different? I noticed that the price is slightly better for topdeck...
2006-10-10 22:03:57 · 5 answers · asked by beebee32002 2 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Other - Europe
I appologize in advance for not answering your question directly, for I have never taken either of those. Are they tour companies?
Instead, I would like to offer a little information. I have lived in Europe and traveled extensively throughout most of the countries.
Unless you absolutely HAVE to have a tour group type vacation, avoid them at all cost. Usually, they are pretty nice and all, and they do give you some information you might not otherwise get, they really are a waste of money, especially if you like to see things on your own and not have to follow a guide.
Here is what I would suggest:
Get a euro-rail pass. These are relatively cheap compared to most modes of transportation and trains go everywhere in Europe, from the smallest to the largest cities in each country. You can take a train from germany all the way to the tip of Italy, only having the change a few times in between. The euro pass is usually good for 30 days at a time and is valid in most countries.
Hotels are nice in europe, but also expensive. There are hostels in each country, many of them, where you can stay for very little money. They ususally feed you dinner and breakfast. The only downside to this is that you usually must share a room with others, but it's not like here in the states where you really have to worry about strangers. Europeans are generally much more trustworthy and friendly than most americans I have met. (And yes, I am american myself, if you wondered :) )
For the same amount of money you will spend on a short tour, you can see all of europe, be your own tour guide, and live the life of a backpacker so to speak. It's amazing.
If you have any questions, please, feel free to email me and I can try and help. I have lived in Stade Germany, Nyon France, and Geneva Switzerland.
2006-10-10 22:11:04 · answer #1 · answered by iswd1 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey! I've gone on a two week Contiki vacation through Europe. We went to London, Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Venice, Florence, and Rome and had a great time. I don't know anything about Topdeck, but I can definately recommend Contiki. You get to choose a lot of what you want to do with your trip, you get a good amount of free time to explore the cities and can do whatever optional excursions you want to. My two favorites were seeing a show at the Moulin Rouge in Paris and going white water rafting in Austria. The really nice thing is you don't have to worry about all the little details and can just sit back and enjoy the ride. The tour manager and driver are there to help and make sure you have a great time. I made a ton of friends as well. Just last week I visited with one from Rhode Island and another from Indiana. I made a blog about my trip that will give you a little better idea about my trip...http://kathryn-contiki.blogspot.com/ . Feel free to email me if you have any questions! kbroder86@yahoo.com . Happy traveling!
2006-10-12 14:38:44 · answer #2 · answered by Kathryn B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've traveled with Contiki. Here's the lowdown. Go for the Budget tours. The reason is you stay in places where you constantly meet other contiki tours and party with them. Its nice to be able to get away from the group that you're always traveling with sometimes.
You will also likely spend a lot more money than the published price because they (meaning the Tour Coordinator) heavily pressure you to purchase the optional excursions. I understand they get bonus pay for the amount that sign up. On one instance, she told me I was the only one that did not sign up for a certain dinner (Overpriced Tuscan Feast), so I said ok I would do it, and later I heard that she had told that to about 4 people. So that kind of burned me.
But I brought back great memories and made great friends on that tour, it's basically just a tour for people 18-35 around Europe, where you're only responsible for getting to the bus on time to get to your next destination. Lots of drinking and sex so if that's not your thing than maybe find out more about Topdeck.
2006-10-11 08:00:45 · answer #3 · answered by Ryan T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make yor own trip save money and have more fun.
2006-10-11 23:01:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contiki Sex
2016-11-08 06:32:02 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋