc.), and excursions worth taking. There’s also the chance of ending up with tour managers who schedule things based on their preferences or profit without focusing on travelers’ requirements. 

Pace of their trips

For some, Contiki tours Europe are a great option as its tours try to cover a lot of places within a limited timespan. But, for travelers who like to take their own time and enjoy exploring, this is not the case. If you are the latter, multi-destination Contiki tours might feel like a rat race for you. 

Cost of Excursions 

Contiki offers a host of No Regrets excursions that travelers can take part in. But, they are usually very expensive and can take a big chunk of your budget. 

Accommodation

Many travelers have complained of accommodation being located far from the city. Contiki does this in order to lower costs, which is fair considering that you don’t spend a lot of time at the hostels. The low quality of selected hotels/hostel was another factor we noticed in many Contiki tours Europe reviews.

Is Contiki good for singles?

Contiki is great for singles! It's an awesome way to make a whole bunch of friends really quickly. If you're looking to meet someone special be careful however as you have to spend the rest of the trip with them. It's not unlike how it was usually not the best idea to date people on your floor in college. That said, it's a great opportunity to get to know people and have a great time. You can always "cuddle up" near the end of the trip if that's what you're looking for. ;)

Don't just take our word for it, here's the honest review from someone who've been on a Contiki trip!

Is Contiki good for couples?

Most of the people who go on Contiki tours tend to be single, so it's not the best idea to go in a couple, unless both of you are really keen to be social and make friends. The risk of going in a couple is that you keep to yourself more. Single people gravitate towards other single people as well, so it's something to keep in mind. That said, it's still a great opportunity to meet some really cool people, and see how well you and your significant other travel together. Just be sure to go into it with the right mindset and you can still have a great time. That means not treating it like a romantic trip together, but rather an adventure to both meet some cool new people!

So, are Contiki Tours worth it?

We highly recommend Contiki for travelers who want to visit specific destinations but unsure of what they want to see.

It’s also great if you are really nervous about traveling for the first time. However, some of us like to challenge ourselves by journeying on our own. We like doing the legwork, exploring options, and being excited about the itinerary we create!

Speaking of creating amazing itineraries with friends, have you heard of Pilot?

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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Contiki: The Pros And Cons (As Told By People Who Have Traveled With Them)

Not every Contiki tour is the same, but many people who book tours with this company notice similar advantages and disadvantages.

Thinking about traveling with Contiki? Many young travelers choose Contiki as their go-to company when it comes to group travel. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of going on Contiki based on the reviews of those who have traveled with them.

The Pros Of Going On A Contiki

The company’s downsides.

Contiki is a great choice for many, but it’s not perfect. Riley’s Roves reveals that there were a few downsides on her trip (even though she doesn’t regret booking with Contiki at all).

While the time factor is an advantage for some, it’s a downside for others. Contiki shows you a lot in a short amount of time, but often that means you don’t get to spend enough time exploring places that really interest you.

Contiki has a reputation for hosting tours with a party atmosphere, which Riley confirms. This is appealing for some, but not for those who prefer to turn in early rather than spend every night out drinking. To be clear, your Contiki guide won’t force you to go out at night if you don’t want to, but the group may put pressure on you. Ultimately, this depends on the group of people you happen to get on your tour. Different tours and locations tend to attract different crowds and age groups, which is something to be mindful of.

Not everything is covered on Contiki and there are hidden costs. The company offers additional excursions and experiences that you have to pay extra for. Free Wi-Fi is also advertised but this only applies to a very small amount of data, so you might end up paying more for internet access.

Riley also believes that the included meals were of extremely low quality and she would have preferred to pay more and actually enjoy her food.

Is Contiki The Right Choice For You?

APRIL SALE:   Discover and book at   up to 60% off!

Japan Unrivalled (13 Days)

• Fully Guided

Places You’ll See

• Introduction
• Day 1 Start Tokyo
• Day 2 Tokyo
• Day 3 Tokyo
• Day 4 Tokyo to Isawa via Hakone
• Day 5 Isawa to Takayama
• Day 6 Takayama
• Day 7 Takayama to Hiroshima
• Day 8 Hiroshima
• Day 9 Hiroshima to Kyoto
• Day 10 Kyoto
• Day 11 Kyoto to Mount Koya
• Day 12 Mount Koya to Osaka
• Day 13 End Osaka

Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Operated by contiki.

Contiki has been running tours for over 50 years, all exclusively for travellers aged 18-35 years old. Their mission is to bring young travellers together to see the world, focusing on unforgettable experiences and lifelong memories. Contiki believes in real travel experiences, and they care about making sure these experiences contribute positively to the people and places they visit. Every Contiki trip makes travel easier and more social by organizing accommodation, food, experiences and transport, so you can relax and focus on exploring the world with young travellers just like you.

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Customer Reviews

• Tour Operator Contiki 4.7
• Most Recent
• Most Popular
• Highest First
• Lowest First

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• August 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025
• Saturday 27 Apr, 2024 Thursday 9 May, 2024 English Sold Out Based on Triple £3,542 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Saturday 11 May, 2024 Thursday 23 May, 2024 English Sold Out Based on Triple £3,399 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• 1 Other Unavailable Departure
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 25 May, 2024 Thursday 6 Jun, 2024 English Multiple Room Types £3,399 Confirm Dates
• Saturday 8 Jun, 2024 Thursday 20 Jun, 2024 English Almost Sold Out Multiple Room Types £3,399 Confirm Dates
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 22 Jun, 2024 Thursday 4 Jul, 2024 English Multiple Room Types £3,399 Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 6 Jul, 2024 Thursday 18 Jul, 2024 English Multiple Room Types £3,399 Only Pay £100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 20 Jul, 2024 Thursday 1 Aug, 2024 English Multiple Room Types £3,245 Only Pay £100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 3 Aug, 2024 Thursday 15 Aug, 2024 English Multiple Room Types £3,220 £2,898 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay £100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 17 Aug, 2024 Thursday 29 Aug, 2024 English Multiple Room Types £3,220 £2,898 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay £100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 31 Aug, 2024 Thursday 12 Sep, 2024 English Multiple Room Types £3,090 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay £100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h

Frequently Asked Questions

We are there for you! If you have any questions about this tour, then please don't hesitate to contact us 24/7 and we will get back to you latest within 2 hours!

Got a question about this tour?

Reach out to our travel experts.

Good to Know

• Currency ¥ Yen Japan

As a traveller from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types A, B.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Japan. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Japan. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for Japan. Ideally 1 month before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before June 26th, 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after June 26th, 2024, a minimum payment of £100 is required to confirm your booking with Contiki. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
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10 Things To Know Before Booking Your First Contiki Trip

So you’re looking to book your first Contiki trip – Congrats!!! I’ve been on a few and love each one more than the last! But, that doesn’t mean Contiki is for everyone. Here, I’ll also discuss some things you should know before booking your trip!

What Is Contiki?

First off, let’s start with the basics – what is Contiki?

Contiki is a Travel Tour Company for 18-35 year olds. They offer over 350+ trips around the world and take care of planning everything for you! Travel Tour Groups are typically between 20-40 people from all over the world. Each trip has a Tour Manager to oversee transportation, room accommodations, and more. It takes all the stress out of planning a trip because everything is taken care of for you!

Top 10 Things You Need to Know Before Your First Contiki Trip

1. there are a handful of (optional) add ons.

Contiki’s tag line is “Travel with No Regrets” which you will quickly realize is so true. Contiki includes a lot in the tour package price (typically all breakfasts, some added meals, most activities, etc). However, there are a handful of additional activities called “Free Time Add Ons” available to purchase.

You’ll learn more about the Add Ons for your trip on the first day. Your guide will tell you all about them, the costs, and when it’s offered. Typically, they will require you to pay right then for any/all of the additional add on you want to do. From my experience, you always have to pay in cash. The number of add ons will depend on your trip. For instance, when I went to Thailand there were about 4 add ons but when I went to Ecuador there were over 10 add on experiences!

2. Contiki Has a Party Reputation (BUT..!)

There is no secret Contiki has a party reputation. It’s known for combining cultural travel experiences with copious partying and drinking, especially in Europe. That can be fun, if you’re into that.

But, if you’re not into the EXCESSIVE partying, don’t fret. There are ways to avoid it. First of all, don’t book over the summer months. This is typically when the younger crowd (18-22) travels over their summer break and parties. Also, Europe tends to have the biggest party trips, so maybe avoid the European tours if you’re looking for something more relaxed.

Personally, I love to drink and have a good time (hello, I go to Vegas every year), but prefer to avoid the party scene on Contiki trips. Don’t get me wrong – I still drink and have a good time, I just don’t wake up daily with a hangover.

3. You’ll Spend a Lot of Time On The Bus

Did you find an itinerary you love on Contiki’s website and say to yourself “ wow, I can see XX amount of cities in XX number of days?! ” – yeah, you can because Contiki packs your schedule in tight! This often means early mornings (5AM) and long hours on a bus to get to the next destination. Some trips are better than others, but definitely something to google before booking a trip (estimated distance between the two cities). While this isn’t a deal breaker for me, I prefer to know how much time I’ll have in the bus so I can prepare activities to do to keep me sane. The long hours on the bus definitely shocked me on my first Contiki trip and I wish I had been more prepared.

4. Bring Portable Chargers

You are bound to have jam packed schedules each and every day of your trip. Whether that’s driving on a bus for hours, touring a new destination, or participating in activities, you will find yourself away from the hotel for the majority of the day. If you’re like me, you use your phone for pictures, calls, texting, GPS, etc… so it dies quickly! Be sure to bring a portable charger so you’ll always have access to your phone!

5. Bring Extra Cash for Tips

Not only do you need extra cash to pay for your “Free Time Add Ons” (if you want to partake in those), you’ll also need cash to tip your tour guide and your bus driver! Contiki recommends $3 per day per person. Tipping is up to your discretion.

6. Some Hostels are Bare Bones

I found this out the hard way. I typically don’t stay in hostels when I travel so Contiki was a bit of a shock for me! Most of the accommodations are great – but they don’t always have all of the necessities. For instance, I have been in Contiki hotels that have no hair dryer, no shampoo, no AC, etc. I don’t typically travel with a hair dryer but now on Contiki’s I do. The trip is so fast paced that you don’t have time to sit around and let your hair dry.

7. People Travel Solo, with Friends, and with Significant Others

You’ll see many different types of people on your Contiki trip from all around the world. Some opt to travel solo while others come with a few friends or their significant other. Either way, you will all have something in common – excitement to see the world with new friends.

8. Tours are Fast Paced

I’ve mentioned it in some of the other bullet points, but almost all Contiki tours are go-go-go. You’ll find yourself in a new city in the blink of an eye. It’s great for making the most of your time off, but it’s important to take care of yourself. People can easily become exhausted half way through the trip from lack of sleep, lack of hydration, or just general fatigue. Combat that with copious amounts of water, sleeping/napping when you can, and not going too hard every night.

9. Contiki Cough Is Real

Unfortunately, you’re likely to get a small cold when traveling with Contiki . This is bound to happen with any group tour as people are all close together throughout the day. Plan accordingly and bring your favorite cold medicine from home so you can try to fight it off early.

10. You’ll Make Life Long Friends

Believe me when I say, there is nothing that bonds people together better than travel and experiencing new things. I have made some amazing friends on my Contiki trips that I keep in touch with years later! We still have a group chat and touch base with everyone from time to time!

So, what do you think?! Are you ready to book your first Contiki trip?! Save this post for later on Pinterest: https://pin.it/2s0KVW1

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Greek Island Hopping

This trip not available.

• Visit Mykonos town & see the traditional Cycladic-style houses
• See the famous windmills
• Visit Paradise Beach

What's this trip about?

Destinations, attractions, popular trips.

Mainland Greece Discovery

Cycling in Greece

Sailing Greece - Mykonos to Santorini

Mainland Greece and Islands

Athens, Santorini & Milos

Good morning island lovers! Welcome to Greece, and welcome to the best holiday of your life. Yep, big call on day 1 but we're making it! The day is yours to settle in to our hotel & start getting to know the city. Later, we'll join forces as a group & start firing up the fun over dinner.

Yes, yes, you're hearing the call of cocktails on Mykonos Island. But let's get acquainted with Athens for a day before we set sail. This city is a time capsule of life on earth. We'll give you the chance to do an Athens' Past & Present Tour including the iconic Acropolis and Olympic Stadium, and enjoy a traditional Athens affair in the eve via the famous Plaka area of the city.

See, just like we told you. Our time in Athens was amazing and well worth delaying our island time for. But delay it further? We shall not... Let's do this! 3 nights on the island of Mykonos, how did we get so lucky? Even the boat ride across the Aegean will have you awe struck and in love.

Here we are on yet another day when it feels completely fabulous to be alive. You're still in Mykonos baby! And the day is yours to soak up sunshine and play in the sea.

Windmills; cafes overflowing with olives, feta and tzatziki; storybook streets - and that's before you've even taken a dip in the ocean! Explore with the crew, take up a few optionals, or simply waste the day away as you please.

Rise and shine, Greek Island travellers! The island of Santorini will not explore itself. Take a swim at Perissa Beach, eat the local specialty of fried tomato balls known as domatokeftedes, and roam the streets of Fira. Just remember to plan your day around the excursion to the iconic sunset of Oia - this is not an optional you're going to want to miss.

The beautiful thing about having two full days on the one island is you have time to both relax and explore. Whatever you didn't do yesterday is still up for grabs today. If you feel like you've crammed it all in already, just head to the black or red sand beaches and spend another glorious day ocean-side. Ain't life grand?

Say your so longs to Santorini this morning. We have one last Greek Island to hop to, and we promise she's magnificent. A bit more rugged and remote than Santorini and Mykonos, Ios will prove a nice change of scenery. But thankfully, there will be no change in the hours spent ocean side and good times had.

Another day, another chance to soak up the Greek sun and frolic in the sand without a care in the world. Get some adrenalin in with some watersports, or if you haven't done so already, go explore the pretty town and down a hearty meal at a local cafe. You're going to need the fuel if you want to hang out in the party scene of Hora until the break of dawn.

Don’t underestimate the power of this village. When the sun sets, this place really comes to life. As such, we suggest a day out on the water getting salty on a boat trip, or a full day of pool hangs and beach time so you're all sun-kissed and feeling floaty by the time the night rolls in.

While choking back the tears and waving miserably at the dreamy islands of Greece, try to think positive thoughts: we have a boat ride to enjoy this morning, as well as one more night together in the city of Athens. One last dose of Athens and one last chance to hang out together as the Greece loving squad that we are.

Hugs, tears, and a final batch of reminiscing; it's astounding how close a group can get in just two short weeks. Nothing says bonding quite like the good life. The Croatia Island Hopper is probably the only way to really ease the pain of this goodbye. #NOREGRETS

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:.

• You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
• Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Contiki .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour operator.

We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.

No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.

We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.

With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.

About the company: Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?

Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.

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• Greek food is as nourishing as it is delicious - expect salads crumbled with feta, seafood fresh from the net and hearty meals like moussaka. As well as breakfast every day, you'll be fed to 4 dinners.

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The most gorgeous hidden gems in Puglia

By Shelby Baile

Just another Aussie in London, Shelby works at the Contiki Travel Hub and splits her time between becoming an expert in all things London, chasing new experiences, and exploring European cities.

Published on Apr 22, 2024

It’s that time of year when the sights and sounds of Italy start to call your name. But what will it be… the iconic canals of Venice , the ancient architecture of Rome , or the volcanic beaches of Sorrento? These are all great options, however, if you’re looking for something a little less busy, maybe a little bit off the beaten track, Puglia might just be the spot for you.

Pronounced Pool-ee-uh, Puglia is one of the most southern regions in Italy and forms the heel of Italy’s boot. It sits on both the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas and boasts dramatic, rocky coastlines and beautiful beaches. Like most of the regions in Italy, Puglia is unique in its architecture and its rich history and legends, with a Greek and Mediterranean influence that can be seen in its whitewashed buildings and beachside towns.  

The people of Puglia are also unlike the locals you will meet in the larger, more touristy cities. It’s true what they say, everything moves slower in southern Italy. Afternoon siestas are the norm and English is not as widely spoken as in the North. But there are some big pluses to visiting Puglia – the food is truly authentic, the people are friendly, and best of all, it’s much cheaper than visiting Italy’s more touristy areas. 

This really is one of Italy’s most underrated regions to visit, which is why below we’ve listed some of the best hidden gems in Puglia.

Simply Italy

1. Monopoli

Monopoli, which means ‘Unique City’ in Greek, is a coastal town with a rich history dating all the way back to 500BC. Having changed hands several times throughout its existence, Monopoli has an ‘old Italy’ charm with its rabbit warren of whitewashed buildings and historic port of iconic blue and red fishing boats. 

Monopoli is a quintessential Puglia beach town, with several great swimming spots, such as the turquoise waters of Spiaggia di Porto Ghiacciolo beach, a 16th century castello keeping watch over the water, and a historic old town seemingly full of secrets.

There’s much to see in the old town, none more impressive than the Basilica of the Madonna della Madia. Legend has it that during the construction of this church in 1117, the builders ran out of materials to finish the roof, that is until one night an icon of the Madonna Della Madia (the Virgin Mother) drifted into the port. It was declared a miracle and the very beams that held the icon were later used to complete the Basilica’s roof. The Madonna Della Madia was later made the patron saint of Monopoli and a feast and reenactment is still reenacted twice a year to celebrate the occasion. 

Monopoli has a number of great spots for a meal and it’s well worth wandering the old town to try the local eateries and many gelato shops. If you need a break from exploring the whitewashed, cacti-lined streets you might also consider popping into the Tuttoapposto Winebar, a quaint bar with a cute picture window overlooking the old port and limestone city walls. Alternatively you could head to Atipico to grab a takeaway cocktail from their streetside window before wandering down towards the water to watch the sunset.

Monopoli is a real hidden gem in Puglia and hasn’t made its way onto too many tourists’ radars yet, so if you want to beat the crowds, now’s the time to visit. 

Image source: Shelby Baile

2. Tremeti Islands

Only 22 km offshore in the north of the region sits another of the hidden gems in Puglia, the Tremeti Islands. 

Most commonly called the Italian pearls of the Adriatic, the Tremeti Islands are known for inspiring both a sense of relaxation and intrigue. There are five islands in total but only two of them are inhabited all of the time. San Nicola is the smaller of the two and is most commonly referred to as an open air museum, with a 9th century fortified abbey built by monks that you can explore. The other inhabited island, San Domino is much larger and covered in lush pine forests. It also boasts the only sand beach on the islands and is the perfect location for a relaxing day swimming in the clear turquoise waters. 

The Tremeti Islands are the perfect place to let your inner explorer out, and if you’re feeling adventurous, it is the ideal spot to book a boat tour of the archipelago, or go diving in the nearby marine reserve.

10 of the prettiest Amalfi Coast towns

3. polignano a mare.

Legends says that one day a piece of Greece broke off and drifted along to merge with the Apulian coastline, and that piece of land is where the city of Polgnano a Mare now sits. Scholars however, will tell you that the city was first settled around the 4th century BC by either Emperor Dionysus the second or Julius Caesar, and was originally the site of the ancient city of Neapolis. 

A small but spectacular town, Polignano a Mare is truly one of the hidden gems in Puglia worth visiting. Perched on limestone cliffs and dotted with sea caves, looking around you might truly believe that you’re on an island in Greece. This is the perfect place to spend the day exploring the town, swimming at the beach, and eating local seafood and pasta. This is one of the busier towns in Puglia, thanks to its famous beach, Lama Monachile – a small pebble beach, protected on both sides by limestone cliffs, this is a picture perfect spot and a good place for a quick dip in the ocean. 

You can’t really go wrong when it comes to food in Italy and the restaurants along Piazza Giuseppe Verdi are a good place to take a break and escape the crowds. One great restaurant I’d recommend, dedicated to serving locally sourced ingredients and dishes that go back generations is Casa Mia & Pic-Nic. This small trattoria serves delicious Apulian pizzas and pastas – and aperol spritzes of course.  

Polignano a Mare is also home to the famous cave restaurant, Grotto Palazzese. Built in one of the sea caves below the town, the restaurant offers fine dining and a truly unique view of the water. This is truly a magical experience, but a meal here will set you back between 195 and 300 euros. 

Alternatively, and for just as unique a perspective, but at a much more affordable price, you can book a two hour speedboat tour of Polignano a Mare, where you can cruise along the coastline with views of the famous Lama Monachile Beach and can even enter the cave beneath Grotto Palazzese. This is your chance to spend a few hours boating around the many sea caves and swimming off the boat. 

4. Alberobello

Much of visiting Puglia is like taking a step back in time, and a great example of this is the small town and UNESCO world heritage site of Alberobello. This Puglian hidden gem is one of the best examples of a very special, traditional Puglian house – the Trullo.

The construction of Trulli dates back to prehistoric times, and Trulli are characterised by their domed or conical roofs built up of corbelled limestone slabs. Many of the Trulli of Alberobello also feature painted symbols – a mixture of Christian, Pagan, and Magic symbols which are meant to ward off demons and bring good luck – an addition that adds to their magical appeal. Trulli were originally of a mortar/cement-free drystone construction and were used in the 1500s as a novel attempt to avoid paying higher taxes to the King, where in the event of a royal inspection the houses could be easily disassembled and hidden.

Trulli can be found clustered along the narrow and winding streets of this curious town, and it is well worth your time to stop in to learn more about this unique part of Puglia’s history. And if simply seeing the trulli isn’t enough for you, you can also book to stay in your very own authentic trulli for a night.   

Alberobello knows its tourist appeal, and many of the trulli have become boutique hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops where you can purchase your own model trulli, and even a traditional good luck cornicello (Italian Horn) to take home. 

Pro tip – cornicello should only ever be bought as a gift as buying one for yourself will bring you bad luck, not good.

10 hidden gems in Venice, Italy to discover on your next trip

The capital of Puglia, Bari has more of a city vibe than most of the other locations on this list, but it’s not without its charms. Dating back to Greek and Roman times, Bari old town is a winding maze of tightly packed buildings, impassable by cars, and just waiting to be explored. 

On the edge of the old town you will find the Museo Archeologico di Santa Scolastica, a true hidden gem for not only history lovers but for anyone wanting to learn a little bit more about the region. Originally a Benedictine monastery, the old building has been refurbished and is now an impressive museum showcasing unearthed 11th century ruins and the rich history of Bari. 

Another place worth visiting is the Castello Svevo di Bari. The imposing fortress sits near the historic town centre, and with its towering yellow walls it’s one of the most eye-catching monuments in the city. Now a museum and exhibition site, a visit to the Castello is a great way to spend an afternoon. 

Puglia is also known for its rich food culture, and for its ‘Cucina Povera’, which translated means ‘Kitchen of the poor’ – a simple but delicious cuisine which only uses seasonal and local Apulian ingredients. You can’t leave Puglia without trying the traditional pasta of the region, and Bari is the perfect city for it. Orecchiette, which translates to ‘little ears’, is used in many traditional dishes. Seafood and pasta make up a large portion of Bari cuisine, and it’s worth trying Puglia’s most iconic dish, Orecchiette Con le Cime di Rapa while you’re here. 

If you’re a seafood lover, you’ll want to head to the old port between the San Nicola and San Antonio piers. Here you can find local fish markets, where the fishermen are ready to serve their incredibly fresh seafood catch right off the boats. 

Bari is also home to the Pasta Nonnas, and from 10am every day you can find local Bari women set up along Bari Vecchia, hard at work making and selling fresh orecchiette pasta in front of their houses. A stroll down Bari Vecchia is a must for anyone visiting Bari, and is an excellent way to gain a better understanding of how traditional pasta is made, and to buy some fresh!

If you’re a fan of beautiful buildings, Lecce needs to be on your list of hidden gems in Puglia. Built from the pale yellow limestone they’re known for, Lecce is considered the Florence of the south and is renowned for its Baroque architecture and ancient roman amphitheatre, which was astoundingly built in the 2nd century CE.

While Lecce is fairly small, it’s definitely worth spending a day here exploring the heart of the old town and visiting the many churches and piazzas. You can also visit one of Lecce’s 21 museums, such as the Museo Faggiano, the only private museum with an archeological collection dating back over the past 2000 years.

And if you’re planning to spend a night or two, you can even join in on the Lecce tradition of an Evening Passeggiata, where everyone comes together along Via Vittorio Emanuele II for a social stroll before dinner.

15 best things to do in Italy for a culturally immersive experience

Not technically in Puglia but close enough to the border that it gets an honorary mention on this list, is the awe-inspiring city of Matera. The third oldest city in the world, and definitely the most magical place I have ever been, Matera is undoubtedly a bucket list location. The city has existed in some form or another for over 10 000 years, and the honeycomb of caves that make up the town was originally inhabited in the Paleolithic age, before the hills were further hollowed out to create the stone city that exists today.

Most tourists tend to visit Matera as part of a day trip, but I would highly recommend staying at least one night so that you can experience the incredible sunset as the stone city is slowly lit up. This is also a great opportunity to spend a night or two as an honorary troglodyte (cave dweller), and to explore the maze of streets at your own leisure.  

Matera offers no shortage of things to do. You can spend hours getting lost in the streets of the historic Sasso Caveoso, while looking for the right spot for that perfect photo. There are also a number of unique churches worth visiting such as the Church of Santa Lucia alle Malve, the Duomo Matera, and the rock church of Saint Mary of Idris. You can wander in and out of the small boutique shops, spend an afternoon in a cave spa like Aquatio, or hide out from the heat in one of the many restaurants. 

If you’re a bit of an adventurer, you may also enjoy hiking the canyon to visit the remains of Neolithic caves dating back 7000 years. It’s about a two hour round trip and as Matera can be incredibly hot and dry, so it’s best undertaken early in the morning before the sun reaches its peak. 

Any day can be improved with a visit to a rooftop bar, and this is particularly true in an amazing city like Matera. So don’t forget to schedule a stop at a terraced restaurant or bar such as the Quarry Lounge Terrace, where you can grab a cocktail, sit out on the balcony and enjoy the incredible view. 

Image source: Daniele Levis Pelusi / unsplash

A hidden gem for now, but not for long, Puglia is the perfect addition to any trip around Italy. With its rich history, mediterranean vibes, and fascinating towns, there’s no doubt that in a few years the region will be teeming with international visitors. So don’t hesitate, it’s time to get out of your comfort zone and start planning your Puglian trip today. 

While Contiki doesn’t go to Puglia just yet, our amazing Italian tours are a great introduction to all things Italy, and would make a great prelude to your Puglia trip. So if you’re looking for an Italian escape without the hassle of planning your own itinerary, head to our trips page, and learn more about how you can travel Italy with Contiki this summer! 

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'Worth all the wait': Casper Ruud secures biggest title of his career at Barcelona Open – video

Casper Ruud earned the 11th and biggest ATP Tour title of his career at the Barcelona Open as he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-3 to lift the trophy at the clay-court ATP 500. Ruud's victory comes only seven days after Tsitsipas prevailed in the pair’s championship-match meeting in Monte Carlo. Ruud delivered a classy all-round display to clinch his first ATP Tour title of the season. The third seed converted three of six break points he earned during the match.

Source: ATP Media

Sun 21 Apr 2024 21.15 BST

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Photos: uae sees its heaviest rains in 75 years.

Aya Batrawy

Atypically heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates on Monday and Tuesday caused flooding, flight cancellations and school closures. Vehicles were abandoned on highways like this one in Dubai. Francois Nel/Getty Images hide caption

Atypically heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates on Monday and Tuesday caused flooding, flight cancellations and school closures. Vehicles were abandoned on highways like this one in Dubai.

DUBAI — Schools and businesses have been closed across the United Arab Emirates after the country experienced about year's worth of rain in one day.

The flooding also disrupted travel at Dubai International Airport, which is the world's busiest for international travel.

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Videos posted online showed residents sweeping rainwater out of their homes and luxury cars stranded in Dubai's flooded streets, after a storm unleashed the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the country since the start of data collection 75 years ago. That was well before the country was founded.

Dubai's high-end stores weren't spared either, as rainwater gushed through the ceilings of shopping malls. At Dubai's main airport, the runway flooded and flagship carrier Emirates suspended all departing flights on Wednesday. The local Gulf News reported more than 1,200 flights were canceled due to Tuesday's storms. The airport is expected to return to fully operational by Friday.

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The city, known for its year-round sunny weather and beaches, saw sunshine later in the week, but schools remained remote due to road closures.

Despite some damage to cars, homes and roads, the UAE's state news agency says the rainfall boosts the country's groundwater reserves.

Rainfall in nearby Oman is blamed for more than 20 deaths this week, including 10 children swept away in a car on their way home from school Monday, according to state-owned media there.

A flooded parking lot in Dubai on Thursday. Francois Nel/Getty Images hide caption

Passengers queue at a flight connection desk at the Dubai International Airport on Wednesday. Dubai's main airport diverted scores of incoming flights on Tuesday as heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates, causing widespread flooding around the country. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

Cars drive in a flooded street following heavy rains in Dubai on Wednesday. Torrential rain caused floods across the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman. Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

A man walks along a road barrier on Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road amid floodwater caused by heavy rain, Thursday. Christopher Pike/AP hide caption

A tanker truck sits abandoned in floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world's busiest airfield for international travel. Jon Gambrell/AP hide caption

People wait for transportation on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai on Thursday. Christopher Pike/AP hide caption

Vehicles sit abandoned in floodwater covering a major road in Dubai on Wednesday. Jon Gambrell/AP hide caption

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