View Full Version : 2012 europ contiki
James_2007
19-09-2011, 09:57 PM
doing a contiki next year in late July and most of august.
heading over a week early to do our own thing first.
we are staying at this place Royal National - Bedford Way, London WC1H 0DG
i was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what we could do around that area or not to far away.
cheers
Fryman
19-09-2011, 11:19 PM
hola muchachos
Contiki will put you up in Russell square standard spec contiki fitout. Comfortable and a roof over your head.
Russell square is central as fuck, and you can get anywhere in london on the tube with ease from there.
Given the time you have to plan, and how large london is, finding things "to do" shall not be an issue, and can be covered off closer to the time. ASK UNCLE GOOGLE if you are curious "things to do in london"
Failing that, can give you the standard tourist spec list.
RGVFAST
19-09-2011, 11:27 PM
Heads up that the hotel is on a flight path.
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=Royal+National+-+Bedford+Way,+London+WC1H+0DG&ll=51.523014,-0.126552&spn=0.001672,0.007328&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&fb=1&gl=au&cid=0,0,17899202450725175006&t=h&vpsrc=0&z=18&iwloc=A
Miggy
20-09-2011, 12:46 AM
The Royal National is more of a big hostel then a Hotel depending on what room you get most are 3-4 bedroom where you will stay with randoms if you haven't got mates to fill the room with. It's pretty central near most of the attractions just get on one of the red double decker bus's and go for a wonder. Europe has amazing public transport nothing like here so it's pretty much impossible to get lost.
Buckets
20-09-2011, 06:40 AM
doing a contiki next year in late July and most of august.
heading over a week early to do our own thing first.
we are staying at this place Royal National - Bedford Way, London WC1H 0DG
i was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what we could do around that area or not to far away.
cheers
That hotel is a fucking dump and is in a very shit part of London. Fork out a bit of extra cash and stay close to where all the good stuff is in Knightsbridge, Mayfair ect. There's a even reasonably priced hotels on Park Lane !
Lozzle
20-09-2011, 07:04 AM
I stayed at the Royal National earlier this year before and after my Euro Contiki. It's nothing special but the rooms we were in were clean and comfy.
Russell Square, as mentioned above, is a good area to base from - the tube gets you anywhere quickly and there's things to do and places to eat within walking distance.
FWIW, I didn't notice any planes going overhead and I'm a shit sleeper.
James_2007
20-09-2011, 11:13 AM
the missus chose that place because apparently that is where the contiki starts so it just saved time running around trying to get to the start spot.
Buckets
20-09-2011, 11:46 AM
the missus chose that place because apparently that is where the contiki starts so it just saved time running around trying to get to the start spot.
Yeh it's where they start & finish in London they have there base just around the corner from there. Personal preference for me was to enjoy the very best of London as I knew as soon as I got on the Confucki bus it would be budget spec tourist hotels n' shit so why not enjoy it.
Option 1
http://www.fairmont.com/savoy
Option 2
http://www.theritzlondon.com/ Stayed here last time (2010) for a week. Walking distance to everywhere (cool), literally just around the corner from Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus (nearest tube station), Regent St is awesome shopping (Savile Row is just behind Regent St... and there is an awesome pub that does a great feed at the end of Savile Row I think it's called The Windmill) Going to Harrod's is a nice walk thru all the posh parks.
PS. Be baller and get the Phantom to pick you up from Heathrow !
Yarms
20-09-2011, 12:48 PM
Which tour you doing mate. Me and my mrs are also heading over at about the same time.
Riggs
20-09-2011, 12:51 PM
Take lots of condoms.
[Jacek]
20-09-2011, 01:05 PM
Royal National aint that bad, but i would try to find somewhere better if I had the chance - getting to Russell square to meet up for contiki is easy anyway.
Flight path thing has zero relevance.
Avoid the "greek' restaurant across the road from the Royal National at all costs...possibly the worst food/service/venue we had in all of europe.
get yourself an oyster card and a map for the subway and you'll be set to go anywhere in london quickly
PS: http://www.dreamcarhire.com/pricing.html
James_2007
20-09-2011, 01:35 PM
cheers for all the tips greatly appreciated.
we are doing the european vista 21 days
Lozzle
20-09-2011, 01:36 PM
the missus chose that place because apparently that is where the contiki starts so it just saved time running around trying to get to the start spot.
Check the start time of your Contiki tour - we had to be ready with luggage at the crack of sparrows at the Royal so I was glad all I had to do was roll out of bed and clamber downstairs to meet the crew and bus. If I'd had to of travelled to the Royal that early in the morning it would've been painful.
Buckets
20-09-2011, 02:06 PM
;901365']PS: http://www.dreamcarhire.com/pricing.html
Don't rent a bloody car in London FFS, it's the most insane confusing place to drive around ever.
sethor
20-09-2011, 02:15 PM
Don't rent a bloody car in London FFS, it's the most insane confusing place to drive around ever.
London is easy to drive in, try driving in Paris.
Buckets
20-09-2011, 02:21 PM
Paris is easy, just don't give a fuck. :p
Riggs
20-09-2011, 02:25 PM
Paris was a dream compared to Milan. Arc De Trieomphe is interesting though.
[Jacek]
20-09-2011, 04:18 PM
lol, try Poland. What rules?
James_2007
26-09-2011, 06:45 PM
it starts on the 21st of july and ends on the 11th i think
RED3VIL
28-09-2011, 10:38 AM
You get what you paid for, the rooms are clean etc but nothing special, budget accomodation
There is the site seeing bus just round the corner which you can get on and off as much as you like across the day once you have bought a day pass, 22 pound from memory (dont quote me, it was about 3 years when i went) - it will cover all the tourist spot you need.
The tube station is within walking distance too
Can I bump this -
Has anyone done these tours - Im guessing a few will have. What are they like? I dont mind not being in 5 star accom, but do they just rush you so much that you dont see anything? Id probably do a 2 weekish one, then spend an extra week after visiting mother Serrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrbia.
Considering doing one mid next year.
Kaido
14-11-2011, 01:14 PM
Paris was a dream compared to Milan. Arc De Trieomphe is interesting though.
your joking right Milan is fucking awesome!
Can I bump this -
Has anyone done these tours - Im guessing a few will have. What are they like? I dont mind not being in 5 star accom, but do they just rush you so much that you dont see anything? Id probably do a 2 weekish one, then spend an extra week after visiting mother Serrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrbia.
Considering doing one mid next year.
Remember to use a condom, dont want a burning dick. Those bitches on contiki be crazy.
Adr3naL1N
14-11-2011, 01:50 PM
Can I bump this -
Has anyone done these tours - Im guessing a few will have. What are they like? I dont mind not being in 5 star accom, but do they just rush you so much that you dont see anything? Id probably do a 2 weekish one, then spend an extra week after visiting mother Serrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrbia.
Considering doing one mid next year.
I did a 12 day one, i do NOT reccomend this, its very rushed and you see fuck all, need to do at LEAST a 20 day one, then you get 2-3 days in each place
for example we did about 9 cities in 12 days, your out all night and up super early so after a while your quite knackered! Alot of places we got one night in and we would rock up at 6-7pm and have to leave at 7am the next morning, happened for switzerland, austria, holland and a few others. If you do a longer one you usually get 2-3 days or more so you can actually go see shit. I needed a holiday from a holiday after getting back. Booze everynight partying plus early mornings does not work!!
ps tj let me know what you doing, looking at possibly going europe doing all the places i missed next year round august (greek islands, spain, portugal, eastern europe) need people to meet up with!
RGVFAST
14-11-2011, 02:02 PM
Tj hit up Hako or Pick-me (ben), they are hittin europe around the same time next year.
I dunno if I could trust Kim if we were alone together.
Tre-Cool
14-11-2011, 02:17 PM
a euro trip next year could be interesting with the way things are going financially over there....
could buy yourself a wife or be kidnapped for ransom... lol
Can buy a wife online I hear
Tre-Cool
14-11-2011, 02:23 PM
true, but always better to get a close up inspection before buying goods.
James_2007
14-11-2011, 02:46 PM
when i get home i will get the travel info thingy of all the days and places to give u an idea of how long u are in the places
James_2007
14-11-2011, 02:49 PM
this might help.
this is the one i am doing
http://contiki.com.au/destinations/europe/tours/124-european-vista
confuzion
14-11-2011, 03:08 PM
I booked my European Contrasts the other day too.. going June 17th 2012 for ~28 days and then continuing on through Bosnia & Montenengro to see the fam.. can't wait :D
Lozzle
14-11-2011, 04:21 PM
Can I bump this -
Has anyone done these tours - Im guessing a few will have. What are they like? I dont mind not being in 5 star accom, but do they just rush you so much that you dont see anything? Id probably do a 2 weekish one, then spend an extra week after visiting mother Serrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrbia.
Considering doing one mid next year.
I also did a shorter one, 14 days or something... Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, France... was go go go go, no breather. It was amazing, but I'd recommend planning something a little longer or with less countries.
Denver
14-11-2011, 05:58 PM
If TJ hits a contiki, im so going on the same one, It'll tip the odds in my favour, fuck yeah!
Id just tell pingpingpingpings you are my retarded young brother manchild
Denver
14-11-2011, 08:01 PM
The sympathy card works for me!
Haha, works both ways
"that huge fuck is my brother... awww you poor thing"
Fryman
14-11-2011, 10:24 PM
as the kids say, the longer the better.
Contiki, whilst I personally have no respect for it is a taste tester of europe. It gives you the opportunity to see some places on a whirlwind tour, and then gives you the taste of what you should spend more time at. The longer the better... if you can.
the alcoholtourism aspect along with all the pubs n shiz you stop at happen to be owned by the contiki peeps... that makes me angry. Its not authentic..
Definatly wets your whistle though...
Buckets
14-11-2011, 10:41 PM
as the kids say, the longer the better.
Contiki, whilst I personally have no respect for it is a taste tester of europe. It gives you the opportunity to see some places on a whirlwind tour, and then gives you the taste of what you should spend more time at. The longer the better... if you can.
the alcoholtourism aspect along with all the pubs n shiz you stop at happen to be owned by the contiki peeps... that makes me angry. Its not authentic..
Definatly wets your whistle though...
All very valid points but I'm a massive fan on the Contiki set up. It works bloody well. Yes it's flat out, yes it may as well be called a confucki, yes your liver will hate you but it's cheap, you know you have a bed and meals sorted, the guides are a huge help with the real random bits of Europe (like Italian motorway services which are the most stupid places on earth) When I got in a little bit of trouble over there with Mr PoPo they helped sort everything out and they did the same for people who got sick ect it was all just seamless. Yes the bus rolls up to touristy joints and yes you wind up going out with the same people most nights but I think that's a good thing (especially when you have issues with the language) But over all it rate it as the best 5 weeks ever.
Hopefully I'll be heading over for another tour in 2012 and go back and visit the areas I've been to that I really liked again on my own. (And the Zonda factory :p)
EDIT : TJ I did this one at the start of 2010. I can't recommend going in winter highly enough so much better than the peak season (summer) 3 photo galleries are on my FB
http://contiki.com.au/destinations/europe/tours/163-winter-wanderer
And I'm trying to get time off to go and do this next year + Oktoberfest, Ibiza and some more time in the UK.
http://contiki.com.au/destinations/europe/tours/194-scandinavia-russia
Id struggle to get more than 3 weeks off in a hit next year, especially with my boss looking to take long service leave.
Buckets
14-11-2011, 11:02 PM
There's still plenty of good ones around the 14-18 day mark. Allow two days either side for travel and you'll come in under your 3 weeks.
mav_vlt
15-11-2011, 09:11 PM
im keen as to do one of these next year and probable have some time before and or after to travel around by myself aswell
thommo
16-11-2011, 04:21 PM
think ill be hitting it up next year has to be august or november though, pingpingpings book holidays 2yrs in advance here
joshg123
16-11-2011, 10:01 PM
14 days is far to fast to try and get a taste for whats over there, in a way i think you might enjoy it less as your constantly on the move and getting hustled from place to place - you dont get a chance to stop and stay longer at the places that take your fancy and fuck the ones off that bore the shit out of you.
Im going over for my 3rd go in 14 months at crissy, i still have a mountain of places to see and im still basing myself out of Germany, once i got the taste on the first trip all i want to do is go back and see more
mav_vlt
16-11-2011, 10:16 PM
what do you have to do to sort out visas and shit to go to europe?
also, dont u need to get injections to stop you catching aids and what not over there?
joshg123
16-11-2011, 10:20 PM
EU you dont (based on where ive been), Turkey is $20 USD and a happy stamp from a grumpy man, Hungary is also a grumpy man but no visa, Ukraine/Russia/ most of those places require passport sent away and a fair old headfuck to get a visa.
wadragracing
18-11-2011, 03:44 PM
I did Contrasts earlier this year and it was a good mix of seeing a lot in a short time but also generally getting a day to spend in each city ie arrive at dusk/night, get next day to see city, leave next morning. None of the leaving times were really horror early. Maybe except for Rome when I had to roll some chick from Canning Vale (!) out of my bed after she passed out there the previous night. Hmmm....
It's worth taking the extra time.
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