Welcome to Rajah Travel Corporation!

Answers to frequently asked questions & things you need to know.

Upon receipt of final payment, you’ll receive a copy of Contiki’s ‘Travellers Guide’ – an information book about your holiday. You’ll also receive a comprehensive day-by-day itinerary including full details and costs of all optional excursions available on your tour.

Your FREE Contiki document wallet and luggage tag* will be sent to you with your travel documents. The wallet is a safe place for your tickets and passports, something you’ll want to keep and use again.

* Contiki reserves the right to substitute an alternative travel accessory for the Contiki document wallet.

You should be able to use debit and credit cards for most items. You’ll need to allow enough money to cover lunches, some dinners, souvenirs, shopping, drinks, optional excursions and activities, entrance fees to attractions and evening entertainment.

It is advisable to start your tour with some cash in local currencies such as Euro, Swiss Franc and Great British Pounds.

When do I choose?
Optionals are arranged and paid for on tour. By leaving the final decisions until then you can choose at the same time as your new friends, you’ll get great value as we get you great rates and your Tour Manager can offer personal advice.

Some activities are seasonal and weather dependent as well.

You pay on tour in cash (Euro, Swiss Francs or US dollars only).

Every country in the world has different tipping policies and in Europe, within service industries, tipping is common practice. Tipping is totally discretionary and only given if you feel the service has met or exceeded your expectations. Your Tour Manager will assist you with any questions about this while you’re on the road. The same idea applies to your Contiki Crew - if you think they have done a good job then they would be grateful for your recognition by way of a tip, however this is not mandatory – it’s completely up to you.

Contiki has been running tours for young people since 1962 and in all countries we fully comply with local Travel Industry laws.

On Time out and Concept tours, luggage is restricted to a maximum suitcase size of 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29" x 20" x 10") and maximum weight of 20 kg (44lbs) plus one small hand/day bag that can go on the coach with you.

On Camping tours the maximum suitcase size is 70cm x 45cm x 23cm (28" x 18" x 9") again with a maximum weight of 20 kg (44lbs).

No external metal frame backpacks please, their bulky shape makes coach packing difficult. Contiki reserves the right to refuse to accept larger suitcases on tour.

On Concept tours and Camping tours, you’ll need a sleeping bag and towel which can be purchased from Contiki in London, if necessary.

On Ski Holidays you may bring one pair of ski boots and skis or a snowboard.

Any luggage over the restricted size or amount can be stored with Contiki in London at a nominal charge. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk and baggage insurance is strongly recommended.

At the time the brochure went to press (October 2008), no vaccinations were necessary. However, it is wise to check up-to-date information with your travel agent prior to departure. Don’t forget to bring with you any medication that you may require en route, such as antihistamines, antibiotics.

Do I need visas?

Please read carefully. Depending on your nationality, you may require visas to enter certain countries included in your tour. You are fully responsible for obtaining all necessary visas prior to the departure of your tour. Contiki are not legally permitted to knowingly allow anybody who does not have a valid visa to join a tour. Consult your travel agent to determine which visas you require and how to obtain them.

Schengen Visas
The majority of our tours travel in countries that are covered by the Schengen Agreement which relates to visas. Citizens of many countries – eg. Australia, United States, Canada, New Zealand – can travel in the Schengen area without a visa. If you require a visa to enter the Schengen area you only need to obtain one visa which will allow you to travel in all Schengen countries.

Multiple Entry Schengen Visas
Schengen visas can be issued for single entry or multiple entries. If your tour travels outside of the Schengen
area at any point you will require a multiple entry visa. Tours which require multiple entry Schengen visas are listed below:

21 Day Camping, 32 Day Camping,
46 Day Camping, European Horizon,
European Whirl, European Experience,
European Spirit, European Escapade,
European Contrasts,
European Adventurer,
Ultimate European, European Magic,
Amsterdam to Barcelona,
European Discovery,
European Encounter,
European Impressions,
European Inspiration, European Vista,
European Panorama,
European Explorer, Spanish Spree,
London and Paris plus Rome,
Rome to Athens plus 3 day cruise,
Mykonos and Island Cruising,
Aegean Classic Cruise,
Golden Fleece Cruise,
Eastern Mediterranean Cruise,
Spotlight on Greece plus 3 or 7
days Cruise, Russia and the Baltic,
Russia and Scandinavia,
Winter Wanderer

Visas for Non-Schengen Countries
Some of our tours also visit countries that are not covered by the Schengen Agreement. You may require visas for countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Norway, Sweden, Denmark or Russia. Depending on your nationality it may be possible to obtain visas for Turkey and Egypt upon arrival – you should check before you depart for your tour.

Important:

Contiki very strongly recommends that you take out comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, medical expenses, personal accident, personal baggage, money and public liability before you travel. You also agree to indemnify us against all third-party claims, actions, damages and remedies against us arising from your participation in the holiday. For insurance details, please speak to your Travel Agent at the time of booking.

Time Out tours:
Accommodation is in superior tourist class hotels, ships, ferries and trains. These are described on pages 60-63 and on individual tour pages.
On trains in Egypt, two people share a two-berth couchette and facilities are shared. Other train journeys are as detailed in individual itineraries.
On overnight ferries, cabins with facilities are provided. Depending on the numbers and configuration on your tour, availability of singles can sometimes be limited in some locations. On certain occasions, alternative hotels to those listed in this brochure may be used. Whilst it is the Company’s intention to use hotels of a similar standard and location, no liability can be accepted for any variation of either.

Concept tours:
Your accommodation is a combination of cabins in Contiki Villages, hostels, hotels, ferries and special stopovers depending on the type of tour you select. Refer to Contiki E-brochure found at www.contiki.com for details. On overnight ferries multi-share cabins with facilities are provided. On certain occasions alternative accommodations to those listed in this brochure may be used. Whilst it is the Company’s intention to use accommodation of a similar standard and location, no liability can be accepted for any variation of either.

• Special Stopovers accommodation is mostly a combination of twin and quad share but never more than 4 people sharing. You must bring your own sleeping bag and towel. Stopovers are NOT hotels and you will assist with serving meals and washing up. All stopovers have hot water showers and a bar, some have clothes washing facilities.
• Contiki Villages provide accommodation in cabins, mostly twin share in Europe’s best campsites each with private facilities. You must bring your own sleeping bag and towel. You will be asked to assist with various tasks such as serving meals and washing up on a couple of occassions.
  

Camping tours:
Accommodation is in modern two-person tents with built-in ground sheets and some hotels, refer to pages 28-29 for details. Tents, which you will erect/take down, are carried on the coach. Camping Tours stay in the best available campsites. Campsite standards in Europe depend upon location & country and should not be compared to those elsewhere. Air mattresses are provided but you must bring your own sleeping bag and towel. At meal times, everyone takes it in turns to help with preparing food, cooking, washing up and so on. All campsites have hot water, bathroom facilities in shower blocks and some have clothes washing facilities, bars and shops.

Refer to Contiki's E-brochure available at www.contiki.com for details of accommodation on the Louis Hellenic Cruise and on Croatian Island Cruising.
Cruise companies reserve the right to change itinerary and ports due to poor weather.

Ski holidays:
Refer to www.contiki.com for details of accommodation in Austria.