If booking a tour makes you think of crowded, stuffy museum walkthroughs, bad roadside food or a blur of historical sites that never get enough time to be truly enjoyed, you’re in for a treat.
We’ve found a company that is rewriting the way people travel. Since 1962, Contiki has set out to make seeing the world not only more accessible but also more affordable, exclusively for 18-35 year-olds. Gone are the days of endless trekking, rushed excursions and overstuffed itineraries.
Contiki is for young travelers, so you have the freedom to do what you want, while still having the journey to provide the backbone of your trip. These vacations are less about cliché tourist traps and more about experiencing the local culture, food, history and scenery. It’s a great way to see the world. Just pack your bags and get ready for the time of your life.
Contiki is known for trips jam-packed with adventure, real experiences and enough free time to make your own decisions. These types of trips are so awesome because, besides a few optional out-of-pocket costs, your meals, transportation and accommodations are already included. And we couldn’t leave out their managers, guides and drivers–who regularly spill the tea on Europe’s history and hotspots.
Their European Magic trip is a great example, and it’s one of our absolute favorites. Ten days, eight countries and more chances than you can count to enjoy travel as unique as you are. You’ll kick things off in London, ferry across the English Channel, experience Belgium and Amsterdam, hike through Germany’s Rhine Valley, Munich and Austria. Then boat through Venice, check out Lake Como and Lucerne in Switzerland and fall in love with the City of Lights all before heading back to London to complete your trip.
Besides seeing a literal boatload of the best Europe has to offer, you’ll find excursions (what they call No Regrets Inclusions) absolutely free. Take in the natural wonders of the area (at the White Cliffs of Dover, Lorelei Rock, the Rhine River, through vineyards and orchards, on a private boat tour through the canals and islands of Venice and many more). Marvel at architectural feats (like Germany’s Glockenspiel, the Gold Roof, Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark’s Square, Wooden Chapel Bridge, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysees and Notre Dame Cathedral to name a few). Not to mention the genuinely shareworthy: a Contiki-exclusive “Paris by Night” sightseeing tour, visiting a French perfumery and learning how authentic Oktoberfest beer steins are made.
They travel (almost) all over the world, on and off the beaten path. You can find treks in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and Canada, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Anywhere you want to go, Contiki has a trip and guaranteed great time waiting for you. Check out everything they’ve got going on here.