Get that Bikini Bod before your go to your tropical destination.

Have you been so excited for your vacation only to arrive at your destination feeling more flabby and out of shape than you planned?? It may be the holiday season but don't forget, no-one wants to leave for their dream holiday with the winter warming holiday layer! Don't forget, when on vacation you almost always return feeling even more flabby because you have been indulging in all the wonderful things about the foreign culture. 

It is a disappointing feel and frustration to be on vacation and not feel your best because you have worked so hard to get this time off in a wonderful paradise. This holiday season it is time to take two steps back to work hard to get back your physically strong self again and drop those extra pounds before you leave for your vacation.

Do you know that 1-2 workouts a week can help you maintain your muscle tone? Even just for 30 minutes can be enough to get your heart rate going and trigger your metabolism's fat burning ability.

Doing just 20 repetitions of each exercise three times is a great way to keep your workout challenging and stimulating. Push-ups, lunges, sit-ups and dips are exercises that everyone can do in almost any location!

Remember before you take that second serving this holiday season that you have the trip of a lifetime coming up with Contiki Tours!

A light workout every third day will keep the flabbiness away! Keep your heart rate up and your eating in check. See you with your bikini bod very soon ready to rock it out with Contiki on the beach!

Contiki... The trip of a lifetime!

Don't be the only one to miss out this summer on the trip of a lifetime! Start saving those pennies and if you haven't already enter into our Christmas Sweepstakes competition for your chance to win a European Summer Vacation for you and a Friend!

Have coffee in Vienna, croissant in Paris, wine in France and pasta 


in Italy. Experience student European travel with Contiki the way it 


was meant to be, FUN and care free. Discover the secrets today.

How to save money during the holidays

Well... as the holiday season is here many of you must be wondering the best ways to save your pennies for your travels. Never fear Contiki is here to teach you!! Our Christmas Sweepstake entries are still going strong so some of you will be lucky enough to win your travels this Christmas. So be sure to sign up, if you haven't already to win your change a a Contiki Summer Europe Trip for two! 


We know that the holidays stretch the seams of everyone's budget, especially young people trying to save money to explore the world this summer with Contiki. Here are our top tips that will keep you on the saving path. It will not break the bank and your friends also wont be calling you "Scrooge" this Christmas! It is the perfect mid-point.


1. Contiki Layaway
Well just like any other business, we are offering a layaway program during the holidays. It will break down the cost of your trip into small achievable amounts. If you have your eyes set on a particular Contiki Tour you can use the layaway program, even as a gift registry service that will allow your friends and family to help fund your trip. 


You can also make payments yourself, making it easier to budget your savings and make payments over time to your trip. You will not have to spend your entire budget all at once.


2. Eliminate the Espressos
Just for the holiday season cut out coffee. It may be difficult but definitely worth it! If you cut out the coffee you will be able to enjoy Italian espressos this summer instead of a cup of Starbucks on your way to work. 


Think about it: $4.50 for one cup of coffee each day, multiplied by four weeks equals $126!!! That is half your trip deposit! Imagine if you cut out coffee for 6 months...$756!! By cutting out the smaller everyday things, the money certainly adds up... FAST!!


3. Change....
Believe it or not but coins are money as well. Too often we think that coins are worthless. They may be painful, but like cups of coffee they add up in large amounts. Money is Money!! 


Pocket change can be painful, but cash in those jars. Bank them. You can have anywhere from $15-$20 in each jar. That will be enough to pay for a lunch out and some activities on your trip this summer!


4. Do the Deals!
More often than not, searching for those good old coupons like your grandma used to do will actually save you money. Looks like that old bat was onto something! 


Perhaps you go to eat several times each week and those $10 purchases are adding up FAST. You have two options, stop eating out altogether or find some way of doing it cheaper. Start packing your lunch or take advantage of the lunch specials places offer.


Alternatively, sign up to websites like Groupon, or LivingSocial to find out ways to cut back on your groceries, haircuts and other expensive necessities. Coupon cutting may be painful but it is definitely worth it! Maybe Grandma will even help you search! Get the scissors and start snipping!


Tell us: what are your tips/ to dos for when you save to travel??

Happy Thanksgiving!

We here at Contiki Tours are so Thankful to our wonderful Contiki Community, our Contiki Facebook fans, Twitter followers who all want the up-to-date travel news. 

We are thankful that the world is our oyster to explore! We are also Thankful for the opportunity to share our love of travel with all of you!

Wishing you and all of your family and friends a very happy and safe thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Countdown to Christmas: Win a Trip for two

While you may have stopped leaving out the cookies and carrots for Santa and his Reindeers, he is still delivering to you. This year just in time for Christmas, Santa will be making a very special delivery. One lucky winner will win their dream European Adventure Contiki trip for two!


How to Enter?
Go to the competition site and fill in your letter to Santa. Pick one of Contiki's five dream European Vacations

Need Help Packing?? How to Prepare for the Winter Holiday Destinations

Packing for a wintery destination cannot be easy! You have to "bundle up," and pack only the warmest items. Whether you plan sliding down the ski slopes or playing in a garden of snow you will definitely have packed the essential beanie, gloves, scarves and underwear. But... did you ever think you may need sunscreen?




Yes, sunscreen! Here are some more unusual wintery packers that Contiki recommended for your next trip!





Sunscreen:
Often in the snow and especially on windy days you can get quite burnt. Since the weather is so cold, people usually forget to pack sunscreen and come home looking like raccoons! The sun reflects dangerous UV rays off te snow so it is important to keep your face protected.






Mini Makers:
It is always handy to have mini things in your bag while you are travelling. Mini Things? What are mini things you may be asking? Well... anything mini that may be handy. Mini umbrellas, a mini tote bag, mini flashlight and the list goes on. They are space savers and life savers! The more minis the better!







The Base Layers: Keep the warm!
Sometimes in the cold weather you need to forget the fashion and find the warmth. Remember, wool = warm. Cotton = cold. When wet cotton tends to stick to your body making the rest of your body freeze along with your clothes. Wool on the other hand naturally absorbs the water and keeps your body warmer. So, warm people wear wool! Don't forget it!


Chapstick:
It is so important to take lip balm with you. Whether you like Burt's Bees, Chapstick, or Grandma's Secret Recipe everyone should bring some lip balm along. Lip balm protects you from windchapped lips. Chapped lips are quite painful and licking your lips will make it worse. So, if you forget your chapstick on this holiday, bet you will be wishing you remembered Contiki's blog when packing!




So, don't forget these easy tips this winter. Have a great trip everyone and stay warm!!!

Get Creative Exploring the City

Contiki Tours is is running a competition for the creative travellers out there. Inspired by the STA Travel Australia's trilogy: Eat, Move, Learn, we are looking for the most creative expressions of the travel experience. We are looking for a person who can portray the most unusual aspects of exploring a new city.


THE PRIZE: The winner of the competition will win a place on three of Contiki's most Popular Tours, European Expressway, Asian Adventure and South American Fever. They will also win $50,000 to contribute towards the budget of their first movie.

For more information about competitions details please visit: www.contikitours/creativefevercompetition




PLEASE NOTE: THIS BLOG HAS NO AFFILIATION WITH CONTIKI TOURS AND SHOULD NO BE RELIED ON FOR INFORMATION. THIS BLOG IS FOR PERSONAL EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.