My Recent Comments

1. Definitely bring something warm to wear. Even in the summertime! You’d be surprised how quickly the temperature can drop off once the sun sets, especially in some of our National Parks.

   Make sure to pack SEVERAL pieces of warm clothing if you are on any of the Northern/Canadian routes.

   Angie on Suggested packing list - North America 1 posted on Mar. 31, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

2. We take Visa, MasterCard, and AMEX!!! US$ cash, US$ travellers checks! No Maestro cards!
   

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   Also, I agree with David. Definitely check out the offered optionals prior to arriving on tour, and choose your “definites”, but anticipate that there will be some things you hadn’t even considered that you will want to do once you have arrived. So budget with that in mind!

   Optionals like Group Dinners or Boat Cruises are often fun because they are as much about sharing an experience with your friends and having a night out as they are about sampling local cuisine or taking in the sights.

   Your Tour Manager can help you make selections based on your budget and your interests, but have the foresight to be able OPT to do them should you desire. There are always several people who are bummed out once they realize they can’t afford to do everything they want to, and this may be their only time visiting the US.

   Angie on How to pay for optional excursions - North America 2 posted on Jan. 06, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

3. If you do any of the optional activities in the United States, do this one.

   No photo that you have ever seen appropriately prepares you for the majesty of the Canyon as viewed aerially. Keep in mind that the Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and expect to have your mind blown by its beauty!

   This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience… oh yeah – helicopters are pretty cool too ;-).

   Angie on Helicopter Flight, Grand Canyon 1 posted on Jan. 06, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

4. Ohhhhh, Capri… One of the most beautiful places on the planet! I could spend ages there just melting in the sun!

   Angie on Capri 1 posted on Nov. 09, 2007 Flag as Inappropriate

5. I agree! I’ve given up on heels altogether on Contiki trips. I find flat dress sandals in the warmer spots, and ballet flats in the colder cities are much better for dancing or walking home at the end of the night, and still look good when paired with a cute outfit. And they are much more multi-functional as well!

   And boys – BLACK or BROWN dress shoes will go much farther than your fancy lime green Italian snakeskin whatever you are wearing. Of course, I think you are fashionable ;-) – but some bouncer at a nightclub may not. Better safe than sorry!

   Angie on Shoes and Footwear 10 posted on Nov. 09, 2007 Flag as Inappropriate

6. Another delicacy ;-) of Philadelphia is the Philly Soft Pretzel. Go to any street vendor and get one with mustard. These are the best in the country! Mmmmmmmm yummy!

   Angie on Philadelphia 3 posted on Nov. 02, 2007 Flag as Inappropriate

7. This is a FANTASTIC tour for a city person. The shopping, dining, nightlife, and cultural opportunities are limitless as each city seems to outshine the last. For this tour, some pre-planning will help you a lot because there are way too many choices!

   Take a look at your optionals and your itinerary – the Grand Celebration helicopter flight from Las Vegas is a must-do (aerial views of Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and landing in the Canyon for a champagne lunch!). Many things you can also book upon arrival through your Tour Manager at a discounted rate. Have fun!

   Angie on Best of USA (Tour) 1 posted on Nov. 02, 2007 Flag as Inappropriate

8. My favorite of the Smithsonian museums is the National Museum of Natural History. Wooly Mammoths and the Hope Diamond in the same building – hot!

   The museums are all conveniently spaced along the mall, so you can spend a leisurely week taking in ancient art pieces to Native American artifacts to moon rocks, or speed around to all your must-sees.

   Angie on Washington DC 3 posted on Nov. 01, 2007 Flag as Inappropriate

9. I have two favorite incidences that both involved Aussies and their failure to convert things into “American”.

   Once, am Australian guy shouted “My THONG is cutting into me! I’m bleeding!” in the middle of the Las Vegas strip… Do you know what a thong is over here? He got some strange looks.

   Another time, I joined a guy in my group for lunch. He said to me “Your hot chips are strange here”. He was eating potato chips – which they microwaved. He wanted french fries. I thought the restaurant’s interpretation of “hot chips” was hilarious.

   Angie on American language 6 posted on Nov. 01, 2007 Flag as Inappropriate

10. London is one of the BEST places to go shopping! If you came to shop, you MUST treat yourself to just a little something from the TopShop on Oxford Street. Am I right? It’s a bit of a madhouse in there, though.

    Some other stores that I really enjoyed were Monsoon/Accessorize, Miss Selfridge, and Jane Norman. But keep in mind the British Pound is nearly double the US Dollar!

    Angie on London 6 posted on Oct. 23, 2007 Flag as Inappropriate