5 Reasons To Travel Contiki

How do I love Contiki?  Let me count the ways.

Last month, my friend Alex and I went on our very first trip to Asia on a Contiki tour.  We did their Thai Island Hopper West, which included Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and Krabi and we had the time of our lives!  I am sad that it took me so long to have a Contiki experience, but I am definitely hooked!  I wasn’t even home yet and I was already planning and dreaming up my next tour with them.  Maybe South America or India.  There are so many possibilities!

I’m sure you already know them, but if you aren’t familiar with Contiki, they’re a travel company that does tours all over the world specifically for 18-35 year olds.  They have tons of different options based on your travel style and time requirements.  I have a complete travel diary from Thailand coming up soon, but for now, I wanted to spread some Contiki love and explain the obsession.

I also recorded our trip and my heart seriously bursts every time I watch the footage.  I cannot even tell you how much fun our Thailand Contiki tour was, you just have to see it for yourself!

1. Meeting New People

I absolutely love making new friends and connecting with people, it’s just really tough to do as an adult.  A trip like this, though, brings you together with people and intensifies friendships through experiences.  Whether you do a tour solo, with a friend, or a significant other, if you’re open to it, you will definitely forge new relationships.

I cherish the friendships Alex and I made on our Contiki trip so much.  Two of our pals have even already booked to come visit us here in Vancouver this summer!  It was getting to know so many great new people from around the world that really made this trip extra special.

2. Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zone

I’ve been on trips where I get lazy and don’t venture far from the hotel, or am so tired I never can stay out past dinnertime.  That is definitely not the case with Contiki, in a great way.  You are pushed to explore, get out to see the sights, and yes, experience the nightlife.

At some point in my late twenties, I became a rather cautious person.  Which, in many ways, bothers me.  It’s so limiting and, well, pretty boring.  Because of Contiki, I went on my longest plane ride, jumped off the second story of a boat, swam with the fish, ate questionably vegetarian things, basically lived in a bathing suit for a week, had a water gun battle in the streets, danced the night away, and pushed past so many fears or things I would have overthought and talked myself out of.  Their #NoRegrets policy was my mantra through moments that scared me and it felt great accomplishing so many things I otherwise wouldn’t have.

3. Having A Knowledgeable Guide

It was such an asset having a leader to keep our group organized and informed.  From the moment we joined our group, I felt completely safe and in great hands.  Matt, our fearless captain, helped break the ice when we were all first introduced, made sure we knew important things about local culture, and threw in fun facts when he could.  During any sort of free time, he would have plenty of suggestions for activities and places to eat and never steered us wrong.  He made sure we were always having fun and was there as a resource, should we need it.  It was an unexpectedly appreciated part of the trip.

4. Really Great Value

Thinking back, I’m astonished at how much we squeezed into a week.  I definitely don’t think I would have accomplished so much in such a short amount of time on my own.  Actually, I KNOW that I wouldn’t have because I usually spend the first day in a new place rather disoriented.  Speaking only from our experience in Thailand, it was also easy on the finances.  There was so much included and anything that was additional didn’t break the bank at all.

5. Peace Of Mind

Look, I can be a bit of a ball of anxiety, especially when it comes to travel.  Being able to just let go and enjoy everything because it had been planned already?  That, my friends, is priceless.

Have you ever done a Contiki trip?  Where’d you go?  What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments below!

P.S. If you’re thinking of booking a Contiki tour (and I so think you should), then you can get $100 OFF your trip with the code: PPALIFASHIONISTA

P.P.S. This trip was in partnership with Contiki and the Tourism Authority Of Thailand, but all opinions are 100% my own!  It was legitimately one of my all-time favourite trips and I just want to spread the Contiki love!