November 17, 2003 -- A trip with Contiki (www.contiki.com) is problably the closest you're going to get to being on an episode of MTV's Road Rules or the Real World. Contiki bolts you into a bus for a wild, intensely structured whirlwind tour. The experience can be a little like boot camp. There's very little sleep, a lot of bonding, and a sense of heightened experience throughout the trip. Leisurely it ain't. Fun? You bet. Geared to the 18-25 set? Abso-freakin-lutely.
If that sounds like your kind of whirl, start planning ahead, as Contiki has a great deal for early birds. If you're a pair of travelers willing to commit to a trip between April 1 and October 30, 2004, the second traveler flies for $99. That translates into a savings of up to $500 per person for your duo, but only if you book by December 31, 2003. If you don't have the scratch at hand, it never hurts to ask Santa for a little advance.
Before and after prices with the $99 companion fare:
- For a 10-day trip to London and Paris in June from Austin, Texas, that brings the price for two people down from $4,206 to $3,610.
- For a 10-day trip to Berlin, Prague and Vienna in August from Chicago, the price for two is reduced from $4,018 to $3,027.
- For a 13-day June trip around Italy from Boston, the price for two drops from $5,306 to $4,360.
- For a 14-day Spain and Portugal trip in July from New York, the price for two plummets from $4,378 to $3,577.
- For a 14-day "European Discovery" spin around the Continent in June from Chicago, the price for two drops from $4,584 to $4.083.
These are still expensive trips, but the discount offers real savings. And you can make your trips even cheaper with Contiki's other advance-booking discount. If you book and pay for your trip at least 6 months in advance, you get a 5% discount per person, up to $199. Semi-early birds who book between 4 and 6 months in advance get a 2.5% discount, up to $99. Remember to mention and ask for the discounts when you're paying for your tour.
To Contiki or Not To Contiki?
Contiki doesn't really compete with independent travel, and if you're considering traveling independently, this deal probably isn't for you. What Contiki does do is let you bond with a group of other young people who are often from foreign countries, but speak your language (the company's trips are very popular with Brits and Australians.) Contiki lets you cover massive amounts of ground, gives you transportation to hotels, tourist sites and cities, and gives you an equally reliable "party" atmosphere for your journey.
Because the tours are structured and escorted, Contiki is perfect for first-time travelers to Europe who are skittish about language barriers. It's perfect for college students whose parents want a guiding or protective hand holding their "baby" on his or her journey abroad. And it's perfect for singles who are looking to meet other singles (though there are a surprising number of older twentysomething couples on the trips.) If you live a relatively stable lifestyle -- you're a college student, for instance -- planning ahead a few months can really help you save on a great journey.
Contiki: Love it or hate it? There's no middle ground. Discuss your experience on our Student Travel Message Boards.
