Contiki, the world’s biggest youth travel brand wants to encourage everyone to book early for their 2015 holidays. With 7 out of 11 public holidays in Singapore falling on a Friday, Sunday or Monday, one can enjoy 10 long weekends in 2015 with three days of annual leave included. In conjunction with the upcoming long weekend holidays next year, Contiki has come up with five tips on how young travellers can afford world travel and make their vacation dreams a reality, coming back home enriched.
“Travelling is the one thing that you spend money on that makes you richer. For young travellers, the experience will expand one’s horizons and provide a new outlook of the world and other cultures. There are only two times in your life…now and too late. Two main reasons cited for vacation trips not happening are “time” and “money”, so if one can book early for vacation time in 2015, it is possible to take advantage of long weekends and cost savings,” said Kevin Khor, Head of Sales and Marketing for Contiki (Asia).
With 8 new travel styles for 2015 for youths between ages of 18 to 35, don’t let the lack of finances, noncommittal friends, or fear of the unknown deter any dreams of world travel. You can plan your holiday around short travel opportunities like festivals or short stays. How about celebrating New Year’s Eve in Europe? Or take advantage of the holidays in August and book a 10-day Sziget Festival Tour in Hungary. Dubbed by many as the ‘European alternative to Burning Man’, Sziget is one of the largest music festivals in Europe, taking over the picturesque Óbuda Island in the middle of the River Danube.
Simply follow Contiki’s Five tips and get ready to get rich with travel experiences.
1. Pick a Budget Tour
With Contiki’s Europe Budget Tours, instead of just hotel stays, one can mix it up with hotels, hostels, cabins and Contiki Special Properties – including a 16th Century French Chateau! Instead of sharing a room with one travel companion, enjoy multi-share arrangements with your newfound friends and reduce your daily travel expenses.
2. Book air tickets early to enjoy promotional fares
Especially for the long weekend holidays, it’s best to book three to six months in advance for the best deals. Fares usually go up during the last two weeks before the departure date, and if you already know the dates you want to travel, you can compare promotional fares offered by different airlines.
3. Go Camping or Sailing
Embark on an authentic backpacking experience around Europe, while travelling in style. Contiki’s camping tours include some awesome festival adventures such as Oktoberfest, or a 12-day Little Hopper trip through France, Switzerland, Monaco and Italy or channel your inner sailor as you explore the stunning Turquoise Coast on a traditional gullet for the ultimate week of relaxation.
4. Part Pay
Book online with Contiki Part Pay Program and get your family and friends to contribute to your trip! Suggest it as a gift idea for a graduation trip or a birthday, or use it yourself to help budget your savings, making payments over time to pay off your trip. Simply register for your trip with a small deposit of US$200 and start sharing your link to invite contributions.
5. Travel with friends and save more
Save 5% each when you travel in a group of 4, or 7.5% savings each for 7 persons. Get one free trip for an extra person when you have ten persons travelling together!
Single travelers need not fret about extra costs as Contiki can help find a same sex roommate so there is no need to pay a single supplement. In fact, more than half of travelers with Contiki usually travel solo. Contiki packages include accommodation, daily breakfasts and about half of all dinners, an experienced trip manager and driver, a modern air-conditioned coach, city sightseeing tours and all the fun a traveler can possibly handle.
As part of its Christmas campaign, Contiki has partnered up with popular Singapore-born online fashion store’s, Love, Bonito, to encourage young fashionistas to embark on a travel journey with a 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway grand prize – a 10-day Contiki European Magic holiday which visits favorite Europe destinations across 7 countries. Travel fans can follow Rachel, co-founder of Love, Bonito, on her Contiki Legends adventure from the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the pebbled beaches of Nice at www.contiki.com/contikilegends.
Contiki has some very affordable options for travel all around the world. To discover your travel style and trips for 2015 holidays that cost less than US $1,300, visit www.contiki.com. Trips to embark on in February for the Chinese New Year holidays include an 8-day Austria Ski Only trip from US $795, a 6-day Yucatan Highlights trip in Mexico from US $1,419 or a 7-day London and Paris trip from US$1,255. For those looking for a holiday with sun, swimming and good times, consider a 9-day Thai Island Hopper East trip from US $832 in April, or a 9-day Turkish Sailing trip starting in May from US $496.