So you're thinking of planning a Contiki Trip? You're at the right spot :) Planning this trip was crazy hectic, but I'm goign to try and make it easier for all of you

www.contiki.com Go here to pick which tour you want to go on. Make sure to visit the message boards if you're interested in finding some tour mates before your tour actually sets off. If you're debating on whether to do the hotel or budget tour, I highly recommend doing the budget one. All of the memories from the camp bars, and all the cash you'll be saving are worth it.

contiki message boards Got questions? We've got answers! This board is full of past contiki people who are ready to answer all of your questions, from which converter should I get, to where can I buy fake Louis Vuitton bags. It also has a good packing list so you won't forget anything, as well as a list of a bunch of other travelogue sites so you can go on other trips while waiting for yours.

handy lil check list Print this out, it has almost everything that you'll need on your trip. As you think up more things that you'll need, just add it to the list. Heh... I made so many of these, kept losing them though :X

vee's website from our trip Here's Vee's site with all her pictures and stuff. She's got some beautiful photos :)

kate's website from our trip Hope you can read Korean ^^

Some things I learned on my trip:

INVEST IN A DIGITAL CAMERA! I took sooo many pics with mine, and it's soooo much easier when you want to share them with people. Just don't drop it :)

GET A MICROFIBER TOWEL! Towels stink if they don't dry, these towels dry super quick, and help a lot when you do hand laundry. You can put your wet clothes in them, and wring to get all the excess moisture out.

BRING A LAUNDRY BAG! You really don't want to stick your dirty clothes with your clean ones, and you don't want your shoes going everywhere. Laundry is time consuming, especially if you have to wait in lines. Just keep all your dirty stuff in a single bag, and grab that bag after you get into camp, and run to the washing machines :) This can also be used later when you're trying to cram all your souvenirs into your small bag.

FEBREEZE IS YOUR FRIEND! Wow, people smoke like chimneys in Europe, I'm so glad I had my little bottle of febreeze to spray away the stank :)

BRING PHOTOS OF YOUR FAMILY! Heh, I made some awesome friends on this trip, and I kept telling them about my little bros, just wish I had a photo to show them :) Also, bring coins from home, Ray and Christie gave me and Stace some aussie money, was pretty cool :)

HAVE A SOUVENIR THEME! Dang, If I could redo one thing this trip, it would be to get a patch from all the places we went. Me and Stace thought up the idea somewhere in Germany, and we missed out on all the prior countries. Oh well, we'll just get them when we go back again!

INVEST IN A JOURNAL! Even if you don't plan on creating a big website, it's always nice to be able to go back and relive everything. Especially if your memory is anything like mine, and you can't remember what you had for breakfast this morning.

ATM'S ARE YOUR FRIENDS! Forget travellers checks, credit cards, and carrying crazy amounts of money around with you. Get an ATM card. Make sure you have a 4 digit PIN or else you won't be able to use it in Europe. You get the best exchange rates, and the peace of mind is awesome. Just don't lose it.

PICTURES WITHOUT PEOPLE ARE BORING! Practice your self-shots with your digital camera. This is where you turn the camera around, and shoot yourself with the big landmark behind you :)

BRING SNACKS! Gum and candy and stuff are a great way to break the ice, and it's great seeing those aussies trying out altoids. It also increases your popularity ten fold ;)

GO ALONE! At the start of the year, a group of friends and I decided we wanted to do something big after we graduated. We all decided on going to Europe. As the year went by, everyone flaked out for one reason or another, and I ended up by myself, trying to get anyone to go with me. I'm sooooo glad that I went by myself. I totally got out of my shell, and exceeded my normal "comfort zone" to try out all these new things. I don't think I would have had as much fun, or fallen in Love with Stace had a brought a friend :P Conversely, if you're with a group, talk to other people! It's a lot funner that way! Also, don't be afraid of introducing yourself to that cute girl standing behind you... you don't know what you might be passing up!

SAY NO TO FAST FOOD! You're in Europe! Don't hit up every single McDonalds when you can be having pizza, or bagguettes, or snails. Try to experience the culture, have some fun :P

LEAVE THE CAMP! Thanks to Woody, we were able to experience Munich and Amsterdam night life by leaving our hostels/hotels. It might cost a bit, but it's sooo much fun, just don't get so wasted that you won't be able to get back.

READ UP ON THE PLACES YOU'RE GOING It impresses the girls. Don't be like that guy from eurotrip though, that's just plain annoying.

BRING A HACKEYSACK Even if you've never ever played before, you'll get plenty of time to practice on your trip, and it'll get others to join in as well. I think they should make it mandatory for every TM to have one to promote group togetherness :)

TAKE YOUR CAMERA EVERYWHERE! That's a nobrainer, so I guess I should add to rule number one, get a smaller camera if at all possible. A lot easier to carry around.

BRING A DISPOSABLE CAMERA There are times when you can't use a digital one, and it's nice to have a backup... Just make sure you use it!

TAKE VITAMINS! They totally help. I'd start up a month prior to your trip, and all throughout your trip. Everyone always gets sick, do all that you can to prevent it.

HAVE FUN! I think that's all I can think of for tips :) Just remember to have fun, and try to have NO REGRETS! If you're asking yourself whether or not you want that leather jacket in Florence, buy it! You'll have something to talk about each time you wear it, and it'll remind you of all your travels.Heh, I mean cmon... where else can you get a t-shirt that says paris on it? ;)

DON'T BRING WHITE CLOTHES darks are a lot easier to maintain :)