Work Hard, Travel Harder with Contiki

8 countries, 15 cities, epic nights, over my credit card limit, countless times we almost miss this bus, and the best travel partner in crime. This is what I call, the trip of a lifetime with Contiki Holidays.

"A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles"

And after almost 2 years, selling and promoting Contiki, I was able to finally experience the product that I fell in love with. -With this, I can confirm what employers in the Industry tend to say: "You bring the personality and we teach the skill"

I've personally traveled to different places before starting my career at Contiki. From solo-traveler, to group travels, family vacations, and voluntarism.

Each experience have been remarkable and have allowed me to grow this passion that I got for Travel.

However, this trip changed the way I think about traveling the world. And here is why I'd choose again to go on Contiki:

#1 THE AWESOME ITINERARY - YOU GET TO SEE AS MUCH

A Contiki is a whirlwind. You’ll see so much in a small amount of time. If you’re looking at checking off those bucket list experiences and sights. Promises of French cheese and wine at the Eiffel Tower is very easy to envision when stuck behind a computer screen at work or university. When reading the Contiki brochure you tend to forget about the travel time it takes to get to all these amazing places. Contiki allows the most amount of time possible in each place when factoring in how much country jumping you do! My best advice is pick one thing to do when in that destination, and consider anything else a bonus. You’ll be surprised how quickly time will fly – so make sure you’re clear on what you want to do before arriving!

#2 YOU GET TO SEE SO MUCH

A Contiki is a whirlwind. You’ll see so much in a small amount of time. If you’re looking at checking off those bucket list experiences and sights, a short Contiki is definitely for you. But if you like to see the culture and lifestyle of a city, aim to book a longer, more in-depth trip. I wanted to do both, so I decided to do a Contiki to start off and then spent extended times in cities which interested me the most. I feel this is the way to do it, as you still get to do so much without missing out on any in-depth exploring you crave.

#3 THE YUMMY FOOD

Breakfasts on Contiki aren’t full continental and there are no fancy buffet dinners, but that doesn’t mean it’s not awesome. Alongside the dinners that are included, you’re always taken to the best local places to eat, and there’s loads of opportunities to eat in cities and rest stops after breakfast. The restaurants and bars you go to are always the best of the best for food and vibe. Every time we were eating out, it was an incredible night filled with good food, people and loads of laughs. If you’re Vegetarian, Vegan or Gluten free – Contiki will make sure you’re fed, no matter what. I’ve heard horror stories from friends that couldn’t eat any of the food on their trips and had to find their own meals due to diet restrictions!

#4 YOU MAKE FRIENDS WITH PEOPLE YOU’D NEVER NORMALLY MEET

If there’s any reason you book a Contiki, it’s for the people you meet.

There’s something pretty special about travelling to the other side of the world and crossing paths with people you’d usually never ever socialise with. No matter how different you all may be, you all have this common love for travel, adventure and fun which brings you together to form one big family. It gives you this whole sense of confidence; the sense that if you can speak to a group of 50+ people, you can really do anything. You become so close to the people on your trip that it’s so sad when the trip comes to an end. You’re not just sad because it may be the end of your travelling, but sad to leave behind the people that you’ve travelled across a continent with and created life long memories with. I wanted to keep my cool, but I cried so much when my Contiki finished …. and I bet you will too!

SO…WHY CONTIKI?

Contiki is just something you do when you’re young. It’s the stories you tell your children and grandchildren about. It’s an escape from reality, a little world full of wonderful people and places. You’ll make memories and friendships that you will treasure forever. Whether you’re a travel guru or just testing the waters, there is definitely a trip for you.