Yes please stay together at all times. I went on a Contiki holiday and never would I even suggest one to my children or others to go on one of these tours.

Make sure they know basic things like what hotels they’re staying in, so they can find their way back there if they get lost. (Once in Rome, I met a lost Contiki traveller, and all she knew about her hotel was that “it has a chandelier”. Not very helpful.)

Use their brains. I once met a girl in Rome who’d got separated from her Contiki group, and she didn’t even know the name of her hotel, let alone the address. BE able to look after themselves if they get separated.

A definite, rock solid DO us to make sure you have fun. Be sociable and get to know others in your your group

Sorry, just saw this is an old post. I hope my answer can still help others though.

Get them to check out the Contiki website and Facebook page before they go – there are also lots of forums/pages with great tips from previous Contiki travellers. The tour guides are great and know all the ins and outs of and what to do (and not to do!) in each country. Make sure they get all the necessary visas for the countries they are going to, get any vaccinations necessary for the countries they are visiting, and possibly even a flu vaccination before going (if the new one isn’t available, even the previous years can be of benefit). Talk to your doctor for the best advice for where they are going, and the time of year. Make sure they have reverse charges phone numbers to call home if caught without a phone, and most importantly, tell them to have the time of their lives! I met my husband – a Kiwi – on Contiki 20 years ago, and made some brilliant friends.

Never been on a tour but it sound’s like a blast!

I hope they had a brilliant trip. My husband and I met on Contiki 17 years ago 🙂

A good question with a lot of excellent answers.

As long as they a smart girls make sure they always stay together

My hubby and I (before we married) went to Europe on a TopDeck Tour (same as Contiki). They do a lot of drinking!!!! Its a party every night!! Keep a clear head. Its good and fun to have some drinks but keep grounded! They will enjoy their time more if they do not get roped into the ‘party’ scene of it. The time spent in each location is not long and the travel is exhausting, so drinking heaps wont help. Always keep extra change on them as you usually have to pay for the (public) toilets in Europe.
Depending of places visiting, your guides should warn you of the local dangers…example, in Paris don’t except bracelets from men on streets, hide your hands in pockets! They will grab you and tie on a bracelet, then charge you for it! You will have no way out!
In Venice, do not buy anything from people selling handbags in the alleys. They are fake and the police take it seriously.
Overall, it all comes down to common sense. Respect the local cultures, don’t feel pressured into doing something that you do not want to do.
Europe is amazing – have fun!!

Take nothing valuable, those tours are usually share / hostel type accommodation, pay attention to her health, stick with the group and use common sense.

Buy a good quality across the body bag a “SLING BAG”. A smaller one for evening when you are out. Have the bag part in front of you at all times. Pick pockets can ruin your holiday. Never leave your bag alone. Hand it to a friend, wear each others bags. Look out for each other. If you loose your passport you might be left behind to sort that out and have to meet up with the group later.

I went on a tralagar tour to europe and london and we would always meet up with the contiki groups along the way I am so glad I went with Trafalgar as Contiki is not for me

These are generally one of the best ways for young people to travel overseas, some tips would be to stay in your group (safety in numbers) have travel insurance, and tell them to watch out for each other. Visit all the travel safe websites and check for reviews. They will have a ball!

I dont know much about them but i guess you just have to trust and hope that they both use common sense.

I was 26 when I did a Trafalgar Tour around Europe. I was with 58 people of various ages. We saw a few Contiki groups along the way, they were usually on the porcelain phone. They really were partying way too hard. My advise is to enjoy yourself, but pace yourself. Every night doesn’t have to be a wild party. Keep an eye on your belongings too as we saw some get bags and passports stolen. Watch you purses in crowded tourist spots, there are many pick pockets too.

Stay together always and never be late for the bus. Enjoy themselves and try to resist all the alcohol they may come across….sometime they are one big drinking party. Just trust their heart if it feels wrong then it probably is.

Have a great time and behave themselves. Now I am sounding like a mum. Very lucky girl to be going on a trip like this.

Don’t be late for when they leave, cause they’ll leave without you.