A 20 day whirlwind tour around Europe with 51 relative
strangers played out exactly how it sounds… awesomely! Prior to beginning my premiere
Contiki experience, I could only describe myself as apprehensive, and generally
unaware of what to expect from the relationships and experiences I would be
creating over the length of my tour. However, as I arrived at the Royal
National Hotel in London prior for the briefing session the night before the
commencement of the tour, fresh from a drawn out 24 hours in transit from
Mykonos, my nerves were almost immediately subdued. I swiftly realised the all-round
nice and easy-going attitudes of everyone I was to be sharing my Europe
experience with and my mind was put at ease. The next day the coach was packed
and we headed off on the way to our first stop, Paris, travelling via ferry
across the English Channel between Dover and Calais. During the bus ride we
became acquainted with each other via set of short introductory questions we
had to answer for all to hear… hilarity ensued and first impressions were
formed. Arriving in Paris it was very quickly clear who the party animals in
our midst were as some opted for late nights while others struggled with jet
lag and hit the hay what would soon be considered relatively early. My first
night was the cliché Parisienne experience every tourist must have, dining on
crepes and sipping champagne at the bottom of the world famous Eiffel Tower.
The following night we headed out to an optional Cabaret
show which proved ridiculously entertaining as members of our group were thrust
onto stage for audience participation in between traditional cabaret song and
dance. That night more group bonding ensued as we all headed to a bar situated
next door to the Moulin Rouge itself for drinks. The next day we headed off
early to the France’s Beaujolais wine region where we stayed in Contiki’s very
own chateau which we shared with a few other groups. Whilst there, we
participated in a wine tasting including some of the finest wines from the
region, we ventured off on a picnic up a mountain where we managed to get
unseasonably lost and never actual find the picnic spot, and were treated to an
awesome party in the chateau’s underground club known as the cave, with the
theme being ‘p’ needless to say there were Parisiennes aplenty around… as with
all Contiki parties numerous hilarious stories emerged the following day, but
none rivalled Christian’s managing to urinate in Niqi’s bag on a routine
drunken walk to the bathroom, which he missed by one door.
Next we headed for the French Riviera, and that night into
the principality of Monaco and marvelled at its collection of ludicrously
expensive cars as well as heading to the Monte Carlo casino where some fared
better than others…. Personally I managed to lose my solitary betting capital
(50 euro) in two hands of blackjack before recouping 5 euro on the slots. The
next day saw us leave France and head towards the land of pizza and pasta;
Italy. Initially what is perhaps the world’ most celebrated architectural
mistake, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and a foray of touristy photos ensued. Next
we headed to our campsite in Florence. Our first night in Florence was spent as
the Red Garter, a karaoke bar which was filled by Contiki and top deck groups
exclusively and as such proved unbelievably enjoyable. The following day we
were left to our own devices in Florence, viewing a leather demonstration as
well as surveying the various beautiful squares around the city. That night we
partied at Space Electronic Disco, a decent club located in the heart of
Florence, before retiring early enough thanks to our impending journey to Rome
in the morning.
Arriving in Rome we began by visiting the stereotypically
touristic sights, first up the colosseum followed by the old Roman ruins which
surround it, needless to say cameras were not holstered for a solid period of
time. The next day we departed Italy, albeit briefly, and headed into the world’s
smallest sovereign state, Vatican City, home of the pope. We headed in on a
particularly hot day and being a redhead with unbelievably fair skin I joked on
the way there of the third degree sunburns I would be receiving come days end
save for maybe one of those hilarious umbrella hats… which is exactly what I
found 100m down the road and promptly purchased, and thus looked like a moron
the entire rest of the day. That night another party was organised for us, with
the theme “I heart Rome,” everyone was to wear an I heart Rome t shirt which
was written on in texta with messages. The party was fun as per usual as the alcoholic
heavyweights of the group continuing to flex their metaphorical muscles, extending
their undefeated streak of drunk nights yet again. For some the streak
continued to extend and lasted the entire trip, but not the fainthearted.
The next day we arrived in Venice, where we engaged in all
the typical touristic Venetian activities, visiting a glass blowing
demonstration and shop, cruising the canals on a traditional gondola, visiting the
main square and eating Italian delicacies namely pizza and pasta. Yet again
Contiki’s campsite did not disappoint as the food and lodgings were more than
satisfactory.
To read about the rest of my Contiki adventures, click on
the part 2 post!
Thanks for reading,
Jake
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